7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (2024)

By: Denise Bustard142 Comments
Posted: 4/8/21Updated: 4/8/21

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These SEVEN easy stir fry sauce recipes add so much flavor to your dinner! They are easy to prep with pantry staples, and you can even freeze them for later.

Stir fry does not just mean teriyaki (though I do love teriyaki!). There are so many ways to get creative, and the good news is that all you need are some simple ingredients- you probably already have them in your pantry!

7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (1)

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Whether you cook chicken, beef or tofu, these stir fry sauces will add a ton of flavor. Sweet, savory, sour, or spicy, the flavors you can build are amazing. Serve it up with a batch of perfectly fluffy rice to complete your meal!

Reasons you'll ♡ these sauces

  • they are unique
  • they're ready in 5 minutes and made with 'regular' pantry ingredients (nothing too weird!)
  • they can be made ahead and even frozen
  • would make a fantastic gift!

Recipe video

Watch the video belowto see exactly how I prepped four of these Stir Fry Sauce Recipes. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on myYouTube channel, or onFacebook.

How to use these sauces

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The recipes in this post were tested using the following 'stir fry formula':

  • 2 large chicken breasts (cubed)
  • 4-6 cups veggies
  • 1 cup uncooked rice (2 cups cooked).

You are welcome to increase the amount of meat in the recipe, but I wouldn't alter the rice without increasing the sauce. The sauce: rice ratio is pretty important 😉

Following this stir fry formula, you are going to get a serving of healthy protein, 3 servings of veggies, and one serving of grains. And a super delicious dinner!

Ingredient notes

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  • soy sauce- adds saltiness and umami to the sauce; also adds body. Swap for tamari, coconut aminos or liquid soy seasoning for gluten-free alternatives.
  • sweetener- honey, maple syrup and brown sugar are commonly used; low carb or alternative sweeteners have not been tested in these recipes.
  • acid- lemon or lime juice add a touch of sourness, building in flavor complexity that balances the salty and sweetness.
  • aromatics- ginger and garlic are commonly used to build aroma and depth of flavor into your stir fry sauce.
  • spicy ingredients- red pepper flakes are commonly used to build spice in a controlled way; fresh peppers such as Thai red chiles are also used (though their spice levels can be more difficult to control as it varies between chiles). Sriracha is also used.
  • cornstarch- used to thicken some sauces, it helps the sauce stick to the meat and vegetables, enhancing the flavor.

How to cook a stir fry

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1. Prep ingredients & sauce- For the most organized and enjoyable cooking experience, shake up your sauce, chop up all your vegetables and your protein up before you begin cooking.

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2. Cook veggies first- Add oil to a large pan and heat over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until hard veggies like carrots or broccoli are softened. Add tender veggies like bok choy or bean sprouts during the last minute of cooking, to just soften. Remove the veggies from the pan (transfer to a large clean bowl).

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3. Cook protein last- Add more oil to the pan, then add your protein (whether chicken, beef, tofu or shrimp). Cook until your protein is cooked through. This will depend on the type of protein you are cooking.

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4. Add the sauce and thicken- Once the protein is cooked through, add the sauce to the pan, and heat through. Some sauces which contain cornstarch will bubble and thicken. Add the veggies back, toss everything up, and serve.

FAQ

How many servings do these stir fry sauces make?

Each recipe serves 4 and is meant to go with 1 lb of protein, 4-6 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of cooked rice. You can increase the serving size by clicking and dragging the serving size number on the recipe card.

How long do these sauces last for?

You can make them ahead and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.

What are the best ingredients to use in stir fry?

For proteins- chicken thighs or breast (cubed); ground beef, flank steak, shrimp, tofu. For vegetables- sliced carrots, bell peppers, broccoli or cauliflower, snow or snap peas, onions, bok choy.

7 Stir fry sauces

The ingredient amounts for each sauce is listed in the recipe card below. Here are the best ingredients to use with each stir fry sauce. These are just suggestions! Get creative and use what you have in the fridge.

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  • 7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (15)
  • 7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (16)
  • 7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (17)
  • 7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (18)
  • 7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (19)
  1. Honey Sriracha- protein: chicken, tofu; veggies: bok choy, carrots; garnish: sesame seeds, cashews, green onions
  2. 5 Spice Mango- protein: chicken, ground pork; veggies: bell peppers, cabbage, bean sprouts; garnish: cashews, cilantro, basil
  3. Lemon Sesame- veggies: asparagus, broccoli; protein: chicken, tofu; garnishes: sesame seeds, green onions
  4. Thai Lime & Basil- veggies: protein: beef (steak, ground beef), chicken; peas (snow or sugar snap), broccoli; garnish: BASIL, crushed peanuts
  5. Maple Ginger- vegetables: protein: chicken, ground pork, tofu; squash (butternut, delicata), kale; garnish: cashews
  6. Coconut Sweet Chili- protein: chicken, shrimp; vegetables: cauliflower, green beans; garnish: cashews, cilantro
  7. Hoisin Peanut- protein: chicken, shrimp; veggies: bell peppers, carrots; garnish: peanuts, cilantro

More stir fry recipes

  • Easy Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir Fry
  • Vegan Teriyaki Stir Fry
  • Mongolian Beef Meal Prep
  • Firecracker Chicken Meal Prep
  • Instant Pot Coconut Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry
  • Lemon Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
  • Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry
  • Honey Sriracha Chicken Stir Fry
  • Maple Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes)

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (25)

7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes

4.67 from 63 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Print Rate

These SEVEN easy stir fry sauce recipes add so much flavor to your dinner! They are easy to prep with pantry staples, and you can even freeze them for later.

Ingredients

Coconut Sweet Chili

  • 200 mL coconut milk full fat, ½ can or mini can
  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes

Maple Ginger

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 5 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste
  • 2 tablespoons ginger grated finely
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Thai Lime & Basil

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • juice of 2 limes 3 tablespoons
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • optional: 1 Thai chili chopped (remove seeds for a less spicy version)
  • 1 bunch basil leaves (add fresh)

Lemon Sesame

  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 lemon juiced; 2.5 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Hoisin Peanut

  • ¼ cup peanut butter creamy
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes

5 Spice Mango

  • 1 cup mango cubes
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese 5-Spice

Honey Sriracha

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1-3 teaspoons sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon ginger finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Shake together all ingredients. 5 Spice Mango sauce- puree with an immersion blender.

  • Use immediately or freeze for up to 3 months.

To cook the stir fry/use the sauce:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan or a wok. Add 4-6 cups of veggies such as bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, snap peas. Cook for 5 or so minutes, until tender but crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside.

  • Add another 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Cook 1 lb of chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces) for 5-7 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.

  • Add the entire batch of stir fry sauce (thawed completely if you froze it). Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Anything with cornstarch should be thickened at this point.

  • Return the veggies to the pan and toss everything to coat in the sauce.

  • Serve over rice.

Tips:

1- to make these sauces gluten-free, you should swap soy sauce for tamari, coconut aminos or liquid soy seasoning

2- in general, honey, maple syrup and brown sugar are interchangeable in equal amounts

3- cornstarch should be interchangeable with ½ the volume of arrowroot starch

Hoisin Peanut- just heat it through quickly when adding to the pan so it doesn't dry out

Lime Basil- do not add the basil directly to the sauce, add it to the stir fry just before serving.

Storage

Add the cornstarch to the sauce before storing; let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes when removing from the fridge, and shake it up really well before adding to the pan.

  • store in the fridge for up to 1 week
  • freeze for up to 3 months

Nutritional information is for one serving of the sweet chili coconut stir fry sauce (¼ of the batch).

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 batch sweet chili coconut, Calories: 63kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 663mg, Sugar: 4g

Author: Denise Bustard

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Chinese

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Sarah Penny says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (32)
    Hello, I think I love you! I've been looking for A+ (and easy!) stir-fry recipes for ages and this post ticked every box imaginable for me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this info - brilliant! So glad I discovered you. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Sarah, you are very welcome. We are very happy to hear you found us.

      Reply

  2. Molly says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (33)
    I made the Lemon Sesame sauce tonight because my husband asked for a stir fry sauce that wasn't too heavy with flavor. This totally hit the spot! We both loved it and so did our 2.5 year old son. Can't wait to try the other sauces as well!

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Molly, so glad this hit the spot, and the whole family enjoyed! Thanks for leaving a rating and review - hope you enjoy all the other flavors just as much!

      Reply

  3. Richard says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (34)
    These are my go to recipes. So simple but why use such backwards measuring units.

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Richard, glad to hear you've enjoyed these stir fry sauce recipes! Was there a measurement in particular that you're referring to? All measurements are listed in the recipe card, but we'd love to help you out if needed.

      Reply

  4. Liz says

    I just LOVE having one place to get 7 options for stir fry sauce recipes!!
    Could these be canned using a proper canning process and given away as Christmas gifts?

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Liz, we haven't tested canning and of these recipes, however, they do store well in the fridge (up to 1 week) or in the freezer (up to 3 months)! Sorry we can't provide any feedback on canning - if you do try it, be sure to let us know how it works!

      Reply

  5. Ree says

    Hello… just a quick question - 1lb = 0.45kgs roughly anyway. Would that be half a kilo? I’m so confused 😂🤦‍♀️

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Ree, Correct. 1 lb would be 0.45 kilograms. So if you round up then yes, roughly half a kilo. I hope this helps!

      Reply

  6. Cain Wellings says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (35)
    Hi, just tried the maple ginger and it's fantastic, so quick and easy and loads of original flavour. Love my stir fry, and used to using shop bought (full of sugar) sauces, but these are so quick and easy, I can really get away from shop bought. Have made then all and have then in the freezer, can't wait to try the next one, hmmmm but which one.

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Cain, we're so glad you enjoyed the maple ginger stir fry sauce. These are a great sub for store-bought sauces - so flavorful and easy to prepare too! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Gail Busuttil says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (36)
    I made the maple ginger sauce
    Absolutely beautiful and felt so good making my own sauce rather than buying them
    I hadn't felt confident to try making my own but your recipes
    have changed all that
    Thanks so much for sharing and allowing your recipes to be printed
    Can't wait to try more
    Regards and thanks

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Gail! Way to go, I'm so happy to hear the recipes have given you confidence <3 Thank you so much for reporting back!

      Reply

  8. Susan says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (37)
    I made the maple ginger tonight. Amazing, I made a double batch to share with my daughter’s family.
    Thank you for making stir fry dishes easy and delicious

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Susan! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the stir fry, that one is my personal favorite! Thank you for coming back to leave a review, I really appreciate it!

      Reply

  9. Cynthia says

    Tried the hoisin peanut sauce for dinner tonight....absolutely amazing. Can't wait to try the rest of these sauces.

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Cynthia! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the hoisin peanut sauce. Thank you for coming back to leave a review, I really appreciate it!

      Reply

  10. Chris says

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (38)
    I made the hoisin/peanut sauce with chicken. I really enjoyed it. Thanks

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Chris! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed that recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review- I really appreciate it 🙂

      Reply

Older Comments

7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the seven common ingredients in a stir-fry? ›

The main ingredients to a stir-fry are: Proteins – chicken, beef, pork, seafood, tofu, tempeh, seitan. Aromatics – garlic, green onions, shallots, ginger.

What is the sauce for the stir-fry made of? ›

Whisk the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar and red pepper flakes if using in a medium bowl until combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

What are the 3 rules of stir frying? ›

The first is to cook your protein and your vegetable separately, and combine them only after both are fully cooked. A second rule of thumb for stir-frying: Choose one vegetable per stir-fry. Finally, always remember to add liquid only after everything is more or less finished cooking.

What makes stir-fry taste better? ›

Sauce is essential to a good stir-fry because it adds sweet, tangy and salty flavors to the dish. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own from oyster sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch and broth. Aim for about 2 to 3 tablespoons per person. (Start with these Asian sauces you need to know.)

What are the best ingredients for stir-fry? ›

Stir-fry vegetables
  • Broccoli.
  • Bok choy.
  • Black bean.
  • Green beans.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Peppers.
  • Sugar snap peas.
  • Beansprouts.
Feb 23, 2024

What is the best ready made stir fry sauce? ›

Best Stir Fry Sauces
  • Kevin's Natural Foods Teriyaki Sauce.
  • Best of Thailand Stir Fry Sauce.
  • San-J Gluten Free Szechuan Cooking Sauce.
  • Maggie Gin's Traditional Stir Fry Sauce.
  • Otafuku Yakisoba Sauce.
  • La Choy Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce & Marinade.
  • Wyked Yummy Stir-Fry Sauce Bundle.
Dec 21, 2023

What oil is best for stir fry sauce? ›

So many different oils, the good news is you can stick with what you know – canola is great! The best oils for stir frys are the oils with the higher smoke points. These tend to be the “thinner” oils such as peanut, grapeseed or canola.

How do you thicken stir fry sauce without cornstarch? ›

Combine equal parts of flour and cold water in a cup. Mix it until it's smooth and stir it into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer for 5 minutes. A general rule is use 2 tsp (3 grams) of flour to thicken 1 L (34 fl oz) of liquid.

What not to put in stir-fry? ›

Because stir-frying uses a very high heat, you want a cooking oil that has a high smoke point. Vegetable, canola or peanut oil are my trustee go-tos, and all have a neutral taste, so won't affect flavour. Do not – I repeat, DO NOT – use butter!

What thickens stir-fry? ›

Cornstarch! In his book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Mark Bittman recommends mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the same amount of water, and tossing this into the stir fry just when it's almost done. It thickens in seconds, picking up the flavors of everything already in the dish and coating evenly.

What goes first in stir-fry? ›

Stir-fry onions first, then add hard vegetables such as carrot and broccoli. Quick-cooking vegetables, such as snow peas, leafy greens and bean sprouts, should be added towards the end of cooking. If using vegies that have a combination of both textures, such as gai laan, add the stems first and the leaves later.

When should you add soy sauce in stir-fry? ›

Adding soy sauce too early can burn it. Remember, timing is key. Add soy sauce midway for that perfect cook.

What spices to use in stir-fry? ›

Best Herbs And Spices For Stir Fry
  1. Ginger. Ginger root is one of the most popular spices used in stir frys. ...
  2. Cumin. Cumin has an intense aroma with warm, earthy flavours and tart undertones. ...
  3. Galangal. ...
  4. Chilli. ...
  5. Turmeric. ...
  6. Coriander. ...
  7. Mint. ...
  8. Basil.

What veggies go first in a stir-fry? ›

Start with the hard vegetables like carrots and broccoli. Stir and scoop vegetables to the side to make room for more. Then add the softer vegetables, like sliced mushrooms and zucchini. Pour in some stock or water and always keep the veggies moving in the pan.

What is the order vegetables get added to stir-fry? ›

Stir-fry onions first, then add hard vegetables such as carrot and broccoli. Quick-cooking vegetables, such as snow peas, leafy greens and bean sprouts, should be added towards the end of cooking. If using vegies that have a combination of both textures, such as gai laan, add the stems first and the leaves later.

What vegetables are good for stir-fry? ›

Aromatics in first- onion, leeks, garlic, ginger, chilli. Firm vegetables in second – like carrot, capsicum/bell peppers, stems of Asian Greens (Buk Choy in this recipe), zucchini / courgettes, eggplant, asparagus, canned baby corn, green beans, okra. Quicker cooking vegetables added next- snow peas, kale, cabbage.

What spices do you put in stir-fry? ›

Instead of a salty sauce, flavour your stir-fry with:
  1. Herbs: basil, oregano, cilantro.
  2. Spices: cumin, coriander, cardamom.
  3. Reduced sodium or no sodium added broth.
  4. Fresh lemongrass, garlic or ginger.
  5. 100% fruit juice.
  6. Citrus zest.
  7. Lower sodium soy sauces (<600 mg sodium per tablespoon)
Sep 16, 2019

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