Recipe: Basic Stir-fry Sauce (S, E or FP) - Darcie's Dish (2024)

Recipe: Basic Stir-fry Sauce (S, E or FP) - Darcie's Dish (1)

Recipe: Basic Stir-fry Sauce (S, E or FP) - Darcie's Dish (2)

We eat a lot of stir-fry in our house. It is a quick, healthy, delicious and versatile dish to fix. I love making stir-fry the night before I head to the grocery store. It helps me use up what is left before I purchase new things for the week.

I just love a good stir-fry. They are so easy to make and can be put together a million and one ways. They’re an excellent way to use up those random vegetables in your fridge that you’re just not sure what to do with before they start going bad.

A lot of times I will use frozen veggies, especially during the winter. I typically use broccoli, peas, a bell pepper, carrots, onions, and cauliflower. The options are really endless though. My husband loves it when I add bok choy and water chestnuts for a little extra crunch.

If you don’t have stir-fry on your regular meal rotation you have got to start adding them in! It’s one of my family’s favorite meals. Stir-fry is such a versatile meal. You can literally use whatever veggies and protein you have on hand. It is such a great way to help clean out the refrigerator and freezer.

For nights that are really busy, or you get home late, stir-fry is a perfect choice. You can put this whole meal together in about 30 minutes. No need to grab takeout! If you want to really to give yourself a leg up on dinner, make a big batch of rice the next time you are making rice and then freeze in 2 c. portions. The rice reheats so well and you’re only doing the work and clean up once.

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This recipe is for just a basic stir-fry sauce. You can obviously doctor it up and add or subtract as you feel necessary. I realize not everyone is going to love their sauce the same way that my family loves our sauce. That’s another perk of stir-fry, you can totally make it your own!

To make this stir-fry, start by making your sauce. You can use Bragg’s Liquid aminos, soy sauce or even tamari (for you gluten-free folks) for the base of your sauce. In a 2 cup measuring cup or a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Set it aside.

Next dice the protein of your choice into bite size pieces. I typically use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can always use steak or shrimp too. The shrimp you can leave whole.

In a large skillet or wok (if you have one) heat up 1 t. oil over medium-highheat. When the oil starts popping add your meat. Saute until the meat is done, stirring frequently. The smaller the chunks of meat, the quicker this will go.

If you are using frozen vegetables place them in a strainer and rinse under hot water. This will defrost them just enough so they don’t take forever to warm up in the pan. I’m all about getting dinner done as fast as possible! I’ve got five hungry kids to feed!

Once the meat is done cooking, add thevegetables to the pan. If you are using fresh vegetables, you will need to stir them around for 4-5 minutes so they start cooking before you add your sauce. When they are starting to feel tender, but still have a lot of bite to them, add the sauce.

Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve your stir-fry over brown rice or quinoa. If you choose to serve it over quinoa make sure you rinse it very very well. If you do not it will have a terrible bitter taste and it will ruin your dish.

I always try to make enough of the stir-fry so that there are leftovers the next day. It makes the perfect light lunch option!

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Basic Stir-fry Sauce (THM: FP, low-carb, low-fat, sugar-free)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c. chicken or beef broth (depending on which meat is in your stir-fry)
  • 1/4 c. Bragg's Liquid Aminos, soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 T. olive oil (for another oil to your taste)
  • 1/4 t.THM Super Sweet or if not eating THM, sugarto taste
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients well and pour over meat and stir-fry vegetables ofyour choice.

Notes

***For a spicier version you could add 1-2 t. of Sriracha. This is VERY spicy, so start with a small quantity and add more if needed.

Recipe: Basic Stir-fry Sauce (S, E or FP) - Darcie's Dish (2024)

FAQs

How do you make stir fry taste like a restaurant? ›

Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, green onions, chilies and spices. These ingredients are typically added to the oil first to infuse it with flavor. You won't need much; a few teaspoons to a tablespoon of total aromatic ingredients per person adds a serious amount of flavor.

Is stir fry and hoisin sauce the same? ›

No, not the same flavor. Hoisin is a Chinese condiment -a fermented black soybean sauce, salty, thick and often with chunks of beans in it. Hoisin is used for beef or pork meat and on egg noodles instead of soy sauce.

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.

Do you cook in stir-fry sauce or add it after? ›

Once the meat is done cooking, add the vegetables to the pan. If you are using fresh vegetables, you will need to stir them around for 4-5 minutes so they start cooking before you add your sauce. When they are starting to feel tender, but still have a lot of bite to them, add the sauce.

What are the 3 rules of stir frying? ›

Food & Dining

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.

When should I add hoisin sauce to stir fry? ›

Toss the carrots in the pan and stir fry for a few minutes, then add the mangetout and cook for a further 2 minutes. Return the steak to the pan, add the mushrooms and toss everything together. Add the hoisin sauce and stir fry for a final minute. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.

How much hoisin sauce should I use? ›

Stir fry: Add a tablespoon or two of hoisin sauce to any stir fry and serve over rice. Noodles: Add a tablespoon or two of hoisin sauce to noodles and serve with steamed vegetables, soft-boiled eggs and a savory broth for a filling meal.

What is the closest thing to hoisin sauce? ›

Ready-made hoisin sauce alternatives
  • soy sauce.
  • tamari, which is suitable for gluten-free diets.
  • oyster sauce.
  • chili sauce.
  • barbecue sauce.
  • sweet and sour sauce.
  • teriyaki sauce.
Feb 2, 2022

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.
  • Otaf*cku Yakisoba Sauce.
  • La Choy Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce & Marinade.
  • Wyked Yummy Stir-Fry Sauce Bundle.
Dec 21, 2023

What sauce do Chinese restaurants use? ›

Soy sauce has been used in Chinese cooking for over 1,000 years. This classic dipping sauce is a staple in Chinese restaurants, as it is served with dim sum dishes and is used together with vinegar, ginger, and chili oil.

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.

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.

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 can I add to stir fry to give it Flavour? ›

5. Add flavour.
  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

How do you make homemade food taste like restaurant? ›

5 Hacks to make your home food taste like it's from a restaurant
  1. Hack #1: Base gravies all the way!
  2. Hack #2: Cook on a high flame.
  3. Hack #3: Brown your onions, golden brown!
  4. Hack #4: Cook like calories don't count.
  5. Hack #5: Combinations matter and presentation goes a long way!
Nov 7, 2022

What gives Chinese food a smoky flavor? ›

The basis of wok hei is the smoky flavour resulting from caramelisation of sugars, maillard reactions, and smoking of oil — all at temperatures well in excess of traditional western cooking techniques.

What do chefs use to stir? ›

Rubber spatula: Used for mixing, stirring and spreading. The flexible end makes it good for scraping the sides of a bowl or dish. 2. Wooden spoon: Used for mixing and stirring.

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

Stir fry ingredients
  • Olive Oil.
  • Vegetables: red bell pepper, yellow bell peppers, sugar snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, baby corn, water chestnuts.
  • Sauce: soy sauce, garlic cloves (minced), brown sugar, sesame oil, chicken broth, cornstarch.
  • Garnish: green onions and sesame seeds.
Sep 1, 2019

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