a sillet with mixed vegetables covered in soy sauce and a wooden spoon

Easy Stir Fry Sauce

This recipe is: dairy freeegg freenut free

If you’re looking for a simple and easy stir fry sauce recipe then you are going to flip for this sauce. With rice vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients you are going to have a flavorful sauce that is perfect for mixed vegetables or pork.  Makes about 2 cups.

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A large skillet of stir fry, showing the sauce mixed in with the vegetables.

Why I love this easy stir fry sauce

Stir fry has been a go-to recipe for me since long before we went dairy free, and I normally make up the sauce as I go. A little soy sauce (reduced sodium), a little garlic. Whatever I feel like adding, or I’d resort to a bottle from the store.

But I found myself reaching for the same ingredients each time I made it, so I decided finally write it down, and eventually, I realized that I could make the sauce ahead of time.

It makes for a super quick dinner, and a relatively healthy one, too.

If you like this recipe, I know you’ll love my honey teriyaki sauce, too.

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A hand holding a bowl of white rice and mixed vegetables in a stir fry sauce.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

A mixing bowl of ingredients to make a soy sauce based sauce, like garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy, sesame oil and cornstarch.
A small mason jar full of stir fry sauce.

How to make this stir fry sauce recipe

Mix the ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients until they’re smooth. Get rid of all the lumps now or there will be no saving it later.

Simmer the sauce. You can either do this in a saucepan (make ahead) or in the pan with your partially cooked stir fry. Over medium-high heat, the sauce will begin to thicken within 5 minutes. Make sure the stir frequently to prevent it from clumping or burning.

If you’re making the sauce ahead of time, transfer it to an air-tight container (I usually use a mason jar) and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Or freeze for up to a month.

A bowl of stir fry covered in sauce, over a bed of white rice.

Everything you need to know about homeade stir fry

What is stir fry sauce used for?

This versatile sauce can be used to add flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Its delicious flavor pairs wonderfully with veggies and meats such as pork and chicken. The possibilities when making stir fry are endless.

What thickens a stir fry sauce?

Mix a small amount of cornstarch and water in a bowl until it’s completely incorporated and then add it to your sauce. Cook over medium heat until its thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and the mixture will thicken even more as it cools.

What can I add to my stir fry for flavor?

This sauce brings a burst of flavor to your dish, but you can elevate it further by incorporating an extra pinch of sugar, a splash of lemon juice, or a dash of coconut oil for cooking the meats and vegetables. These additions enhance the natural flavors and add an extra layer of depth to your meal.

What should I put in my stir fry?

Stir fry can be made up of just about anything, but some of the more popular items to include are bell peppers, water chestnuts, onions, carrots, snap peas, broccoli, asparagus spears, and garlic. Make sure to adjust the sauce quantity to match what you are incorporating.

A close up of a mason jar filled with stir fry sauce.

More condiment recipes

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a sillet with mixed vegetables covered in soy sauce and a wooden spoon

Easy Stir Fry Sauce

★★★★★

4.7 from 23 reviews
Print Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple and easy stir fry sauce then you are going to flip for this sauce. With rice vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients you are going to have a flavorful sauce that is perfect for mixed vegetables or pork. 

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Instructions

To make ahead:

  1. Whisk stir fry sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
  2. Heat a saucepan to medium-high.
  3. Add sauce and heat until thickened, whisking as needed, about 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer to a storage container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

To use immediately:

  1. Whisk sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
  2. Add to your favorite stir fry recipe as needed. Allow sauce to cook with your stir fry until thickened.
  • Category: Condiments
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: about 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 477.7 mg
  • Fat: 2.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 1.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.3 mg

Keywords: stir fry sauce, stir fry sauce recipe, easy stir fry sauce, stir fry recipes, homemade stir fry sauce, sauce for stir fry vegetables, easy stir fry recipe, stir fry sauce for chicken

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Published: February 3, 2020. Updated: September 15, 2023.

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