This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Add delicious, savory, and zesty flavor to all your stir fries and noodle bowls with this Everything Stir Fry Sauce. It’s made with common, budget-friendly ingredients in two simple steps and adds a restaurant-style finish to homemade meals. A must-have in any recipe repertoire!
Stir-fries are a staple of healthy and budget-friendly eating, and this everything stir fry sauce is my favorite way to make them! Not only is it incredibly simple to prep — just add the ingredients to a jar, cover, and shake! — but it tastes like it was prepared at your favorite restaurant.
This sauce goes well on nearly any combination of vegetables, proteins, grains, and even fruit. Peppers, water chestnuts, tofu, seitan, pineapple, broccoli, carrots, mandarin oranges — you name it! Stir-fries are also my preferred method for using up random veggies in the fridge, making a complete and family-friendly meal out of leftovers.
This vegan stir fry sauce recipe is also made with budget-friendly ingredients — many of which you likely already have in your pantry! At the time of publication, one batch of this stir-fry costs me less than $1.50 to make, costing less than half than most store-bought sauces.
If you’re anything like me, the zesty and fresh flavor, easy preparation, and affordability of this recipe will make it one you need to make on repeat. Chef’s kiss!
Ingredients
Soy Sauce: An essential ingredient in stir fry sauce recipes, adding a savory and umami-rich base. For a reduced-sodium sauce, use low-sodium soy sauce. To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari sauce or coconut liquid aminos.
Ginger: Fresh minced or grated ginger adds naturally sweet spiciness, adding mouthwatering flavor to the easy stir fry sauce.
Garlic: For nutty savoriness! Use fresh minced or grated garlic for the best taste. Bottled can substitute in a pinch, but doesn’t have as fresh a flavor.
Sweet Chili Sauce: This adds zestiness without being overly spicy. Use store-bought chili sauce or make your own.
Sugar: For a sweet finish that balances the savory soy sauce and garlic. Use pure cane or coconut sugar to make vegan stir fry sauce.
Cornstarch: Just 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch thickens the sauce when simmered, helping it to cling to the stir-fry ingredients or noodles.
Sesame Oil: For a rich finish! You can use classic or toasted sesame oil for delicious nutty notes.
Water: This loosens the sauce, balancing the flavors. Use filtered drinking water if possible.
How to Make Stir Fry Sauce
- Combine Ingredients. Add all the ingredients to a bowl or a jar with a lid.
- Mix. Whisk until smooth. Or if you’re using a jar, tighten the lid on the jar and shake the mixture until blended.
- Enjoy! Use the sauce in your favorite stir-fry or on noodles.
Jenné’s Recipe Pro-Tips
- Mix well. Ensure a smooth and perfectly thickened sauce by stirring or shaking the sauce mixture until no lumps of cornstarch remain.
- Adjust to taste. Taste the sauce after combining. If desired, add soy sauce for more salt, ginger for zestiness, garlic for savoriness, and sugar for sweetness.
- Remix if needed. The cornstarch can settle in the sauce if not used immediately. Give the mixture a good shake or whisk before using if it has settled or sat longer than 5 minutes.
- Make a large batch. Each recipe for stir fry sauce makes 1 cup. Double or triple it to meal prep or make a meal for a large group.
Optional Recipe Variations
Add your own twist or adapt this healthy stir fry sauce to your flavor preferences by making any of these adjustments:
- Spice: Increase the heat with up to 1 teaspoon of red chili pepper flakes.
- Vinegar: 1-2 teaspoons of rice vinegar adds a light tang to the homemade stir fry sauce, balancing the flavors.
- Aromatics: For a touch of citrus, add a teaspoon of orange or lime zest or 1-2 teaspoons of minced lemongrass,
- Stock or Bouillon: Add an additional layer of savory flavor by swapping water for vegetable stock, broth, or bouillon mixed with water.
Serving Suggestions
Use this Asian stir fry sauce in your favorite stir-fries, noodles, and anywhere you want a sweet, savory, and zesty sauce!
- To make stir-fries and noodles, add the sauce at the end of the cooking process and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- To make a sauce, simmer the mixture in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for a few minutes until thickened. Brush it over roasted tofu, drizzle it over rice bowls, or toss it with roasted veggies!
Storage Directions
- Refrigerating: Once combined, the simple stir fry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The cornstarch can settle upon storage; whisk it well to combine before using.
- Freezing: To freeze the sauce, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight until set. Transfer the sauce cubes to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Defrost the cubes in the microwave on low heat for 1-2 minutes or at room temperature for 1-2 hours until thawed, or add the cubes directly to the stir fry and cook until they are melted and the sauce has thickened.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Crispy Orange Cauliflower
- Gochujang Buttered Noodles
- Crunchy Sesame Tofu Salad
- Broccoli Stir-Fry with Crispy Tofu
- Thai Pumpkin Curry
Everything Stir Fry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp minced or grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp minced or grated garlic
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp sesame oil, classic or toasted
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a jar with a lid.
- Tighten the lid on the jar and shake the mixture until blended. Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a bowl and use a whisk to blend until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of cornstarch.
- Enjoy the sauce in stir-fry or on noodles.
Notes
- Refrigerating: Once combined, the simple stir fry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Whisk the sauce well before using.
- Freezing: To freeze the sauce, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze for 8 hours or overnight. Transfer the sauce cubes to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months . Defrost the cubes in the microwave on low heat for 1-2 minutes or at room temperature for 1-2 hours until thawed, or add the cubes directly to the stir fry and cook until they are melted and the sauce has thickened.
- To make stir-fries and noodles, add the sauce at the end of the cooking process and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- Mix well. Ensure a smooth and perfectly thickened sauce by stirring or shaking the sauce mixture until no lumps of cornstarch remain.
- Adjust to taste. Taste the sauce after combining, and add soy sauce for more salt, ginger for zestiness, garlic for savoriness, and sugar for sweetness if desired.
- Remix if needed. If the cornstarch is not used immediately, it can settle in the sauce. If it has settled or sat for more than 5 minutes, give the mixture a good shake or whisk before using.
Are the freezing instructions correct? Store for up to 3 HOURS?