Quick and Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
If you know how to prepare an easy stir fry sauce, quick dinners are just a stir away! This recipe is versatile and can be used with crunchy stir-fried vegetables, meat, or noodles — or all three! It’s perfect for busy weeknights, making your meal preparation a breeze. Moreover, this quick stir fry sauce saves you time, making dinner quicker than a microwave meal.
Why You’ll Love This Dinner Sauce
This easy stir fry sauce is not only delicious but incredibly simple to make. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a flavorful sauce ready to transform your dinners. Prepping a batch in advance means you’re all set for several weeknight meals without missing out on taste or nutrition.
By having this sauce ready to go, you can enjoy a home-cooked meal in mere minutes. If you’re short on time, consider using pre-cut vegetables, cooked chicken, and prepared noodles to maximize efficiency and reduce cooking time.
Essential Ingredients for Stir Fry Sauce
- Rice Wine: Typically made from fermented glutinous rice, rice wine adds a slight sweetness. Substitute with dry sherry if unavailable.
- Sweet Chilli Sauce: For convenience, store-bought sweet chilli sauce works well; however, you can also make your own for added flair.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds an aromatic punch that pairs wonderfully with stir-fried dishes.
- Soy Sauce: A must-have for umami flavor and color.
- Cornflour: Essential for thickening the sauce when heated.
- Sesame Oil: For nutty aroma, enhancing the overall flavor of your stir-fry.
- Tomato Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Sweet Chilli Sauce, and Vegetable Stock: These add sweetness and a depth of flavor to the sauce.
Prepare Your Stir Fry Sauce
Simple Steps to Follow
- Mix the garlic, soy sauce, and cornflour in a jug, stirring until the cornflour is fully dissolved. This will ensure a smooth and thick sauce when heated.
- Add the rice wine, brown sugar, sweet chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, vegetable stock, and sesame oil. Stir well to combine all elements.
- The sauce is now ready for immediate use or can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Pro Tip: To modify the flavor profile, include a teaspoon of chilli flakes for a spicier kick, add a tablespoon of tomato puree for a richer taste, or incorporate fresh ginger and a squeeze of lemon juice for a zesty twist.
Serving Suggestions for Your Stir Fry
- Stir fry your chosen vegetables, meat, or noodles in a small amount of oil and seasoning until they are fully cooked.
- Once cooked, pour the prepared sauce over, continuing to cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickened.
- Serve your stir-fry over fluffy white rice or sesame noodles for a complete meal experience.
Consider using leftover roast chicken for an extra flavor boost, enhancing your meal while minimizing waste.
FAQs about This Stir Fry Sauce
Yes, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to two weeks. Alternatively, freeze the sauce in a sealed container and defrost it overnight in the refrigerator.
Stir fry your vegetables/meat/noodles in a little oil and seasoning until cooked, then pour in the sauce and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until hot and thickened.
Spice things up with a teaspoon of chilli flakes, introduce a ‘tomatoey’ flavor with tomato puree, or add fresh ginger and lemon juice for a zingy twist.
