Stir fry is a cooking style invented in Asian cuisine. This cooking method is quick and suitable for healthy dishes. Stir fry helps to hold the color, flavors, and nutrients of the fresh ingredients. And the stir-fry sauce is a component that brings the flavors together.
Whether you are cooking meat items, vegetables, soybeans, or tofu, a perfect stir-fry sauce can elevate the simple taste to another level ahead. Hence, learning the stir fry sauce recipe will enhance your ability to prepare perfect Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese cuisine.
This article will give you a guideline and necessary tips to prepare a perfect stir-fry sauce that you can use in various Asian dishes to transform the taste. Additionally, we will tell you how you can easily adjust the flavor according to your taste buds.
Ingredients for Stir Fry Sauce
There could be various ways to prepare the homemade stir-fry sauce. We will tell you the easiest but most effective recipe for Asian stir-fry sauce. Let me tell you the basic ingredients for the recipe.
- Soy Sauce – ¼ cup
Soy sauce provides saltiness and umami flavors.
- Oyster Sauce – 1 tablespoon
It adds depth and savory richness.
- Rice Vinegar – 1 tablespoon
Rice vinegar makes the pH in acidic form. It helps in preservation.
- Sesame Oil – 1 teaspoon
Sesame oil adds a nutty and aromatic flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey – 1 tablespoon
You can use brown sugar or honey for sweetness to balance the spicy flavor.
- Cornstarch – 1 teaspoon
Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce to get the desirable consistency.
- Water – ¼ cup
It is to adjust the consistency.
- Minced Garlic – 1-2 cloves
Garlic adds a satisfying flavor to the sauce.
- Grated Ginger – 1 teaspoon
It adds a zesty warmth.
- Chili Paste or Sriracha (Optional) – 1 teaspoon
If you want to make the sauce spicy, you can add chili paste or readymade Sriracha sauce.
How to Make Stir Fry Sauce: 7 Easy Steps
We come with a simple stir-fry sauce recipe with 7 easy steps. Let us discuss the steps in detail.
Step 1: Combine the Liquids Ingredients
The first step is to combine all the liquid ingredients in a bowl.
- Take a large bowl.
- Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and water in the bowl.
- Stir the mixture using a spoon or whisk.
Step 2: Add Sweetener
After combining the liquid ingredients, add the brown sugar or honey to the mixture. It will balance the tanginess and spiciness.
Step 3: Mix the Chopped Onion & Minced Garlic
Now, add the chopped onion and minced garlic into the liquid mixture. After adding the onion and garlic, rest the mixture for a few minutes so that the flavors of onion and garlic infuse with the solution properly.
Step 4: Add Cornstarch Solution to Thicken the Sauce
The solution of the sweet and savory stir-fry sauce is ready. It’s time to add the thickening agent to thicken the consistency.
- Take a separate small bowl.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of water.
- Then, add the slurry to the sauce solution.
- Stir the sauce.
- Make sure that proper consistency is achieved.
Step 5: Taste & Adjust
Taste the sauce mixture. You can add seasoning ingredients to adjust the taste and flavors if you want to customize the sauce. How you can adjust the flavors, we will discuss these strategies in another section of this article.
Step 6: Simmer the Sauce
- Now, simmer the sauce over medium heat for 2 – 5 minutes.
- Don’t forget to stir continuously.
Simmering will increase the shelf life of the sauce and also help in getting desired thickness and glossiness.
Step 7: Serve & Store
The sauce is ready to enjoy.
- Serve the sauce with various dishes.
- You can store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to Adjust Flavors of the Quick Stir Fry Sauce
We have already mentioned the garlic ginger stir-fry sauce above. In this section, we will tell you some useful strategies to adjust the flavors according to your taste.
- For More Saltiness
You can add some extra soy sauce or 1 teaspoon of fish sauce to the sauce.
- For More Tanginess
If you want to make the sauce tangier, you can add more rice vinegar or a tablespoon of squeezed lime juice to the sauce.
- For More Spiciness
You can add more Sriracha, crushed red pepper flakes, or any hot sauce to get a spicier soy sauce-based stir-fry sauce.
- For More Sweetness
Similarly, if you want to reduce the spiciness and tanginess, you can add more sugar, honey, or maple syrup to the sauce.
Uses of Stir Fry Sauce in Various Dishes
There are versatile uses of stir-fry sauce. We will describe 4 effective ideas for using the stir-fry sauce.
- Meat Dishes
The savory, spicy stir-fry sauce goes perfectly with chicken, poultry, pork, shrimp, or beef. You can marinate the meat with the sauce; it will help to bring the natural flavors. Then, cook the meat. You can also pour the sauce on cooked meat as dressing.
- Vegetable Stir Fry Sauce
The tangy and spicy stir-fry sauce is a perfect combination for vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and carrots. You can use the sauce on over-boiled or sautéed vegetables, and enjoy tasty veggies which is healthy.
- Noodles
You can use the stir-fry sauce as noodle seasoning. Just boil the noodles and combine them with the homemade stir-fry sauce. Then, enjoy spicy, tangy, and savory noodles.
- Tofu & Tempeh
Tofu and tempeh are good protein items for vegetarian people. You can season tofu and tempeh with the delicious stir-fry sauce. You can marinate the tofu with the sauce and then roast or sallow-fry them to enjoy yummy tofu.
FAQs
Can I Make Stir-fry Sauce in Advance?
Yes, you can make stir-fry sauce in advance. Additionally, aging the sauce can enrich the flavors. So, you can make the stir-fry sauce and store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you keep the sauce in the refrigerator, you can use the sauce for up to 5 – 7 days. But, if you freeze the sauce, you can use the sauce for up to 3 months.
What is the Best Thickener for Stir-fry Sauce?
Thickeners are used to thicken the stir-fry sauce. We have used cornstarch as a thickener in our recipe. There are some alternative options also. Therefore, cornstarch, arrowroot powder, flour, and tapioca starch are the best thickener for stir-fry sauce.
How Do I Balance Sweet and Salty Flavors in a Stir-fry Sauce?
You can add brown sugar or honey to bring sweetness and soy sauce for salty flavor. According to our experts, it is recommended to use 2 parts salty and 1 part sweetener.
After preparing the sauce, if you find out that it is too salty or sweet, you can add some extra rice vinegar or lime juice to balance the salt and tang.
Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar or Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Cornstarch
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1-2 Cloves Minced Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Grated Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Chili Paste or Sriracha Optional
Instructions
- First, collect all the required ingredients and measure them accurately
- Then, combine all the liquid ingredients in a bowl
- Add sweeteners and chopped onion, and minced garlic
- Rest the mixture for about 5 minutes
- Then, prepare the solution of cornstarch in a separate bowl
- Add the solution of cornstarch to thicken the sauce
- Now, taste the sauce and adjust if necessary
- Lastly, simmer the sauce for 2 – 3 minutes to get the perfect stir fry sauce with smooth and glossy texture
- Serve the sauce or store the sauce in the refrigerator
Nutrition
Conclusion
Stir fry sauce is a useful sauce that can help you prepare various delicious Asian food items quickly and easily. The interesting thing is that you can use this sauce to season both vegetarian items and non-vegetarian items.
We have tried to present a proper guideline for making the customized stir fry sauce recipe at home. You can experiment with ingredients to enhance the flavor. Once you prepare the sauce at home, you can store the sauce, then you can make delicious Asian cuisine using the sauce.
