This easy stir fry sauce recipe has only 6 ingredients, all of which you likely already have! You can use it with any protein for a quick and healthy meal.
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When it comes to getting dinner on the table quickly, a go-to easy stir fry sauce recipe is a game changer.
My version has only 6 ingredients and 2 of those are optional – doesn't get much easier than that!
This stir fry sauce is Paleo and Gluten Free and also works for Keto if you leave out the optional honey.
After a lot of experimenting, this is my go-to stir fry sauce recipe because it comes together super quickly and only contains simple ingredients you likely already have. Double win!
It also works for any protein. You can use this sauce for simple stir fry veggies or with shrimp, chicken, steak or whatever else you think of!
Here are some of my favorite combos to try out with this healthy stir fry sauce:
- Chinese Pork Stir Fry: Pork loin, bell peppers, & bok choy
- Beef (or chicken!) and Broccoli: beef, broccoli, & onions
- Shrimp Stir Fry w/ Snow Peas: Shrimp, snow peas, & red bell pepper strips
- Veggie Stir Fry: Carrots, snow peas, broccoli, and almonds
These are some of my favorite combinations but get creative! I love making a stir fry to use up any odds and ends I have in the fridge – it's a great strategy for reducing food waste!
If you give this easy stir fry sauce recipe a try, let me know how you like it in the comments below!
Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 Tbsp coconut aminos (or Tamari or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp honey (optional)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until combined.
- Add sauce to stir fry ingredients once meat is cooked through and cook until heated and thickened.
And here is a little bit more about the recipe to make sure you're set up for success!
Is stir fry healthy?
Yes! …and no. In my opinion, it totally depends on the sauce.
Stir fry generally has tons of colorful veggies and lean protein, but you kind of ruin that if you cover it all in a sugary sauce. You'd be surprised by how much sugar and salt are loaded into some stir fry sauces!
Using a healthy stir fry sauce recipe like this one definitely makes it a nutritious choice!
What makes this a Paleo stir fry sauce?
Many stir fry recipes feature soy sauce which is (not surprisingly) made from soy, and thus is not a Paleo-approved food.
Substituting coconut aminos as I've done in this recipe makes this version perfect for Paleo!
What is the difference between soy sauce, coconut aminos, and tamari?
Soy sauce is made from soy and is high in salt, not gluten free, and not Paleo.
Coconut aminos are made from the fermented sap of coconut palm trees and sea salt. Coconut aminos are Paleo-friendly, gluten free, and contain about 1/3 of the amount of sodium per teaspoon as soy sauce.
While they likely don't contribute a ton of nutrients, coconut aminos are a great substitute for soy sauce to add some umami flavor while keeping your stir fry healthy and allergen free.
Tamari is also generally gluten free, but has more sodium than coconut aminos and contains soy, and thus is not a good Paleo choice.
Either tamari or soy sauce can be substituted for coconut aminos in equal amounts (3 Tbsp for this recipe) if you wish.
How about liquid aminos?
Liquid aminos are another common soy sauce substitute. They are gluten free but are still soy-based and so won't work for Paleo. They're also much higher in sodium than coconut aminos.
Where can I find coconut aminos?
More and more grocery stores carry coconut aminos but if you can't find them, check out Thrive Market!
I live in a rural area and I know specialty items like this can be hard to find, which is super frustrating. Thrive Market delivers all sorts of quality pantry items like coconut aminos to your door.
Can I meal prep stir fry?
Stir fry is the perfect meal prep recipe, which you know I'm all about!
To meal prep this recipe, wash and chop all of the veggies ahead of time and make the sauce ahead of time. Then all you have to do the day-of is cook the veggies and protein and add the sauce – so easy!
Choosing a quick-cooking protein like shrimp will make this come together especially fast.
How do I cook stir fry?
Making stir fry is super simple! Follow these easy steps to make sure yours turns out delicious.
- Cook the protein first and then remove it from the pan.
- Then cook your veggies, starting with the ones that cook the longest like carrots and adding things like bell peppers later.
- Lastly, add the sauce. Add your protein back in and then add the sauce and cook for a few minutes while the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
Removing your protein while you cook your veggies may seem like an extra step, but I promise it will give you a much better texture on everything and prevent your protein from overcooking.
What should I serve with stir fry?
Rice or noodles are of course the classic accompaniment to stir fry, but don't feel limited by that!
Having something to soak up all of that delicious stir fry sauce is nice, but you could definitely serve this over quinoa or cauli-rice and it would be just as delicious.
Or just eat it on its own! Stir fry really is a complete meal.
What are the nutritional benefits of this easy stir fry sauce recipe?
Not only are you likely to pour this sauce over a big healthy pile of veggies and protein, it also contains some great nutritional benefits itself!
- Ginger helps fight nausea and also may potentially reduce high blood pressure and inflammation.
- Garlic has been used in homeopathic remedies for thousands of years and is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and some types of cancer.
- Honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which are strongest in darker honey. Buy raw local honey when possible as filtering the honey can diminish its nutrients.
Want more recipes?
Looking for more great sauce recipes to elevate your meals? Check out my spicy chili sauce and garlic mojo sauce from two of my favorite recipes!
This post contains affiliate links, thank you for your support of Prep Dish!
one of the best blog ever .bookmarked for the future read
One of the best blog posts ever. Bookmarked for the future!
Substitute For Coconut Aminos