5 Best Stir-Fry Recipes for a Quick Asian-Inspired Dinner

Quick & Easy Stir-Fry Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Alright, let's face it, weeknights are hectic! Between work, kids, and everything else life throws at you, cooking a gourmet meal is usually the last thing on your mind. But what if I told you that you could whip up a delicious and healthy Asian-inspired dinner in under 30 minutes? That's where stir-fries come in! They're quick, easy, versatile, and packed with flavor. Plus, they're a great way to use up any leftover veggies you have in the fridge. So, ditch the takeout menu and let's get cooking!

Top Ingredients for the Best Stir-Fries: Vegetables, Proteins, and Sauces

The beauty of stir-fries is their adaptability. You can use almost any vegetable you like! Some of my favorites include:

• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
• Snap peas
• Mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, button)
• Onions
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Bok choy
• Zucchini

For protein, you have plenty of options too:

• Chicken (sliced thinly)
• Beef (flank steak or sirloin, sliced thinly)
• Shrimp
• Tofu (firm or extra-firm, pressed)
• Pork (tenderloin, sliced thinly)

And let's not forget the sauce! A good stir-fry sauce is the key to tying everything together. Here are some common ingredients:

• Soy sauce (low sodium is a good option)
• Oyster sauce (if you're not vegetarian)
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Cornstarch (for thickening)
• Sugar (brown sugar or honey)
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Red pepper flakes (for a little heat)

Recipe 1: Classic Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry The Ultimate Weeknight Meal

This is a classic for a reason! It's simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and brown sugar.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add broccoli and bell pepper to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe 2: Beef and Pepper Stir-Fry A Flavorful and Satisfying Dinner

This recipe is packed with protein and flavor! The beef is tender, and the peppers add a nice sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, sliced thinly against the grain
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and brown sugar.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add beef and stir-fry until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add bell peppers and onion to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return beef to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe 3: Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry A Light and Healthy Option

Shrimp cooks quickly, making this a perfect option for a super-fast dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add shrimp and stir-fry until pink and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add snap peas, mushrooms, and carrot to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return shrimp to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe 4: Tofu and Bok Choy Stir-Fry A Vegetarian Delight

This vegetarian option is packed with protein and nutrients. Make sure to press the tofu to remove excess water before stir-frying.

Ingredients:

• 1 block firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1 head bok choy, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce (if using), sesame oil, cornstarch, and brown sugar.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add tofu and stir-fry until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add bok choy and water chestnuts to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return tofu to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe 5: Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry A Sweet and Savory Combination

This recipe combines the savory flavor of pork with the sweetness of vegetables for a delicious and balanced meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced thinly
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and honey.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add pork and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add red onion, zucchini, and yellow squash to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return pork to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe 6: Spicy Peanut Noodles Stir-Fry Add Some Heat to Your Dinner

This recipe is a twist on the classic stir-fry, incorporating peanut butter for a creamy and spicy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces noodles (spaghetti, linguine, or udon)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more to taste)
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha.
3. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
4. Add red bell pepper and carrot to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add cooked noodles to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the noodles are coated.
7. Stir in chopped peanuts.
8. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Recipe 7: Black Bean Stir-Fry A Savory and Umami-Rich Delight

This recipe features black bean sauce, a savory and umami-rich ingredient that adds a unique flavor to the stir-fry.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken, beef, or tofu, cubed
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup snow peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons black bean sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together black bean sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
3. Add chicken, beef, or tofu and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add green bell pepper, onion, and snow peas to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
5. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return protein to the skillet. Pour sauce over the top and stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over rice or noodles.

Essential Stir-Fry Equipment: Woks, Pans, and Utensils

While you *can* make a stir-fry in a regular skillet, a wok really does make a difference. The sloped sides help you toss the ingredients easily and keep them moving. Here are some recommendations:

• Lodge Cast Iron Wok: ($50 - $70) A durable and affordable option. Cast iron retains heat well, which is crucial for proper stir-frying.
• Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok: ($30 - $50) A lighter weight option than cast iron and heats up quickly. Requires seasoning to prevent rusting.
• Calphalon Nonstick Wok: ($60 - $80) Easy to clean and requires less oil. However, it may not get as hot as cast iron or carbon steel.

Don't forget the utensils! A good wok spatula is essential for tossing and turning the ingredients. Look for one made of bamboo or stainless steel.

Choosing the Right Oil for Stir-Frying: High Smoke Point Oils

When stir-frying, it's important to use an oil with a high smoke point. This means the oil can withstand high heat without breaking down and producing harmful compounds. Some good options include:

• Peanut oil: A classic choice for stir-frying. Has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point.
• Canola oil: Another neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point.
• Grapeseed oil: A light and delicate oil with a high smoke point.
• Avocado oil: A healthy and flavorful oil with a very high smoke point.

Avoid using olive oil for stir-frying, as it has a lower smoke point and can become bitter at high temperatures.

Tips for Perfect Stir-Fries: Preparation and Cooking Techniques

Here are a few tips to help you achieve stir-fry perfection:

• Prepare all ingredients before you start cooking. Stir-frying happens quickly, so you want to have everything chopped, sliced, and measured out beforehand.
• Use high heat. This is essential for getting that signature stir-fry texture.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Keep the ingredients moving. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
• Add the sauce at the end. This will prevent the sauce from burning and ensure that it coats all of the ingredients evenly.

So there you have it! Seven delicious and easy stir-fry recipes that are perfect for a quick Asian-inspired dinner. With a little practice, you'll be whipping up restaurant-quality stir-fries in no time. Happy cooking!