Introduction
This homemade Everything Stir Fry Sauce has become a staple in our household, transforming any simple stir fry into a restaurant-quality meal. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil creates a rich, savory base that complements any stir fry vegetable, noodle, meat, or seafood you can imagine. My family loves how quickly I can whip up a delicious dinner using this sauce, and it has quickly become a must-have in our kitchen. Whether you’re cooking a quick weeknight dinner or preparing a more elaborate stir fry, this sauce is the secret to elevating your meal. Here’s how you can make it at home.
Why You’ll Love This Everything Stir Fry Sauce
This Everything Stir Fry Sauce is incredibly versatile, easy to make, and delivers big on flavor. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Quick and Easy: With just a few pantry staples and minimal cooking time, this sauce comes together in minutes.
- Flavorful Base: The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and garlic creates a deeply savory and umami-rich sauce that works well with any stir fry ingredients.
- Customizable: This sauce can be used with vegetables, tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef. You can adjust the sweetness or add spice based on your preference.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and store it in the fridge for up to a week, making it easy to have stir fry on hand for busy nights.
- Healthy: Packed with flavor without being overly heavy or greasy, this sauce makes your stir fry both delicious and healthier.
Ingredients
To make this Everything Stir Fry Sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
Here’s how to make your Everything Stir Fry Sauce in just a few simple steps:
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and brown sugar. This will form the flavor base of your sauce.
- Add Cornstarch: Stir in the cornstarch until it is fully dissolved. This will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Simmer the Sauce: In a small saucepan, add the mixture and the water. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Stir constantly to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
- Thicken the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. The cornstarch will help give the sauce a nice glaze that coats your stir fry ingredients beautifully.
- Ready to Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from heat. You can immediately toss it with your favorite stir fry vegetables, noodles, or meat. If you want to store the sauce for later use, allow it to cool, then transfer it to a jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Since this sauce is typically used as a flavoring for stir fry dishes, the servings will vary depending on how much is used per meal. Here’s an approximation of the nutritional breakdown for 2 tablespoons of sauce:
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 30 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
How to Serve
This Everything Stir Fry Sauce can be served with a variety of stir fry ingredients. Here are some ideas on how to use it:
- Vegetable Stir Fry: Toss with your favorite vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, and snap peas for a quick and healthy meal.
- Noodles: Stir the sauce into cooked noodles like rice noodles, egg noodles, or soba noodles. Add some vegetables and protein for a full meal.
- Meat Stir Fry: Use the sauce with chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp for a protein-packed stir fry. It pairs especially well with tender chicken or beef slices.
- Tofu Stir Fry: This sauce is perfect for a vegan or vegetarian meal. Toss it with crispy tofu and vegetables for a satisfying dish.
- Rice: For an easy meal, drizzle the sauce over cooked rice, add sautéed vegetables, and top with a fried egg for a complete stir fry bowl.
Additional Tips
- Make it Spicy: If you like heat, add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or sriracha to the sauce mix. This will give your stir fry a spicy kick.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Garnish your stir fry with freshly chopped cilantro or green onions for extra flavor and freshness.
- Storage: This sauce can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for portion control.
- Adjust Thickness: If you like a thinner sauce, add more water and simmer for a shorter time. For a thicker sauce, add a little more cornstarch and cook it longer.
- Try Different Vinegars: While rice vinegar is traditional, you can experiment with other types like apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.
FAQ Section
- Can I use regular soy sauce instead of light soy sauce? Yes, but light soy sauce will give you a lighter flavor and less sodium. If using regular soy sauce, reduce the amount slightly.
- Can I skip the oyster sauce? Oyster sauce adds a deep umami flavor, but you can substitute it with vegetarian mushroom soy sauce for a plant-based option.
- How can I make this sauce gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your oyster sauce is gluten-free.
- Can I use cornstarch substitute? Yes, you can use arrowroot powder or potato starch in place of cornstarch for a similar effect.
- Can I add more sugar to make it sweeter? Yes, if you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can increase the amount of sugar or even use honey.
- Can I store leftover sauce? Yes, let the sauce cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- How can I make this sauce spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce like sriracha to increase the heat level.
- Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger? Fresh ginger is preferable for a more vibrant and fresh taste, but ground ginger works fine in a pinch.
- What’s the best way to serve this sauce with stir fry? Pour the sauce over your stir-fried vegetables and protein, then toss until everything is evenly coated and the sauce is absorbed.
- Can I use this sauce for grilling or marinades? Absolutely! This sauce works great as a marinade for meats, tofu, or vegetables. Just make sure to marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Conclusion
This Everything Stir Fry Sauce is a must-try for anyone who loves quick, flavorful stir fry meals. Its simplicity, versatility, and rich flavor make it a go-to sauce in our kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a meal that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant, and the best part is, it’s customizable to fit your taste preferences. Whether you’re preparing a vegetable stir fry, a noodle dish, or adding it to meat or tofu, this sauce will elevate your stir fry game and make cooking a breeze. Keep a batch in the fridge, and you’ll always have a quick and delicious sauce ready for your next meal.
PrintMost Popular – Everything Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Makes approximately 1/2 cup of stir fry sauce 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Everything Stir Fry Sauce is a quick and easy way to elevate your stir fry dishes! Packed with rich, savory, and tangy flavors, it’s the perfect addition to vegetables, noodles, meat, or seafood. Make it ahead and store for an easy, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove the sauce from heat and it’s ready to mix with your favorite stir fry vegetables, noodles, meat, or seafood.
- Alternatively, you can let it cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- This sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or tanginess by adding more brown sugar or rice vinegar.
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- You can add chili flakes or hot sauce if you like a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0mg