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The Best All-Purpose Stir Fry Sauce!

5 min

Homemade staple

10 ingredients or less

No cook

This stir-fry sauce recipe has salt, fat, acid, and a touch of sweetness - all the essential flavour components you need! Use it as an easy glaze for Asian-inspired cooking or other dishes: simply cook your protein, toss in any veggies, pour in the stir fry marinade, and serve with rice or noodles to bring everything together. We love how versatile it is - with just a few simple ingredients, it’s ready before you know it and adds depth to any meal!

Servings

(¼ cup per serving)

Total

5 min

Prep

5 min

Contains

Soy symbol

soy

Sesame symbol

sesame

Swap out

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (120 mL)
    water
  • ½ cup (120 mL)
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL)
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL)
    rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp (8 g)
    cornstarch
  • 2 tsp (10 mL)
    toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp (4 g)
    freshly grated ginger
  • 2
    garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1
    vegetable bouillon cube, crushed

Directions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a jar.
  2. Mix well, then use in your favourite stir-fry!
  3. Let the sauce cook at a gentle simmer for 2 - 3 minutes so it thickens before enjoying.

Storage

  • Store well-sealed in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

Focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. For specific nutrition needs due to a medical condition, consult a dietitian or physician. While we strive to provide accurate nutritional information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. See our disclaimer for details.

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Frequently asked questions

What can I use stir-fry sauce in?

The possibilities are truly endless! It’s wonderful for classic stir-fries, though you can also use it as a glaze for roasted veggies, a marinade for proteins like tofu or tempeh, or even as a quick sauce for noodle dishes, nourish bowls, or salads.

How can I make stir-fry sauce without gluten?

For a gluten free version, you can swap regular soy sauce for gluten free tamari or coconut aminos.

Can I use regular soy sauce?

We prefer low sodium soy sauce to balance the flavours, though you can use regular soy sauce if you’d like. It will be saltier than reduced sodium soy sauce or tamari, so we’d recommend starting with a touch less and adding more to taste.

Can I make it without soy sauce?

For a soy free sauce, coconut aminos are one option to try for a substitute. They offer a similar savoury flavour, are lower in sodium, and add a hint of natural sweetness. Just be sure to give the sauce a taste test, and add a pinch of salt if needed.

How can I make it more spicy?

You can add a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce, such as sriracha, for extra heat!

What’s the difference between teriyaki and stir-fry blends?

Teriyaki sauce is typically a sweet, thick glaze made with soy sauce, sugar, and sometimes mirin, that offers a rich, caramelized finish. Sauce for stir-fries tends to be lighter and thinner, meant to coat veggies and proteins without being too sticky or overly sweet.

More for the eyes

Ingredients for the homemade dressing on a wooden board, including water, soy sauce, syrup, vinegary, corn starch, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and salt a vegan pouring sesame oil into the all-purpose Asian cooking glaze a plant-based person pouring ready-to-use Asian-style marinade for tofu and vegetables A spoonful of cashews, tofu, and rice with easy garlic soy marinade a plate homemade Chinese food coated in a simple sauce recipe with soy sauce

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Tina - March 3, 2025, 6:08 p.m.

Yesss been looking for the perfect stir fry sauce! U read my mind 🥰