Why You’ll Love Easy Veggie Stir Fry Recipe

It’s ready in about 20 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
Flexible: swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand and it still works beautifully.
The sauce is simple but flavour-packed, using basic pantry staples like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
It’s vegetarian and easily made gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Vegetables

broccoli florets
thinly sliced carrots
bell peppers (red and yellow)
sugar snap peas
sliced mushrooms
green onions (for garnish)

Stir Fry Sauce

water
low-sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
honey (or brown sugar)
rice vinegar
toasted sesame oil
grated garlic
grated fresh ginger
cornstarch
red pepper flakes (optional)

Additional

neutral- or high-heat oil (for sautéing)
sesame seeds (for garnish)

Directions

In a medium bowl or jar, whisk together the sauce ingredients: water, soy sauce or tamari, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes if using.
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
Add the broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until just starting to soften but still crisp-tender.
Reduce heat to medium and pour in the sauce. Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve over steamed rice or noodles, and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4 to 6
Prep Time: ~10 minutes
Cook Time: ~10 minutes
Total Time: ~20 minutes

Variations

Add cooked protein like baked tofu, tempeh, chicken, or shrimp for a heartier dish.
Swap in other veggies like asparagus, zucchini, baby corn, water chestnuts, or bok choy.
Add extra heat with more red pepper flakes or chili-garlic sauce.
Lighten it up by using more veggies and less sauce or serving over cauliflower rice.
Make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate to speed up future stir fries.

Storage/Reheating

Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Note: vegetables will continue to soften, so enjoy leftovers soon for the best texture.

FAQs

What type of oil should I use for stir-frying?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil. Light olive oil also works.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, just use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.

How do I keep vegetables crisp-tender and not mushy?

Cook on high heat, slice veggies evenly, and limit the stir-fry time to 3–4 minutes before adding sauce.

Can I add rice or noodles into the stir fry directly?

Yes, add cooked rice or noodles at the end and toss with the vegetables and sauce to combine.

What if I don’t have fresh ginger or garlic?

You can use powdered versions, but reduce the amount. Fresh gives better flavor, so use it when possible.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as long as you use brown sugar instead of honey in the sauce.

What garnish works best?

Green onions and sesame seeds are great. You can also add lime juice or crushed red pepper for extra flavor.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Freezing is not ideal, as the vegetables will lose their texture. Refrigeration is better for maintaining quality.

How can I adjust for more servings?

Scale the vegetables and sauce ingredients evenly. The given sauce covers about 8 cups of raw vegetables.

What’s the best way to serve this dish?

Serve immediately over hot rice or noodles while the veggies are still crisp and the sauce is fresh.

Conclusion

This Easy Veggie Stir Fry is a reliable go-to for fast, flavorful meals. It’s packed with vegetables, customizable to your taste, and comes together in no time. Whether you’re looking to clean out the fridge or whip up a meatless dinner, this stir fry has you covered with color, crunch, and plenty of satisfying flavor.