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All-Purpose Stir Fry Sauce

All-Purpose Stir Fry Sauce
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This easy All-Purpose Stir Fry Sauce recipe adds bold, balanced flavors to any stir fry dish, combining savory, sweet, and tangy elements in a simple, versatile sauce perfect for chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables. Ready in minutes using pantry staples, it’s a kitchen staple for quick and delicious weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water or broth

Fresh Aromatics

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Thickening and Flavor Enhancers

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Optional Variations

  • Red pepper flakes or Sriracha (to taste, for spice)
  • Maple syrup or agave nectar (as a vegan sweetener alternative)
  • Fresh lime or orange juice (for citrus zing)
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (for peanut infusion)

Instructions

  1. Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), and water or broth until the sweetener dissolves completely to create a smooth base.
  2. Add Fresh Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger to infuse the sauce with bright, fresh flavors that complement your stir fried ingredients.
  3. Thicken the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Slowly stir this slurry into the sauce mixture to ensure it thickens evenly when heated.
  4. Cook and Finish: Pour the sauce into your hot stir fry pan during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients. Drizzle the sesame oil over the sauce for a final nutty aroma.

Notes

  • Balance flavors by tasting as you go and adjust sweetness or acidity to your preference.
  • Always use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor impact.
  • Mix cornstarch with cold water first to avoid clumps and achieve consistent thickness.
  • Add the sauce near the end of cooking to keep vegetables crisp.
  • Use a quality soy sauce for deeper flavor complexity.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze sauce in portions using ice cube trays or containers for easy use later.
  • Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain smooth texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: stir fry sauce, all-purpose sauce, quick stir fry, easy sauce, gluten free stir fry sauce, versatile sauce, weeknight meal sauce, Asian sauce

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/all-purpose-stir-fry-sauce/