Quick and Easy Stir Fry Recipes

Shrimp with chinese greens stir fry — The Spruce

Short on time? These delightful stir-fry recipes pretty much make a meal in and of themselves, with protein and vegetables in one bowl. Many cuisines around the world have some version of a stir-fry, probably because they come together quickly with few dishes to wash afterward. Serve them with the perfect stovetop rice to round things out if the stir-fry itself doesn't include a starch.

01 of 19

Honey Beef with Oyster Sauce

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Transform humble flank steak with sweet honey and umami oyster sauce in this simple beef stir-fry. Mung bean sprouts, tender snow peas, red bell pepper, or other veggies would taste great in this recipe. Chop all of the veggies to about the same size so they cook evenly.
02 of 19

Chicken With Bell Peppers

Lisa Wiltse / Contributor

Both light and dark soy sauce come together to give this easy chicken and bell pepper stir-fry an assertively umami flavor. The chicken marinates in the sauce while you prep the rest of the ingredients so you don't have to plan ahead. Try using several bell pepper varieties for a colorful presentation.
03 of 19

Shanghai Stir-Fry Noodles With Chicken

The Spruce

If you've never stir-fried noodles before, this recipe makes a great place to start. It uses Shanghai-style noodles, a thicker noodle that comes packaged in many Asian markets. You can also substitute udon noodles for a Japanese twist if you can't find the Shanghai version.
04 of 19

Vegan Cashew 'Chicken' Stir-Fry

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Tofu lends itself well to stir-fry recipes because it soaks up sauce and doesn't require long cooking to get crispy and delightful. This stir-fry recipe tastes just like Asian-inspired cashew chicken but without the meat. For the best results, use extra-firm tofu or wrap the block in paper towel and press under something heavy for an hour or so before using.

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05 of 19

Thai Stir-Fry With Lemongrass

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Lemongrass brings a lightly fruity note to this delicious vegetable-forward stir-fry. It calls for lots of vegetables, including broccoli, bell peppers, and green beans, but you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. If you aren't a tofu fan, substitute chicken instead.
06 of 19

Basil Shrimp Stir-Fry

The Spruce

Because shrimp cooks quickly, the protein lends itself well to this Thai basil stir-fry. Thai basil tastes wonderful in this recipe, as does Golden Mountain sauce, which you can find in the Asian section of many supermarkets. If you can't find Thai basil, regular also works just fine.
07 of 19

Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

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Spicy ginger and chicken go together perfectly, plus ginger carries digestive-assisting properties. Try this Thai-style stir-fry with any vegetables you have on hand. Stir-fries make a great way to use up leftover veggies in an exciting way that even picky eaters will enjoy.
08 of 19

Chicken With Oyster Sauce

The Spruce

Oyster sauce lends a lovely umami flavor to give simple chicken a more assertive punch in this new-age Chinese stir-fry. It doesn't taste fishy but has a depth of taste that can't be beat. Dried Chinese mushrooms make the entire dish taste more complex with a slight, earthy flavor.

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09 of 19

Swiss Chard and Tofu Stir-Fry

The Spruce / Jolinda Hackett

You may not think of Swiss chard as a natural stir-fry ingredient, but it wilts down into a silky texture that complements crispy tofu perfectly. Button mushrooms add an earthiness to the mix and they help soak up the soy sauce well. Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free tamari sauce instead of soy.
10 of 19

Bitter Melon and Pork Stir Fry With Black Bean Sauce

The Spruce / Connie Veneracion

Give sweet pork a Southeast Asian kick with bird's eye chiles, bitter melon, and fermented black beans. The result comes out slightly spicy, slightly funky, and a little bit bitter. Try it for a unique twist on the traditional weeknight dinner that your family will love. Drain the beans well before using; the liquid is very salty.
11 of 19

Stir-Fry Malaysian Noodles

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Char Kway Teow, or stir-fry Malaysian noodles, features pork belly, shrimp, mung bean sprouts, and wide noodles all flavored with chili and shrimp pastes for a hearty and delicious dish. Fresh noodles work best in this recipe, but you can use dried as well.
12 of 19

Thai Pork With Lime and Mint

The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt

This Thai-style pork stir fry gets hit with lime and mint for a zesty and cooling taste that will wake up your taste buds. Try topping it with a fried egg so the yolk can drip down into the protein and veggies. It adds more sauce and richness to the dish.

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13 of 19

Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Sweet pineapple chunks, spicy crushed red pepper flakes, zesty ginger, and tender chicken all come together into a sweet-and-spicy stir-fry the entire family will eat right up. You don't often find garlic in stir-fry dishes, but it lends this one a nice flavor that sets it apart. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts or sesame seeds for a little extra crunch.
14 of 19

Thai-Style Stir-Fry Noodles

The Spruce

Stir-fry up Chinese wheat or egg noodles with a mess of veggies for a light and easy supper. Lime juice, soy, and fish sauce gives it a sweet-and-sour flavor that tastes quintessentially Thai. Top it with some fresh bean sprouts or chopped peanuts for extra texture.
15 of 19

Vegan Veggie Stir-Fry

The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt

With so many vegetables and crispy tofu, you'll never miss the meat in this hearty stir-fry. Bok Choy, broccoli, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms taste great together, but you can use other veggies if you prefer. The key to this recipe's success comes in the sauce; hoisin, soy, and sweet chili sauce come together for a sweet and spicy flavor that will have you licking your fingers.
16 of 19

Quickest Chicken-Fried Rice

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Use up leftover rice in this easy chicken-fried rice recipe that couldn't be faster. It calls for canned chicken and frozen vegetables, but you can also use leftover chicken and fresh veggies if you prefer. Try this recipe for a quick weeknight dinner when you're short on time.

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17 of 19

Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

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No need to head to Panda Express for its addictive orange chicken. Make a similar dish at home with this simple stir-fry. Best of all, it comes together in just 20 minutes. To make it even faster, prep the ingredients ahead of time and just pull them out of the fridge when it's time to eat.
18 of 19

Shrimp and Beer Stir-Fry

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This simple shrimp stir-fry calls for Chinese beer, but you can use any kind you have on hand. Baby corn, snow peas, bell pepper, and fresh ginger rounds it all out. Serve it over hot rice to soak up that wonderful sauce.
19 of 19

Garlic Scallops Stir-Fry

The Spruce / Rhonda Parkinson

Sear tender scallops to create a light crust and keep their centers nice and juicy. Simmer them in sauce with peppers in this simple stir-fry. It goes great over hot rice, but you can enjoy it over noodles as well for a slightly different taste.