The BEST Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipe (All-Purpose) (2024)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Allow me to introduce you to the BEST Stir Fry Sauce recipe! I love this sauce because it tastes as good (or better!) than a Chinese restaurant, but is super simple. Just add the ingredients to a mason jar, shake, or whisk, and serve!

This sauce pairs perfectly with stir-fried protein and veggies- Any beef, shrimp, tofu, pork, or chicken stir-fry dish. Serve with white rice, or use my cauliflower rice hack for a low-carb option.

My favorite thing about making stir-fries is that I use whatever fresh produce and protein I have on hand. I typically make it once a week in order to clean out my produce drawer and use up meat I’ve defrosted. It takes less than 30 minutes to make a complete meal of vegetables and protein and this delicious, addicting sauce!

Recipe Highlights

• Budget-Friendly: This recipe tastes better than takeout and store-bought sauce and is much less expensive!
• Simple Recipe: Making your own Chinese stir fry sauce recipe is easy and healthier than alternatives, but it still tastes like a high-quality meal! Your friends will beg you for the recipe!
• Flavorful: Savory, sweet, and tangy flavors like soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic are all whisked together, bursting with flavor—all the things you love about Asian-inspired recipes in one lovely sauce.
• Easy Swaps & Variations: Adjust this recipe to be vegan or gluten-free, spicy or mild, soy-free, and more.

Ingredient Notes

Just 8 simple ingredients (mostly pantry staples!) and 1 step. It’s that easy! It’s a for-everyone kind of sauce, and in my house, that’s the BEST.

• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce because regular soy sauce is very salty. If you’re looking for a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, try Tamari (you seriously can’t tell the difference!). If you’re soy-free, use coconut aminos.
• Chicken Stock (or Chicken Broth): I use Kettle + Fire organic chicken bone broth (my favorite! Use code TASTESLOVELY for 20% off!). You can use chicken, beef, or veggie broth/stock. You can also use water if that’s all you have on hand. If you’re vegan, use vegetable broth.
• Cornstarch: In place of corn starch, you can use all-purpose flour, arrowroot starch, or tapioca flour (which is gluten-free!).
• Honey: Instead of brown sugar, I use honey. You can also use maple syrup, coconut sugar, or agave nectar if you want a vegan alternative. You can also use brown sugar if you prefer, but I like using natural sweeteners. It’s really up to you!
• Sesame Oil: This adds richness and depth that is so delicious.
• Rice Vinegar: This is where the sweet, tangy flavor comes from, and I personally love it. It’s a very mild vinegar, so it won’t overwhelm the sauce. You can also use white vinegar in a pinch.
• Fresh Ginger & Garlic: I like to use fresh ginger and mince fresh garlic cloves. It adds such a strong, delicious flavor. In a pinch, you can also use powdered ginger and garlic powder.

Check out the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and amounts.

How to Make Stir Fry Sauce in 5 Minutes!

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar, and whisk or shake until combined.

Step 2: Store for later use or add to your stir-fried protein and veggies (instructions below!).

Expert Tips & Recipe Variations

How to Make a Simple Stir Fry Dinner!

Use this to make an easy beef stir fry or chicken stir fry (or vegetable stir fry with no meat) that serves 4, or check out my other stir fry recipes for a fun variety of options. You can use whatever meat and veggies you have on hand. So clean out your produce drawer and enjoy!

Serving Tips

• This recipe yields 1-1/4 cups of sauce. This is the perfect amount for an easy beef or chicken stir fry that serves 4 for dinner or a great meal prep option.
• Smother your stir-fried meats and veggies with this sauce and serve warm over white or brown rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can even serve it with your favorite Asian noodles. Customize it to your liking!

Storage Tips

• Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, though you will probably eat them sooner!
• Freezing: If you have leftovers, you can freeze them! Freeze in any freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it over the stovetop to use for any Asian-inspired recipe.

Expert Tips/Recipe Variations

• USE LOW SODIUM SOY SAUCE! Using regular soy sauce can be too salty for some people.
• When you add this sauce to your stir-fried veggies and protein, add the sauce last. Cook the sauce for 3 minutes over medium-high heat to allow the thickening agent to thicken.
• If you need a larger yield, click on the printable recipe in the recipe card below and adjust the number of servings. Changing the number of servings will adjust the ingredient amounts.

• Vegan: If you are vegan, use vegetable broth and agave nectar or pure maple syrup.
• Spice it Up: If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes (to taste). As written, this sauce is very mild.
• Keto/Low-Carb: If you are low-carb, use tapioca flour or arrowroot instead of cornstarch and monk fruit sweetener. Or click here for my Keto Stir-Fry Sauce recipe!
• Gluten-Free: While it seems like soy sauce is gluten-free, it’s not. If you’re gluten-free, use Tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Low-Sodium: I always use low-sodium soy sauce because the saltiness of regular soy sauce is overpowering. If you’re the same or need less salt for dietary reasons, use a low-sodium soy sauce or swap for coconut aminos.

Substitutions

• Soy Sauce: If you are soy-free, you can substitute liquid aminos or coconut aminos in the same quantities. If you are looking for a gluten-free option, try Tamari.
• Chicken Stock: You can use chicken, beef, or veggie broth/stock. You can also use water if that’s all you have on hand.
• Fresh Ginger: In place of fresh ginger, use 2 teaspoons of powdered ginger.
• Cornstarch: In place of cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour or tapioca flour (which is gluten-free!). Same quantity for all substitutions.
• Honey: In place of honey you can use maple syrup, agave nectar, white sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Same quantity for all substitutions.
• Rice Vinegar: In place of rice vinegar you can use white vinegar.

Serving Tips

• • This recipe yields 1-1/4 cups of sauce. This is the perfect amount for an easy beef or chicken stir fry that serves 4 for dinner or a great meal prep option.

• • Smother your stir-fried meats and veggies with this sauce and serve warm over white or brown rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can even serve it with your favorite Asian noodles. Customize it to your liking!

Storage Tips

• • Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, though you will probably eat them sooner!

• • Freezing: If you have leftovers, you can freeze them! Freeze in any freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it over the stovetop to use for any Asian-inspired recipe.

Author: Natalie