Name: Mix and Match Stir-Fry
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients: (See Notes for ingredient ideas) ¾ cup sauce4 teaspoons vegetable oil; divided1 pound uncooked protein or 12 ounces cooked (about 2 cups); cut bite-sized3 cups vegetables; fresh; frozen or canned; cut bite-sized4 servings cooked grains; ready to serve

Stir-fries are the perfect easy weeknight meal!

Video

Two bowls with rice and a variety of stir-fried vegetables.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 Servings
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

(See Notes for ingredient ideas)

¾ cup sauce

4 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided

1 pound uncooked protein or 12 ounces cooked (about 2 cups), cut bite-sized

3 cups vegetables, fresh, frozen or canned, cut bite-sized

4 servings cooked grains, ready to serve

Directions

Wash hands with soap and water. Gather ingredients and cooking tools.
Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
In a medium bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients and set aside.
Add 2 teaspoons oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the uncooked protein and stir until cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes, and then set aside in a bowl. If starting with cooked or canned protein, have it ready.
Add 2 more teaspoons oil to the skillet. Add the vegetables and stir to cook, starting with harder vegetables such as broccoli and carrots. (If needed, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons water to keep the vegetables from sticking to the pan.) After the vegetables have begun to soften, add the faster-cooking vegetables such as cabbage and corn. Cook until all are nearly done.
Stir the sauce and pour over the vegetables in the skillet. Bring to a light boil and cook 1 to 2 minutes until thickened. Gently mix in the protein and cook until heated through.
Serve the stir-fry over cooked grains.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Ingredient Ideas

Protein - try chicken, beef, pork, seafood, tofu or cooked beans

Food Hero Skillet-Braised Chicken, Baked Tofu, and Microwave Steamed Fish are great protein options.

Vegetables - use any mixture you have on hand

Sauce - try one of these:

Soy-ginger: 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar, ½ cup water, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. For more spice, add ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Peanut: Add 2 Tablespoons peanut butter to the soy-ginger sauce.
Curry: Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the soy-ginger sauce.
Fresh Tomato and herbs: ½ to 1 cup chopped tomato, 1 Tablespoon chopped herbs such as cilantro or basil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add this sauce with the protein and do not boil.

Grains - try rice, pasta, bulgur, quinoa or polenta