Skip to main content

Mix and Match Stir-Fry

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

  1. Wash hands with soap and water. Gather ingredients and cooking tools.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients and set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Serve the stir-fry over cooked grains.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Ingredient Ideas

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

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

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Brown Rice with Corn and Beans
A seasoned mix of brown rice, black beans and corn is shown in a serving bowl.

Brown Rice with Corn and Beans

This kid-approved recipe filled with whole grains, veggies and beans is flavorful, filling and perfect for any meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Green Salad with Peas
Lettuce bed topped with peas and feta cheese on a plate.

Green Salad with Peas

Fresh green salad, tossed with peas, cucumber and creamy feta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Sikil Pak (Mayan Pumpkin Seed Dip)
bowl of dip with vegetables

Sikil Pak (Mayan Pumpkin Seed Dip)

Enjoy this Mayan-inspired dip with fresh veggies or whole-grain chips.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Pineapple Veggie Chicken
Medium bowl of chicken, pineapple and vegetables in broth served with rice.

Pineapple Veggie Chicken

Chicken breast simmered in a sweet and tangy broth with a hint of citrus, garlic, and ginger.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Ants on a Log
Celery sticks spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins are displayed on a plate in a pinwheel formation. In the middle of the plate is a celery and peanut butter stick with mini pretzels extending out of the peanut butter like the wings of a butterfly.

Ants on a Log

Have some fun with this snack! Peanut butter, raisins and your imagination can be used to fill and decorate crunchy celery sticks.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 servings
Baked Apples and Squash
Diced squash and apple are baked with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Baked Apples and Squash

Savory side dish that combines the flavors of fall.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.