Stir-fries are the perfect easy weeknight meal!
Mix and Match Stir-Fry
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
- For instructions on how to cook these grains, take a look at Food Hero Stovetop Brown Rice, Stovetop Bulgur, Stovetop Quinoa, or Stovetop Creamy Polenta.
You might also like...
Potato Pals
Potato Pals
This side dish of roasted potatoes goes well with a variety of meals. Simple to make with only 4 ingredients. Add variety with your own favorite spices.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Curried Pumpkin Soup
A one-pot recipe with creamy pumpkin and warming spices is ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Garden Vegetable Cakes
Garden Vegetable Cakes
A simple snack or meal full of veggies and parmesan cheese, with hints of lemon and dill.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
8 cakes
Savory Turnips
Savory Turnips
Root veggies cooked in a savory broth and finished with zesty lemon and fresh herbs.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Sesame Noodles with Broccoli and Chicken
Sesame Noodles with Broccoli and Chicken
Whole-wheat noodles with broccoli and a savory sesame sauce. The perfect meal any night of the week.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
This variation of an old and much-loved recipe can be changed in many ways depending on the ingredients you have on hand.
Prepare:
30 to 45 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
12 rolls
