Introduction
I’ve tried countless stir fry sauces over the years, but none have compared to the convenience and flavor of this Everything Stir Fry Sauce. It has become an absolute staple in our household. Every time I make stir fry, this is the sauce I reach for because it’s packed with bold flavors and just the right amount of sweetness and umami. What I love most is how quickly it comes together — making a restaurant-quality stir fry dinner at home is just that simple! The whole family has fallen in love with it, and I can easily switch up the veggies, meat, and noodles to keep things interesting. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a leisurely weekend dinner, this sauce elevates any stir fry dish.
Why You’ll Love This Everything Stir Fry Sauce
If you’re a fan of stir fry dishes, this Everything Stir Fry Sauce will be your new best friend. It’s an all-in-one sauce that delivers an irresistible balance of salty, sweet, and savory flavors. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil brings depth and richness to the dish, while the garlic and ginger add a zesty kick that will leave you craving more. The best part? You can use it with virtually any stir fry ingredients — from vegetables and meats to seafood and noodles. This sauce is versatile, quick to prepare, and packed with the perfect balance of flavors. With just a few simple ingredients and a couple of minutes of cooking, you’ll have a restaurant-quality stir fry sauce ready to transform your meal.
Ingredients
To make this Everything Stir Fry Sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
These simple ingredients combine to create a sauce that’s perfectly balanced, with saltiness from the soy and oyster sauce, a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar, and a hint of tang from the rice vinegar. The garlic and ginger contribute depth and brightness, while the sesame oil adds a signature Asian flavor. The cornstarch is key for thickening the sauce and giving it that glossy finish that coats everything perfectly.
Instructions
Making the Everything Stir Fry Sauce is as easy as whisking a few ingredients together and simmering for a couple of minutes. Here’s how you make it:
- Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before moving on to the next step. - Simmer the Sauce:
Pour the sauce mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer while stirring constantly. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. The cornstarch will help the sauce thicken as it simmers, creating that perfect glaze for your stir fry. - Finish and Serve:
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from heat. You’re now ready to mix it with your favorite stir fry ingredients. Whether you’re cooking up some veggies, meat, or seafood, simply add the sauce to your pan and stir everything together until well-coated. You can also let the sauce cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts (Servings and calories per serving)
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 1/4 cup per stir fry pan)
- Calories: 35 kcal per serving
- Total Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 1g
This sauce is low in calories and fat but packs a punch of flavor, making it the perfect addition to any stir fry without the guilt. Just keep in mind that the sodium content may vary based on the type of soy sauce and oyster sauce you use, so adjust according to your preferences.
Preparation Time
- Total Time: 5 minutes (including preparation and simmering)
Making this stir fry sauce doesn’t take long at all. In just five minutes, you can have a rich, flavorful sauce ready to coat your stir fry ingredients. It’s quick enough for even the busiest of nights!
How to Serve
You can use this Everything Stir Fry Sauce with a wide variety of ingredients. Here’s how to serve it:
- Vegetables:
Add the sauce to stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, or snap peas. You can mix and match your favorites for a colorful, healthy meal. - Meat:
Stir fry with chicken, beef, pork, or lamb. The sauce will enhance the flavor of your protein, making it the star of your dish. - Seafood:
This sauce works wonderfully with shrimp, scallops, or any white fish. The slightly sweet and savory profile complements seafood beautifully. - Noodles or Rice:
You can drizzle the sauce over stir-fried noodles or serve it with a bowl of steamed rice to complete your meal.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips for using and customizing your stir fry sauce:
- Adjust the Sweetness:
If you prefer a sweeter stir fry sauce, feel free to add more brown sugar to taste. You can also substitute honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. - Add Spice:
If you like a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce to give it an extra kick. - Thicken the Sauce More:
For a thicker sauce, simply add a little more cornstarch (dissolved in water) and simmer until you reach your desired consistency. - Use Low-Sodium Soy Sauce:
For a healthier version of the sauce, use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content. - Make a Double Batch:
This sauce stores well in the fridge, so you can easily make a double batch and have it on hand for quick weeknight dinners.
FAQ Section
- Can I use this sauce for stir-fried noodles? Yes! This sauce works great with stir-fried noodles. Simply toss it with your cooked noodles and vegetables for a delicious meal.
- How long will the sauce last in the fridge? The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Can I make this sauce spicy? Yes, you can add red pepper flakes, sriracha, or fresh chili to make it spicier.
- Is this stir fry sauce gluten-free? No, the light soy sauce and oyster sauce contain gluten. However, you can use gluten-free soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
- Can I substitute the oyster sauce? If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can use hoisin sauce or a vegetarian oyster sauce as a substitute.
- Can I use fresh ginger instead of grated ginger? Yes, fresh ginger works perfectly. Just make sure it’s finely grated or minced to avoid large pieces in your sauce.
- How do I adjust the sauce for different stir fry portions? For every 3-4 servings, use about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sauce. Feel free to adjust based on your taste preferences.
- Can I freeze this stir fry sauce? Yes, you can freeze the sauce. Let it cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and store it for up to 3 months. Thaw before using.
- Can I use this sauce for a marinade? Absolutely! This sauce makes a great marinade for meats or tofu. Just let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. It will save you time when preparing stir fry later in the week.
Conclusion
This Everything Stir Fry Sauce is a versatile, easy-to-make, and flavorful addition to your cooking repertoire. Whether you’re making stir fry for a quick dinner or meal prepping for the week, this sauce will quickly become your go-to. It’s a restaurant-quality sauce that’s simple enough to make at home, and it pairs well with virtually anything you throw in the wok or skillet. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought sauces again!
PrintEverything Stir Fry Sauce
Keep this easy homemade Stir Fry Sauce on hand and make a restaurant-quality Asian stir fry dinner at home. It’s perfect on everything from vegetables to noodles, meats, or seafood. A versatile, delicious sauce that takes your stir fry dishes to the next level!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 1/2 cup (enough for 3–4 servings of stir fry) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and the rest of the ingredients.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and your sauce is ready to mix with your favorite stir fry vegetables, noodles, meat, or seafood.
- Alternatively, let it cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sauce per pan of stir fry (about 3-4 servings).
- This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg