Instructions for all Stir-Fry sauces
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl, whisk to thoroughly combine, then add to your stir fry. Don’t miss the tips at the bottom of the recipe list, as well.
Ingredients
Lemon Stir-Fry Sauce
(shrimp and/or scallops, as well as chicken.)
½ cup lemon juice
2 tsp lemon zest
½ cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
¼ cup sugar
Lemon Stir-Fry Sauce II
(chicken and seafood)
⅔ cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (to taste)
Optional: red pepper flakes
Soy Sesame Stir-Fry Sauce
(good all-round Asian sauce, suitable for all proteins)
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup soy sauce
4 tsp rice wine vinegar
4 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp hot red pepper flakes
2 tsp sugar
Basic Stir-Fry Sauce
(good all-round sauce)
⅔ cup soy sauce
½ cup chicken broth
⅓ cup rice wine or rice vinegar
3½ Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce
(chicken and pork)
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup cider or rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp hot red pepper flakes
Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce II
(chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp)
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice vinegar or cider vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce III
(chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp)
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
¼ cup pineapple juice (or addition ¼ cup water)
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Hot and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce
(good all-round sauce)
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
4 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp chile paste (sambal oleek)
Thai Stir-Fry Sauce
(chicken or shrimp)
⅔ cup coconut milk
1 Tbsp fish sauce
3½ Tbsp fresh lime juice
1½ Tbsp soy sauce
⅓ to ½ tsp dried crushed chili
2½ tsp brown sugar
Peanut Stir-Fry Sauce
(noodles or chicken)
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
4 tsp granulated sugar (less if not using natural peanut butter)
4 tsp natural peanut butter
2 Tbsp water
2 tsp Asian chili garlic paste
Combine all ingredients and heat in microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Orange Stir-Fry Sauce
(chicken and pork)
¾ orange juice
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
1 Tbsp Rice vinegar
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp Finely grated orange zest
Orange Stir-Fry Sauce II
(chicken and pork)
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup water
¼ cup soy sauce
4 tsp brown sugar
1 green onion, finely chopped
Spicy Orange Stir-Fry Sauce
(great with chicken)
¾ cup orange juice
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp finely grated orange peel
½ tsp minced ginger
1 tsp sesame oil
Large pinch of dried crushed red pepper, or to taste
Orange Sesame Szechuan Stir-Fry Sauce
(chicken)
½ cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp rice vinegar or rice wine
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 tsp sesame seeds
½ tsp sesame oil
1 fresh red chili, finely chopped or ½ tsp red pepper flakes (or ½ tsp sambal oleek)
Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fry Sauce
(all-round spicy stir fry sauce)
3-4 Tbsp sodium-reduced soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice wine or rice vinegar
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp sesame oil
½ cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp green onion, minced
1 Tbsp fresh minced ginger
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp chili paste (sambal oleek or chili paste sauce with garlic)
Tips: Some of these sauces already have cornstarch added but if they don’t, you can use this to thicken any sauce that you think is too thin. Simply combine 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 3 Tbsp water and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add a bit, stir and cook until sauce thickens. Add more as necessary.
Consider using low-sodium chicken broth and soy sauce to avoid an overly-salty finished dish.
Each of these sauces makes ½ – 1 cup of stir fry sauce. You may not need it all, depending on the amount of meat, noodles and/or vegetables you are stir frying. Add as necessary to make it as saucy as you like and thicken with the thickener above, if desired. Of course, you can also double the sauce if you’re making a lot of stir fry.
Some of these sauces already contain things like minced garlic, ginger, onion or chilis (or other heat) but if they don’t, be sure to consider adding some into your stir fry.