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If you make stir fry very often, having a good homemade stir fry sauce in the refrigerator can make dinner so much easier.
This simple stir fry sauce comes together in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
It’s savory, slightly sweet, a little tangy, and full of the kind of flavor that makes homemade stir fry taste like takeout.
I love recipes like this because you can make the sauce ahead of time and then throw together dinner whenever you need it.
Why Make Your Own Stir Fry Sauce?
Store-bought sauces are convenient, but making your own gives you much more control over the flavor.
Want to try making your own jelly at home?
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You can make it sweeter, saltier, spicier, or more garlicky depending on what you’re making.
It also makes a great homemade pantry staple. Mix up a batch, keep it in the refrigerator, and you’ve got the beginning of an easy dinner whenever you need it.
What Is Stir Fry Sauce Made Of?
The base of this sauce is a simple combination of:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Brown sugar
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Cornstarch
- Water
The cornstarch helps thicken the sauce as it heats, giving it that glossy texture you expect from a good restaurant-style stir fry.
How to Make Homemade Stir Fry Sauce
Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl or jar and whisk until well combined.
That’s really all there is to it!
If you’re using it right away, pour it over your cooked meat and vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking. Let everything simmer together until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
If you’re making it ahead, pour the sauce into a jar with a lid and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it.
Give it a good shake or stir before adding it to your stir fry.
What Can You Use Stir Fry Sauce With?
This sauce is incredibly versatile.
Use it with:
- Chicken stir fry
- Beef stir fry
- Shrimp stir fry
- Pork stir fry
- Vegetable stir fry
- Beef and broccoli
- Chicken and broccoli
- Rice bowls
- Noodle bowls
- Fried rice
- Lo mein
- Sautéed vegetables
You can also use it as a quick sauce for leftover chicken or vegetables when you need to get dinner on the table fast.
How to Make a Quick Stir Fry
One of my favorite things about homemade stir fry is that you don’t really need a recipe once you have the sauce.
Start by cooking your protein in a large skillet or wok. Remove it from the pan and then stir-fry your vegetables until they’re tender-crisp.
Add the cooked meat back to the pan, pour in your homemade stir fry sauce, and toss everything together.
Serve it over rice or noodles and dinner is ready.
It’s an easy way to use whatever vegetables happen to be in your refrigerator.
Customize Your Sauce
This recipe is easy to adjust.
Want it spicy? Add sriracha, red pepper flakes, or a little chili garlic sauce.
Want it sweeter? Add a little more brown sugar or honey.
Want more garlic? Add another clove.
Want more ginger? Add another teaspoon of fresh grated ginger.
You can make a batch that’s mild enough for the whole family and then add extra heat to individual servings.
How Long Does Homemade Stir Fry Sauce Last?
Store the prepared sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
I like using a small mason jar because it’s easy to shake the sauce before using it and easy to pour directly into the skillet.
Once you have this sauce made, you can turn just about any combination of meat and vegetables into an easy Asian-inspired dinner.
It’s another homemade sauce that’s worth keeping in the refrigerator alongside homemade yum yum sauce and bang bang sauce.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes to Try
If you’re building a homemade takeout night, this stir fry sauce is great with some of my other Asian-inspired recipes.
Try it with Chicken Fried Rice, Chicken Lo Mein, Egg Roll in a Bowl, General Tso’s Chicken, Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, or Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs.
For even more homemade takeout flavor, try my Homemade Yum Yum Sauce and Homemade Bang Bang Sauce too.
They’re both great to keep in the refrigerator for dipping, drizzling, and adding a little extra flavor to dinner.
This easy homemade stir fry sauce comes together in just a few minutes and is perfect for making your favorite Asian-inspired meals at home. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and full of flavor—just what you need for better-than-takeout stir fry!
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
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Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, and water to a small bowl or mason jar.
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Whisk or shake well until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
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Use immediately in your favorite stir fry, or pour into an airtight jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
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When cooking stir fry, add the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir well as it heats so the cornstarch can thicken the sauce.
For a spicier sauce: Add red pepper flakes or a little sriracha.
For a sweeter sauce: Add another teaspoon or two of brown sugar.
For extra garlic flavor: Add another clove of fresh garlic.
This sauce works beautifully with chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, or vegetables.
Try it with rice, fried rice, lo mein, or noodles.
Follow my Asian Food board on Pinterest.
