Stir fries are a staple in many cuisines around the world, and for good reason. The sizzling wok, fresh vegetables, tender proteins, and punchy sauces come together to create a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal.
Stir fries are also highly versatile – you can customize them with your favorite ingredients and flavors. Whether you enjoy the classic beef and broccoli or something different like shrimp and pineapple stir fry, there are endless possibilities.
The popularity of stir fry is easy to understand as the cooking method is quick, which makes it weeknight-friendly. The addition of crisp, bright vegetables adds nutrition, and proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu make it more filling. The bold Asian-inspired sauces like soy, oyster, hoisin, and sriracha add a lot of flavor.
If you’re craving a stir-fry dish and running out of ideas to try something new, look at our favorite combo ideas. These might inspire you to try something new!
1. Chicken and Broccoli
This classic stir-fry combination pairs tender chicken breast or thigh meat with fresh broccoli florets. If you’ve ever wondered how restaurants achieve that incredibly tender texture in their chicken, it’s often due to a technique called velveting.
If you’re curious about mastering this technique, you can learn how to velvet chicken for stir fry to make your homemade dish even more delectable.
To make it restaurant quality, remember to prep the ingredients properly. Cut the chicken into thin, even strips and let marinate for 30 minutes in a blend of cornstarch, oil, soy sauce, and seasoning. This allows the chicken to caramelize when cooked over high heat.
Meanwhile, cut the broccoli into similar-sized pieces so it cooks evenly. Cook the chicken first, remove it from the pan, then cook the broccoli.
Return the chicken to the pan and add your favorite stir-fry sauce. Serve over steamed jasmine rice.
2. Beef and Bell Peppers
For a satisfying meat and vegetable combo, try beef and bell peppers. The flank steak is sliced thinly and cooked over high heat so it’s tender and juicy.
For the veggies, combine red, yellow, and orange bell peppers and cut them all into thin strips. This stir fry is best with a black bean garlic sauce.
Cook the beef first, remove it, then add peppers. Then, return the beef to the pan and add your sauce. Finish with sliced green onions.
3. Chicken and Pineapple
If you like some sweetness in your stir fry, you need to try this chicken and pineapple combination. In addition to chicken breast, this stir fry uses chunks of fresh pineapple.
Add some red bell pepper for color and a dash of red chili pepper for heat to balance the sweetness. Cook the chicken first, remove it, then add the remaining ingredients.
For the sauce, use an equal amount of soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. The sweet and slightly acidic flavors complement the pineapple.
4. Tofu and Veggies
To make a tofu and vegetable stir-fry, cut the tofu into cubes and marinate it in soy sauce and cornstarch for a few minutes. This will help the tofu to absorb flavor and hold its shape when stir-fried.
While the tofu is marinating, chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Starting with the hardest vegetables, such as broccoli and carrots, stir-fry the vegetables in batches until they are tender and slightly browned.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the tofu back to the skillet and stir-fry until heated through. Season with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce to taste.
5. Chicken and Bok Choy
Baby bok choy provides a refreshing crunch when combined with chicken. Begin by slicing the chicken breast into even strips and marinating them.
While the chicken is marinating, separate the heads of the bok choy and slice them diagonally. When it’s time to cook, start with the chicken, ensuring it’s cooked through before setting it aside.
Next, stir fry the bok choy stems, and once they’re almost done, introduce the leaves, cooking them until they’re just wilted. Bring the chicken back into the pan, introduce your chosen stir-fry sauce, mix well, and serve.
6. Beef and Snap Peas
When you need a simple yet flavorful dish for a weeknight meal, consider pairing thinly sliced flank steak with snap peas. To prepare the beef, slice it against the grain and marinate it briefly in a sauce of your choice.
While the beef marinates, clean and trim your snap peas. Once the beef is ready, heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and cook the beef until it reaches medium-rare doneness with a slight pink hue on the inside. Set the beef aside.
Turn up the heat to high and add the snap peas to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the snap peas are bright green and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Return the beef to the skillet and add your favorite stir-fry sauce. Toss to combine and cook until the sauce is heated through and the beef is cooked to your desired doneness.
7. Tofu and Cabbage
This vegetarian stir-fry is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and satisfying meal. The tofu is marinated in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, and oil, giving it a crisp exterior and a tender interior. The cabbage is cooked just until wilted so it still has some bite.
Serve over cooked brown rice and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Conclusion
With endless possible ingredient combinations, stir-fries are a great way to use up the veggies and proteins you have on hand. The key is properly preparing the ingredients – cutting them into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same time. And, of course, a flavorful sauce ties it all together. Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili paste are all good options.
Serve your stir-fry over rice, quinoa, or noodles for a fast, fresh, healthy weeknight meal. With this list of tasty combos to try, you’ll always enjoy stir fries!
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