I’m trying to whip up a basic vegetable stir fry without any fancy sauce. Right now, I’m just pan-frying frozen veggies with garlic and soy sauce on high heat. Is there an easier way to do this? Any quick recipes you can share?
After frying, try adding a little sesame oil or rayu oil to take it up a notch.
Phoenix said:
After frying, try adding a little sesame oil or rayu oil to take it up a notch.
What’s rayu? I’ve never heard of it.
Phoenix said:
After frying, try adding a little sesame oil or rayu oil to take it up a notch.
What’s rayu? I’ve never heard of it.
Rayu/layu oil is Japanese chili oil made from sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, and Sichuan peppercorns.
@Phoenix
Thanks for the info!
I do that too! I also throw in some butter and sriracha with soy sauce and garlic. Super simple but really tasty. Just make sure your veggie pieces are similar in size since frozen veggies can get mushy quickly.
@Blaise
I use high heat, a bit of oil, garlic, frozen veggies, and a splash of soy sauce. I cook for about 5 minutes, then serve. The veggies are still crisp. Is that because I cook them for not long enough or is it just from the high heat?
@Blaine
No worries, you’re doing great! Crisp veggies are a win. I do what you do, but I like adding some minced or grated ginger with the garlic and drizzle a little roasted sesame oil at the end.
If you want people to ask how you made it taste so good, add a little msg 
My go-to stir fry is bok choy with sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, black garlic salt, and a dash of msg. I use refined flax oil for the omegas, but it gives a nutty flavor that some might not like.
Swap out soy sauce for oyster sauce instead.
Zara said:
Swap out soy sauce for oyster sauce instead.
You can use vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms!
I make a quick sauce. Just mix green onion and ginger with soy sauce and a bit of oil, let it sit in the fridge until you need it.
I cheat a bit and go for store-bought sauces. House of Tsang Spicy Szechuan Sauce is my favorite. If I want something sweeter, I grab a Korean BBQ sauce.
Here’s a helpful link: Stir fry cheat sheet - Imgur
Hollis said:
Here’s a helpful link: Stir fry cheat sheet - Imgur
This is great! Thanks!
Try using tamari instead of soy sauce. It will change the way you sauté.
Start with onion, then garlic, toss in the veggies, add one tablespoon of dark soy, one tablespoon of light soy, a bit of sugar, and one tablespoon of mushroom vegetarian stir fry sauce. Drizzle some sesame oil on top at the end.
Do you not want to make a sauce or just not eat one? To improve what you’re doing, I’d add fresh ginger with the garlic. If you do want sauce, there are lots of jarred sauces available. I enjoy adding black bean sauce and hoisin sauce to my stir-fry. Stir fry doesn’t have to be Chinese-inspired. You can use any seasonings you like, like garam masala or taco seasoning for different flavors.