Stir-Fry Recipes Recipes

Fast, flavour-packed stir-fries—noodles, rice, meat, and veg—plus make-ahead sauces and wok tips for weeknights.

Category image for Beef Lo Mein

Beef Lo Mein

Michael Matthews adapted by JojoM

25 min
Category image for Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Better-Than-Takeout Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Mandy from Souped Up Recipes adapted by JojoM

30 min

Intro

Welcome to our stir-fry, wok, and quick-sauté collection—speedy dinners with big flavour and minimal washing-up. You’ll find weeknight-friendly noodles, crisp-tender veg, and glossy sauces that cling without greasiness. The focus is on high heat, smart prep, and balance: salty–sweet–sour–spicy. Whether you’re after a lean chicken-and-broccoli classic, a slurpable noodle fix, or a tofu-and-veg powerhouse, this page shows what to cook, how to hold texture, and which sauces to batch so dinner is ready in minutes.

Quick Picks

Make-Ahead & Storage

ItemFridgeFreezerReheat/Serve Tips
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry2 daysNot idealReheat fast in a hot pan; splash of water to loosen sauce.
Quick Thai Cashew Chicken2 daysNot idealAdd toasted cashews at the end to keep crunch.
Taiwanese Rice Noodles2 daysNot suitableToss with a little oil; reheat just to hot to avoid breakage.
Mongolian Beef3 days1 monthThaw overnight; reheat until bubbling for glossy sauce.
Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce1 week2 monthsMicrowave or warm in a pan; thin with water as needed.
Smoked Tofu & Veg Stir-Fry3 daysNot idealReheat briefly to keep tofu crisp and veg snappy.

Compare Popular Options

Dish/ItemTimeSkillMake-aheadBest with / Notes
Chicken & Broccoli20 minEasy★★★☆☆Light, high-protein; jasmine rice or brown rice.
Chicken Pad Thai25–30 minIntermediate★★☆☆☆Soak noodles right; finish off-heat to stay silky.
Taiwanese Rice Noodles30 minEasy★★★☆☆Great for meal prep; don’t over-sauce.
Mongolian Beef25 minEasy★★★★☆Sauce holds well; add spring onions at the end.
Thai Cashew Chicken20–25 minEasy★★★☆☆Toast nuts separately; add last.

Techniques That Matter

  • Prep first, cook fast: Slice everything evenly; sauces pre-mixed in a small bowl or jar.
  • High heat + dry wok: Preheat until shimmering; batch-cook to avoid steaming.
  • Velveting for tenderness: Marinate beef/chicken with a little soy, cornstarch, and oil; sear hard.
  • Noodle control: Soak/boil to just shy of done; finish in sauce for bounce.
  • Shine without grease: Use cornstarch slurry sparingly; simmer 30–60 seconds to activate.
  • Finish fresh: Add herbs, citrus, or toasted nuts right at the end for lift and texture.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

  • Soggy veg → Crowded pan; cook in batches and keep heat high.
  • Gluey noodles → Oversoaked; under-soak and finish in the wok with sauce.
  • Tough meat → Skip velveting; marinate briefly and sear in a single layer.
  • Dull flavour → No acid/sugar balance; adjust with lime/vinegar and a pinch of sugar.
  • Watery sauce → Not reduced; simmer after adding slurry until glossy.

Serving Ideas / Planner’s Notes

  • Portions: plan 1 cup (250–300 g) stir-fry + 1 cup rice/noodles per person.
  • Build a table spread: 1 protein stir-fry, 1 veg stir-fry, and a noodle/rice dish.
  • Offer heat on the side—chilli oil, sliced fresh chillies, or sriracha—for custom spice.
  • Add crunch with toasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts/cashews, or fried shallots.
  • Leftovers make excellent lunch boxes; pack rice/noodles separately to keep textures.

Featured Links

Round out your rotation with speedy favourites like Fiery Thai Pad Kra Pao with Crispy Egg (15-Min) and a saucy classic Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Lo Mein; for veggie nights, try Sweet Chili Chicken with Mushrooms & Peppers swapped with tofu.