The Stir Fry Blueprint

Time: 20m ( 10m prep, 10m cook )

Complexity: 1/5

The key to a great stir-fry lies in how you cook the vegetables. This recipe simplifies the process by categorizing them into hard, medium, and soft groups based on their cooking times. By progressively adding the softer vegetables to the pan after the harder ones have had a head start, you ensure every ingredient is cooked to perfection. Pair this method with a well-marinated protein, and you’ll have a flavorful and satisfying meal every time.

So grab your favorite large pan (that's really all you need), and mix-and-match to your heart's content!

Yields:

Ingredients

Soy Garic Marinade (optional, but recommended)

3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (or Sriracha)
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Alternative Marinades: Sweet n Tangy Teriyaki; Miso Garlic; Sesame Lime; Thai Coconut Curry

Sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (or Sriracha)
2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
1/8 cup water or chicken stock
1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Hard Veggies

Any number of:
Broccoli
Red onion
Bell Peppers (red, green), sliced thick.
Carrots, sliced
Cauliflower florets
Green beans
Snow peas (if you like them more tender)

Medium Veggies

Any number of:
Mushrooms, sliced
Zucchini, halfed slices or matchsticks
Yellow squash
Baby corn
Snap peas
Eggplant, sliced thin or cubed.
Leeks, sliced
Green onions (white parts)
Bok Choy stems (save leaves for End Veggies)

Soft Veggies

Any number of:
Spinach
Bean sprouts
Snow peas (if you prefer them crisp)
Bok choy leaves.
Fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil)

Steps

Make the Marinade (optional, but recommended): Combine all ingredients from Soy Garlic Marinade into a deep dish. Whisk together.
Marinade the Protein: Add the protein to the dish. Press and swirl around, flipping once to get both sides. Cover in plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Make the Sauce: Whisk all ingredients in the sauce section until well combined.
Prepare to cook: Once the protein is marinaded, set a pan to medium-high heat, drizzle in olive oil.
Cook Protein: Sear the protein on both sides until cooked through (see Protein Cooking Guide for specific times). Remove from pan.
Cook Hard Veggies: These are the veggies from the first section. Add all to the pan and cook, stirring or "tossing" the pan regularly, for 3-5 minutes.
Meanwhile, dice the cooked protein into bite-sized pieces.
Add Medium Veggies: These are veggies that require less cook time. Add them to the pan, combining with the Start Veggies. Continue to toss regularly for 2-3 minutes
Add Soft Veggies, Protein, and Sauce: These veggies need very little cook time. Add them to the pan, along with the protein. And sauce previously made. Cook until soft veggies are wilted (i.e. for spinach)

Protein Cooking Guide

Chicken: Cook 3–5 minutes, high heat, flipping occasionally until golden and no longer pink 165°F°F.
Beef: Cook 2–4 minutes, high heat for medium-rare.
Shrimp: Cook 2–3 minutes, medium-high heat, flipping halfway, until pink and opaque.
Pork: Cook 3–5 minutes, high heat, flipping occasionally until golden and fully cooked 145°F.
Tofu: Cook 4–6 minutes, medium-high heat, flipping to brown all sides.

Tips

If combining lots of vegetables, cook the hard ones for 1-2 minutes less than listed and let them finish cooking when you mix the medium/soft veggies.

Last updated: Jan 22, 2025

Tagged under:

quick and easy
gluten free
healthy
get your greens in