Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-22 · Updated 2026-07-22

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

A vibrant vegetable stir fry seasoned with a balanced blend of four fragrant spices and finished with toasted sesame seeds for crunch and aroma. This Asian Fusion-inspired stir-fry recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs carrot, red bell pepper, broccoli florets for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 150 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 medium, julienned carrot
1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup snow peas
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Add 1 medium julienned carrot, 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup broccoli florets, and 1/2 cup snow peas. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender and brightly colored.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1/4 tsp ground white pepper, 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp ground cloves.
Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture over the vegetables and toss continuously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the vegetables evenly.
Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep carrot from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Four-Spice Vegetable Stir Fry with Toasted Sesame vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.