Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables
A hot and vibrant stir fry featuring fresh vegetables tossed in a bold chili-garlic sauce that ignites the palate. This asian-inspired stir fry (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large, sliced into thin rounds carrot
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 large sliced carrot, and 1 medium sliced red bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and vibrant in color.
- Step 3: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey in a small bowl, then pour over the vegetables. Stir continuously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the vegetables.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir fry, toss gently, then remove from heat. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables 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 Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables?
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 Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Chili-Garlic Stir Fry with Crisp Vegetables 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.
