Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A colorful medley of crisp vegetables stir-fried with garlic and finished with toasted sesame seeds for a quick, flavorful side or main. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs broccoli florets, red bell pepper, snap peas 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon minced ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup trimmed snap peas, and 1 large julienned carrot to the wok. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes, tossing frequently, until the vegetables are bright and crisp-tender.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sesame oil, stirring to coat the vegetables evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly reduces.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds and 2 chopped green onions over the stir-fry. Toss gently and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and 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 Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and 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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and 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 Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and Sesame 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 Vegetable Stir-Fry with Garlic and 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.

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