Vegetable Stir-Fry with Sesame Garlic Sauce
A colorful medley of vegetables quickly stir-fried and coated in a savory sesame garlic sauce, perfect for a nutritious family meal. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs broccoli florets, carrot, red bell pepper 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 cups broccoli florets
- 1 medium, sliced into thin rounds carrot
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 cup snap peas
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 medium sliced carrot, 1 medium julienned red bell pepper, and 1 cup snap peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats all the vegetables.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable Stir-Fry with Sesame Garlic Sauce 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 Sesame Garlic Sauce?
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 Sesame Garlic Sauce?
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 Sesame Garlic Sauce 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 Sesame Garlic Sauce 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.
