Easy Stir Fry Vegetables is the kind of dish you’ll love having in your back pocket for a quick meatless-Monday meal, any day of the week!
This is one of those ‘lost but never forgotten’ recipes I used to make all the time. I remember that my kids always enjoyed it, so if they’ll eat it, I bet your kids will too! Who doesn’t love a true 15 minute meal loaded with tender crisp broccoli, carrots, onions, and water chestnuts coated in a tangy, sweet sauce, then topped with cashews and served over a bowl of rice? Did I mention it’s healthy too?
First, you don’t have to limit this dish to just broccoli, onions and carrots. Feel free to clean out the vegetable drawer and cook up whatever you have on hand. Peppers or snow peas are terrific additions and if you have leftover chicken, toss it in too.
The sauce is easily doubled, which is always the right thing to do when serving these tasty Easy Stir Fry Vegetables with rice!
I don’t often see water chestnuts used in recipes any more, but I still love the crispy crunch. Don’t forget the cashews and a few toasted sesame seeds. This is the perfect easy-to-make vegetable dish that doubles as a meatless main. It’s adaptable to just about any vegetable, or any protein including tofu.
Finally, you might want to set the table before the vegetables are chopped and the sauce is blended, because this cooks in about 5 minutes!
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Easy Stir Fry Vegetables - who doesn't love a true 15 minute meal loaded with tender crisp broccoli, carrots, onions, and water chestnuts coated in a tangy, sweet sauce? Top the dish with cashews and serve over rice for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner.
- 1/2 pound broccoli
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- 3 small carrots, cut into matchstick strips
- 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce
- 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
In a 1 cup measure, combine the honey, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and ginger. Set aside
Separate broccoli into florets. Slice the broccoli stems into matchstick strips.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil and heat until shimmering. Add the broccoli stems, carrots and onions to the skillet and stir fry until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the broccoli florets and water chestnuts and stir for 1 minute or until the broccoli florets turn bright green in color.
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir the soy sauce mixture and pour over the vegetables. It will thicken quickly so be ready to gently stir the vegetables so they will all be coated in the sauce. If you feel it's too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to the pan. Gently stir until all vegetables are coated.
Serve the vegetables as a side dish or over rice for a meatless main. Sprinkle with a few cashews and sesame seeds and enjoy.
Light corn syrup can be substituted for the honey.
Substitute peanuts for the cashews if desired
Serve with rice for a meatless, healthy quick and easy weeknight meal
Here are a few more stir fry recipes you might enjoy:
- 40 Basic Stir Fry Sauce Recipes ~ from Seasons & Suppers
- 15 Minute Lo Mein ~ from Pinch of Yum
- Easy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry ~ from Damn Delicious
- Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry ~ from Saving Room for Dessert
These are a few of our favorite kitchen tools used to make this dish (each photo is clickable):
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a terrific week 🙂
Tricia
I always used to have a can of water chestnuts in the pantry. I remember making ramaki with them often 🙂 I love seeing all those beautiful vegetables peaking out of the luscious sauce. Delish!
Thank you so much Susan! Have a terrific Super Bowl weekend 🙂
This would definitely make a lovely dinner and I think I’d make a double batch, just to have the leftovers for lunch the next day, YUM! I’m with you, I think water chestnuts are wonderful!
We are a leftover family too Chris. Who wants to cook every single day 🙂 Have a terrific weekend and if you’re having a super bowl party – I hope all your food turns out amazing!
I go in waves with stir-fries — I’ll cook a bunch for a few months, then it’ll be a year before I make another one. Weird. Anyway, it’s been way too long since I’ve made one — you’ve inspired me! Really like that jolt of apple cider vinegar in your sauce — terrific idea. Thanks!
Thanks John – the apple cider vinegar gives this stir fry a nice bite … your word “jolt” is probably a very good description! Thanks again – have a nice weekend.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that I don’t really like water chestnuts but there’s a good chance I’d enjoy it if you made it for me. ; ) Your stir-fry looks perfect, Tricia. That sauce is the perfect “glazey” consistency. I do adore all kinds of stir-fry when the veggies are still bright and crisp. I also think cashew nuts add so much to it. Yum!
I was wondering if you like water chestnuts Monica – especially since you love chestnut cream – not the same I know! Thanks so much!
Great recipe, Tricia! Love the crunchiness of it, the colors and all the good flavors. And easy works for me! Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Pam! This is a nice quick dish with plenty of flavor. Thanks for stopping by!
I just bought a beautiful new Staub cast iron wok. It was entirely too expensive. But, thanks to you, I can now justify my overindulgence! Of course, I’ll need to make this meal every day for a year to justify it. I’ll worry about that later. GREG
Hi Greg – your wok sounds amazing – I’m going to check it out and I can’t wait to see what you cook in it! A great piece of kitchen equipment can’t be beat. Take care!
Great shots of a delicious looking dish Tricia. We’ve been eating a little more rice lately so this will fit right it.
Thanks Larry! Rice is such an easy side dish, we should eat it more often. Have a terrific week.
Yummy, this looks fantastic. I can never get my man to eat kale but I won’t give up trying. Have a wonderful week.
Large kale leaves are not my favorite either – but maybe he would eat Swiss Chard. Spinach would be a great substitute too. Have a lovely week!
What a great recipe. I love water chestnuts and always have a few cans in the pantry! You better get used to stir fry, because that’s all you will have in China. BTW-my son told me that’s the hardest race on the planet, so kudos to your son!
Thank you Abbe! Our son has turned into a real athlete and it’s inspiring for all of us. I thought it was a good time to start practicing with chop-sticks 🙂
Our kind of meal Tricia, looks delicious and we love your photos – magnificent!
Thank you!
What a delicious way to celebrate veggies, love that you added water chestnuts, gorgeous dish Tricia!
Thanks Cheri! I love your comment – celebrate veggies sounds perfect 🙂
Love, love stir fry vegetable meals. This is a perfect way to use what’s left in the produce drawer and pantry. Your stir fry dish looks beautiful.
Velva
Thank you Velva – hope you’re doing great!
I love the double crunch from the water chestnuts and cashews. I’d happily eat this any day of the week!
Thanks Liz – me too 🙂
I may be Italian and love all dishes from Italy, but I can’t resist stir-fry. I could have it every night! Your recipe looks fantastic.
Thank you Marisa 🙂 I love all things Italian too and your dishes look amazing. Can’t wait to try a few, or twenty!
Beautiful, appetizing colors! And, five minutes! Gotta love that! Thank you, Tricia! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
Hi Tanna! Thank you so much 🙂 Blessing and hugs to you and yours as well. One day I hope to give you a big hug in person 🙂
Looks great Tricia!! Love stir fry vegetables!
Thank you Michael! So great to talk to you again – have a wonderful week.
Absolutely scrumptious! And moreish.
Have a beautiful week Tricia.
🙂 Mandy xo
Hi Mandy! So great to hear from you – hope you are doing well. This easy dish is very tasty and won’t be off the rotation again for a long time. Take care and thanks!
Visions of Shanghai?:)
YES! I need practice with chop sticks or I’ll have to sneak a spoon into my luggage! Have a lovely week Monique 🙂
It reminds me of cashew chicken that I love so much! This looks even better because it’s loaded with veggies!
Yes! It is like cashew chicken without the spicy 🙂 Have a great day Angie!
Absolutely love this! This is my kind of meal any night of the week 🙂 Beautiful photos, too. Sharing!
Thank you Jennifer! Happy Monday 🙂