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Easy and delicious Stir Fry Vegetables
This is the kind of dish you’ll love having in your back pocketย 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?
Ingredients for Stir Fry Vegetables:
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
- cornstarch
- low sodium soy sauce
- fresh ginger
- broccoli
- vegetable oil
- carrots
- onion
- canned sliced water chestnuts
- unsalted roasted cashews
- toasted sesame seeds
How to make easy Stir Fry Vegetables:
First combine the sauce ingredients: honey, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce and ginger.
Next prepare the broccoli by separating the tops into florets, and peel and slice the stems into matchstick strip or rounds.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Stir in the broccoli stems, carrots and onions. Stir fry until crisp-tender then add the florets and water chestnuts.
Remove the pan from the heat. Add the sauce mixture and stir to coat the vegetables.
Serve over rice garnished with cashews and sesame seeds.
The sauce is easily doubled for serving over rice.
First, you don’t have to limit this dishย 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 areย terrific additions and if you have leftover chicken, toss it in too.
If serving with rice or noodles, you can easily double the sauce ingredients. It’s all good!
Serve these easy Stir-Fry Vegetables as a meatless main course or vegetable side dish.
Iย don’t often see water chestnuts used in recipes any more, but I love their crispy crunch. Don’t forget the cashews and a fewย toasted sesame seeds too.
This is the perfect easy-to-make vegetable dish that doubles as a meatless main. It’s highly adaptable to just about any vegetable, or any protein including tofu.
Finally, you might want to set the tableย before the vegetables are chopped and the sauce is blended,ย because this cooks in about 5 minutes!
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Easy Stir Fry Vegetables
Ingredients
- ยผ cup honey
- ยผ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger peeled and grated (about 1-inch piece)
- ยฝ pound broccoli
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- 3 carrots cut into matchstick strips
- 1 onion cut into wedges
- 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts drained
- ยผ cup unsalted roasted cashews
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 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. ย
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil and heat until shimmering. Stir in the broccoli stems, carrots and onions. 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.ย 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.
Recipe Notes
- 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
- Add rotisserie chicken at the final step to add protein
Susan
I always used to have a can of water chestnuts in the pantry. I remember making ramaki with them often ๐ I love seeing all those beautiful vegetables peaking out of the luscious sauce. Delish!
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much Susan! Have a terrific Super Bowl weekend ๐
Chris Scheuer
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!
Tricia Buice
We are a leftover family too Chris. Who wants to cook every single day ๐ Have a terrific weekend and if you’re having a super bowl party – I hope all your food turns out amazing!
John/Kitchen Riffs
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!
Tricia Buice
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.
Monica
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!
Tricia Buice
I was wondering if you like water chestnuts Monica – especially since you love chestnut cream – not the same I know! Thanks so much!
Pam
Great recipe, Tricia! Love the crunchiness of it, the colors and all the good flavors. And easy works for me! Thanks for the recipe!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Pam! This is a nice quick dish with plenty of flavor. Thanks for stopping by!
sippitysup
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
Tricia Buice
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!
Larry
Great shots of a delicious looking dish Tricia. We’ve been eating a little more rice lately so this will fit right it.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Larry! Rice is such an easy side dish, we should eat it more often. Have a terrific week.
Gerlinde/Sunnycovechef
Yummy, this looks fantastic. I can never get my man to eat kale but I won’t give up trying. Have a wonderful week.
Tricia Buice
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!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
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!
Tricia Buice
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 ๐
2 Sisters Recipes
Our kind of meal Tricia, looks delicious and we love your photos – magnificent!
Tricia Buice
Thank you!
cheri
What a delicious way to celebrate veggies, love that you added water chestnuts, gorgeous dish Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri! I love your comment – celebrate veggies sounds perfect ๐
Velva
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
Tricia Buice
Thank you Velva – hope you’re doing great!
Liz Berg
I love the double crunch from the water chestnuts and cashews. I’d happily eat this any day of the week!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Liz – me too ๐
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
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.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Marisa ๐ I love all things Italian too and your dishes look amazing. Can’t wait to try a few, or twenty!
tanna
Beautiful, appetizing colors! And, five minutes! Gotta love that! Thank you, Tricia! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
Tricia Buice
Hi Tanna! Thank you so much ๐ Blessing and hugs to you and yours as well. One day I hope to give you a big hug in person ๐
Michael
Looks great Tricia!! Love stir fry vegetables!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Michael! So great to talk to you again – have a wonderful week.
Mandy
Absolutely scrumptious! And moreish.
Have a beautiful week Tricia.
๐ Mandy xo
Tricia Buice
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!
Monique
Visions of Shanghai?:)
Tricia Buice
YES! I need practice with chop sticks or I’ll have to sneak a spoon into my luggage! Have a lovely week Monique ๐
Angie@Angie's Recipes
It reminds me of cashew chicken that I love so much! This looks even better because it’s loaded with veggies!
Tricia Buice
Yes! It is like cashew chicken without the spicy ๐ Have a great day Angie!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Absolutely love this! This is my kind of meal any night of the week ๐ Beautiful photos, too. Sharing!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Jennifer! Happy Monday ๐