5-Minute Vegan Stir Fry Sauce

Tofu and vegetable stir fry garnished with sesame seeds and green onion.

5-Minute Vegan Stir Fry Sauce

This easy vegan stir fry sauce is made with soy sauce, maple syrup, fresh garlic, and ginger for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. It cooks in just 5 minutes into a thick, glossy sauce that's perfect for tossing with crispy tofu, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.

5 from 11 votes

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Author: Liv King

Ingredients

½ cup Water
⅓ cup Low-Sodium Tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons Maple Syrup
2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
½ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes more to taste
2 teaspoons Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
2 Garlic Cloves minced
1 Knob of Ginger minced
1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil finishing oil
Sprinkle of Sesame Seeds optional
1 Green Onion thinly sliced

Instructions

Whisk together the water, low-sodium tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, red chili flakes and cornstarch until smooth and no cornstarch lumps remain. Set aside.
Heat a small frying pan over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil, followed by the minced garlic and ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Give the sauce mixture another whisk to redistribute the cornstarch, then pour it into the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring until thickened.
Take off the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil and stir in additional red chili flakes, sesame seeds, and green onion if using.
How to use this stir fry sauce: Cook your tofu, vegetables, or noodles first, then pour the prepared sauce into the pan toward the end of cooking. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Store leftovers in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

Recipe makes about 1 cup of sauce.

No need to worry if you're missing an ingredient– it's incredibly forgiving. Crafting a well-balanced sauce is easy with soy sauce, an acidic component, a sweet element, and a thickening agent like cornstarch.

Consider preparing the sauce ahead of time and storing it in the fridge. This not only saves time on busy days but also allows the flavors to meld and intensify. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

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