This healthy stir fry sauce recipe is delicious! It’s loaded with flavor and so simple to make. Whip up a batch of this homemade sauce in advance for easy, no-fuss weeknight dinners anytime! {Can be made gluten-free & vegan}
Healthy Stir Fry Sauce – So Easy!
I’ve been trying to find a good easy stir fry sauce recipe for years now. One that’s super flavorful, easy to whip together and can be made in advance for those busy weeks.
There are a ton of recipes out there, but I’ve never really found one that I love.
We’ve been working on perfecting our stir fry sauce recipe and I’m pretty sure that we finally nailed it. This simple sauce is so full of flavor and pairs well with so many different fresh vegetables and protein sources (try it in this Healthy Chicken Stir Fry or Shrimp Noodle Stir Fry)! It’s a game-changer and a huge hit with the whole family!
Featured Comment
“This sauce saved my dinner tonight! It’s awesome!” – Virginia
Elysia’s Recipe Recap – Why We Love this Recipe
- Less processed than store-bought or takeout
- Surprisingly easy to make (don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list)
- Can be used in lots of different dishes
- Family-friendly flavor profile
- Perfect for meal prep
- Relies on simple ingredients from any grocery store
Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients
- Soy sauce: Used for the base of the sauce for deep umami flavor and plenty of seasoning. Use low-sodium soy sauce to limit sodium intake.
- Broth: Chicken stock provides extra liquid to the sauce while infusing some additional flavor. We typically use no salt added chicken broth, but you can also use vegetable of beef broth as well.
- Sesame oil: Adds a slight nutty flavor to the sauce. You can use regular or toasted sesame oil.
- Rice vinegar: Incorporates a slight tanginess and provides that classic Asian flavor. You can also sub in white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Honey: Infuses a bit of extra sweetness into the sauce. I sometimes use maple syrup in a pinch!
- Natural peanut butter: Adds an extra dose of nutty flavor. I like to use natural peanut butter with no added salt or sugar.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves work best, although pre-minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Ginger: Use fresh for best results. You can store fresh ginger root in the freezer to preserve it for longer.
- Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the sauce once added to the pan with the other stir fry ingredients.
- Red pepper flakes: Provides a touch of heat. Add more or less to taste.
How to Make Homemade Stir Fry Sauce
This simple stir fry sauce can be whipped together in a matter of minutes. You can use it immediately or save it for later!
- In a mason jar or medium-sized bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce until well combined.
- You can also toss all of the ingredients into a mini blender, like the Ninja (that’s what we use), to ensure that the sauce is smooth and blended.
- You can either store the sauce in the fridge for later use or add desired amount of sauce to your stir fry.
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Expert Tips
- One thing to keep in mind is that it’s important that you allow your stir fry to cook in the sauce for at least 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. You need a few minutes to allow that cornstarch (or arrowroot) to do its thing!
- I like to make up a double or triple batch of this sauce and store half in the freezer (we love to use these Souper Cubes) for quick and easy meals!
Storage Guidelines
Refrigerator: You can keep this sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Just be sure to give it a good shake or stir before pouring it in with your stir fry as the ingredients will settle to the bottom. You want to make sure that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Freezer: You can freeze this sauce in a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to defrost in the fridge before using.
Recipe FAQ
If you want a thicker sauce, you can add additional cornstarch or flour.
To thicken with cornstarch: Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water for each cup of sauce.
To thicken with flour: Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of sauce.
I totally get it. Not everyone loves soy sauce. Sometimes I like using other substitutes too! If you’re looking for alternative options, you can sub in tamari sauce or coconut aminos. Both provide a similar taste, while also being a gluten-free option.
How to Mix and Match the Perfect Healthy Stir-Fry
To make your own stir-fry, mix and match your favorite fresh veggies, protein, and grains (if desired). For a lower carb meal, skip the grains and load up on extra veggies!
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Grains |
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Ingredient Substitutions
One thing that I love about this flavorful sauce is that you can switch out the ingredients to make it compliant with any dietary restrictions!
- Instead of natural peanut butter: Try almond butter, cashew butter or sun butter to make it nut-free!
- Instead of chicken broth: Use beef broth or vegetable broth to make it vegan.
- Instead of honey: Sub in maple syrup, brown sugar or agave nectar to make it vegan.
- Instead of cornstarch: Try arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a thickener.
- Don’t have rice vinegar? Try rice wine vinegar or regular vinegar instead.
- Don’t have fresh garlic or ginger? Try subbing in dried ginger or garlic powder or ginger or garlic paste instead.
- To make gluten-free: Use coconut aminos.
More Healthier Sauce Recipes
- Homemade Healthy BBQ Sauce
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Orange Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce
- Healthy Chick Fil A Sauce
- Healthy Big Mac Sauce
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Healthy Homemade Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce, or use tamari sauce or Bragg’s liquid aminos
- 1/2 cup no salt-added chicken broth
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey, can also sub in maple syrup
- 2-3 inches fresh ginger, finely grated
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a mason jar or bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce until well combined. You can also blend in a mini blender if preferred.
- Add desired amount of sauce to stir fry. Allow stir fry to cook in sauce for at least 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Notes
- The total batch makes about 1 1/2 cups of sauce. The nutritional information is for about 1/4 cup of the sauce. This is a general estimate as it will depend on how large your stir fry is and how much sauce you add to each serving.
- I highly recommend making up a double or triple batch of this stir fry sauce and freezing the leftovers. That way, you can simply thaw it out and use the already prepared sauce for quick and easy meals throughout the week. I love using these Souper Cubes to freeze extra sauce. They make meal prepping so easy!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in October 2019 and was updated June 2023 to include more helpful tips and photos. The text, formatting and some photos were updated again in November 2025.
This sauce is absolutely delicious! I added a few splashes of water to loosen it a little bit (was a tad too thick) at the end. I might add a smidge more peanut butter next time too. But honestly you have to try this. Really great. Thanks so much for the recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! And you can never go wrong with extra PB! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a kind review :)
This sauce saved my dinner tonight! It’s awesome!
Yay!! Glad the sauce came to the rescue ;)