30 Quick Make-At-Home Stir Fry Sauces

This illustration and recipe by Sophie Peanut for They Draw and Cook.com


For years I had several pre-made, bottle stir fry sauces I could get at the local grocery store I loved. It made whipping up a stir fry so quick and easy. Then one day something changed. I don't know if my tastes simply began to change or the brands being offered in the store were different, but they were all missing something.


I have been experimenting a bit off and on with no luck.  Nothing I made tasted bad fortunately.  But I would put my attempts in the MEH category.  Expected and uninteresting.  For awhile I've been exploring offerings found on the internet. Some were enticing, some were not. Some were complicated, some were simple. Nothing stood out though that would carry me through an explorations of flavours.  I wanted VARIETY in caps!

This illustration and recipe by Lynne Osborne for They Draw and Cook.com

Then I stumbled across two articles on a website called Gourmet Grub. They were sort of a part one and part two with 15 basic recipes offered in each.  Now here was something I could work with!  Not only were there 30 options, but some had 2 or 3 different ways to make a similar sauce so you could figure out how to make it your own - just the right mix for your taste buds.

I will be trying many of these over the next few months.  My goal is one a week - starting with those that look most appealing to my taste buds.  I'll add notes after each attempt. All won't be attempted as not all appeal to me, but I'll do as many as possible.

This illustration and recipe by Ploy Wu They Draw and Cook.com

In the meantime, if you try one, be sure to add your comment to the blog or IG or FB post so I know which you liked or didn't like.

NOTE - just stumbled across a website called They Draw and Cook. It is absolutely fascinating. The illustrations above with recipes are all from there. Please check it out at https://www.theydrawandcook.com/. And if you're an illustrator, be sure and look at the contests they run with paid prize money! WOW!

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30 Basic Stir-Fry Sauce Recipes

Instructions for all of these recipes (unless otherwise noted) - 

  1. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl
  2. Stir well to combine
  3. Add to hot wok or pan. 
  4. Cook over medium heat until blended.hen add to your stir fry.

Lemon Stir-Fry Sauce – Great with seafood stir fries, such as shrimp and/or scallops, as well as chicken.

1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar

Lemon Stir-Fry Sauce II – nice with chicken and seafood.

2/3 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice (to taste)
Optional: red pepper flakes

Soy Sesame Stir-Fry Sauce – good all-round Asian sauce, suitable for all proteins.

1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. rice wine vinegar
4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
2 tsp. sugar

Basic Stir-Fry Sauce – good all-round sauce.

2/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup rice wine or rice vinegar
3 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger

Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce – great with chicken and pork.

1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider or rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce II – great with chicken, pork, beef and shrimp.

1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar or cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce III – great with chicken, pork, beef and shrimp.

1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup pineapple juice (or addition 1/4 cup water)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Hot and Sour Stir-Fry Sauce – good all-round sauce.

1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. chile paste (sambal oleek)

Thai Stir-Fry Sauce – great with chicken or shrimp.

2/3 cup coconut milk
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
3 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/3 to 1/2 tsp. dried crushed chili
2 1/2 tsp. brown sugar

Peanut Stir-Fry Sauce – perfect for noodles or chicken.

1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. granulated sugar (less if not using natural peanut butter)
4 tsp. natural peanut butter
2 Tbsp. water
2 teaspoons Asian chili garlic paste
Combine all ingredients and heat in microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Orange Stir-Fry Sauce – nice with chicken and pork.

3/4 orange juice
1 Tbsp. Cornstarch
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. Oyster sauce
1 Tbsp. Rice vinegar
2 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. Finely grated orange zest

Orange Stir-Fry Sauce II – nice with chicken and pork.

1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. brown sugar
1 green onion, finely chopped

Spicy Orange Stir-Fry Sauce – great with chicken!

3/4 cup orange juice
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. finely grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. minced ginger
1 tsp. sesame oil
Large pinch of dried crushed red pepper, or to taste
• • •

Orange Sesame Szechuan Stir-Fry Sauce – nice with chicken.

1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar or rice wine
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. grated orange zest
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. sesame oil

Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fry Sauce – great all-round spicy stir fry sauce.

3-4 Tbsp. sodium-reduced soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice wine or rice vinegar
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp.sesame oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. green onion, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh minced ginger
1 Tbsp. minced garlic

Sweet & Sour Sauce -

1/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

Ginger Peanut Sauce -

3 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 Tbsp. white wine or rice wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. peeled fresh ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (like Sriracha)

Peanut Sauce - 

6 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 1/2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
4 Tbsp. rice vinegar
Hot chile sauce, to taste (like Sambal Oleek or Chili Garlic Sauce)

Spicy Ginger Stir Fry Sauce - 

1/2 cup chicken stock
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sherry or Chinese cooking wine
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut oil
3 Tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Teriyaki Sauce -

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely minced

Lemon Ginger Sauce (nice with veg stir fry) -

1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. Tamari or Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. water
1 tsp. sesame oil
4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cornstarch

Orange and Lemon Sauce (nice with chicken/veg) -

2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry/rice wine vinegar)
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. vegetable or peanut oil
1 tsp. salt
Freshly ground white pepper
2 Tbsp. finely chopped orange zest
1 Tbsp. finely chopped lemon zest
2 tsp. sesame oil
3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh coriander

Coconut Ginger-

1 tsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
2 minced garlic clove
2 tsp. Sriracha
4 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. red curry paste
4 Tbsp.coconut milk

Ginger Hoisin - 

2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onions
2 1/2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. peeled fresh ginger, minced
2 tsp. honey
1 1/2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce

Spicy Thai -

1/4 cup chicken broth
4 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar or white vinegar
1 Tbsp. sherry or cooking sherry

Ginger (nice with beef) -

2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
5 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. peeled, grated fresh ginger, minced
1 tsp. chile pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Garlic - 

2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Spicy Orange - 

6 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 1/2 tsp. red or white wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
3 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup water

All Purpose Chinese Stir Fry Sauce - 

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup oyster or hoisin sauce
1/4 cup Chinese wine (or sherry)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 Tbsp. white or brown sugar
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. ground white pepper

Spicy Orange Peanut - 

1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. hot chili-garlic sauce

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