Stir fry is a quick and easy to whip up that makes a great alternative to traditional dinners. It’s also incredibly versatile in terms of flavor and ingredients.
But what sauces go best with stir fry? It’s important to know what sauces will pair well with the ingredients in your stir fry because otherwise, it can taste overly bland and unappetizing.
To help you out, I’ve compiled this list of some of the best sauces that are sure to add great flavor to your stir-fry dishes like chicken and vegetables.
If you are in a rush and want to know What sauce goes well with stir fry, then try any of these- Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Sweet & Sour Sauce, Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Plum Sauce, Black Bean Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Miso Paste, Fish Sauce, Sesame Oil, Garlic Chili Sauce, Ponzu Sauce, Tonkatsu Sauce, Yakiniku Sauce, Yakitori Sauce, Miso Soup, Sushi Vinegar, Umeboshi Paste, Goma Dare, Tsukemono, Shichimi Togarashi, and Furikake.
23 Best Sauces to Pair with Stir Fry
1. Soy Sauce- Always the best choice
Soy sauce is an absolute must when it comes to pairing with stir-fries. It is a salty condiment made from fermented soybeans and wheat, adding an umami flavor to any dish.
It adds a rich, salty flavor that complements any type of stir fry, from Chinese-style vegetables to Japanese teriyaki chicken. Also, It goes exceptionally well with meats like beef or chicken, as its salty flavor complements the meat nicely.
You can use light or dark soy sauce depending on your preference for saltiness; either way, it will make your stir fry taste delicious!
Variations such as teriyaki or sesame-flavored soy sauce add an extra layer of flavor to your meal.
2. Hoisin Sauce- For an extra punch of flavor!
The second best sauce goes well with stir fry from vegetable to meat. It is a thick, sweet-savory Chinese condiment made from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, sugar, chilies, and other spices.
It is perfect for adding a sweet and spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or bok choy and mushrooms.
The robust taste of hoisin sauce also helps cut through any greasiness in your dish, so it’s ideal if you use oil-heavy ingredients like pork or shrimp. It’s often used as a glaze or marinade for meats such as pork or beef.
3. Sweet & Sour Sauce- For All Purpose
Sweet & sour sauce is another popular choice for adding flavor to stir-fry dishes. This tangy condiment consists of vinegar, sugar, ketchup (or tomato paste), garlic powder, and ginger powder – all mixed together into a delicious sauce!
Sweet & sour sauce can be used as both an ingredient in the stir fry itself as well as a dipping sauce on the side. Its sweetness compliments vegetables like onions or carrots nicely, while its tartness balances out heavier meats like pork or beef.
4. Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Thai sweet chili sauce is one of my recommended sauces for stir fry. It has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, making it a great addition to any stir fry.
Thai sweet chili sauce is made from red chilies and sugar, making it slightly sweet but still spicy. It’s perfect for adding heat and sweetness to a dish without overpowering the other flavors.
The best part of Thai sweet chili sauce is that it is versatile and goes well with almost any type of protein and vegetable combination in a stir fry, so give it a try if you’re looking for something new!
5. Teriyaki Sauce
Another suitable sweet and savory Japanese condiment is made with soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and sake. It’s perfect for adding sweetness to any stir-fry dish. Also, you can add a marinade or glaze for meat or vegetables and noodle dishes.
6. Garlic Chili Sauce- For a Spicy Kick into the Stir-fry
Garlic chili sauce is a spicy-savory condiment, also my go-to sauce. It is made with garlic, chili peppers, and other ingredients. It’s perfect for adding depth of flavor to any stir-fry dish.
7. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce is a Japanese staple that combines soy sauce, mirin (rice wine), sugar, and sometimes ginger. Its consistency varies from thick, syrupy sauce to thin, watery sauce, depending on the recipe and ingredients.
The savory and sweet savor is good for stir-fries and noodle dishes, marinating or glazing meats and vegetables.
8. Ponzu Sauce
The tangiest and slightly sour citrus-based sauce is made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, dashi (fish stock), and citrus juice such as yuzu or sudachi. It’s often used in Japanese cooking as a dip for sashimi or tempura or as a marinade or salad dressing.
9. Tonkatsu Sauce
It is a thick and sweet brown sauce made from tomatoes, apples, dates, prunes, ginger, garlic, onion, and other spices. It’s often used as a condiment for tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets) but can also be used to marinate or glaze meats and vegetables.
10. Yakiniku Sauce
A Well-known sweet and savory sauce combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and garlic. Used as a marinade for yakiniku (Japanese-style grilled beef) but can also be used to flavor other dishes.
11. Yakitori Sauce
Yakitori sauce is an Asian sweet and savory sauce that combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and ginger. It’s often used as a marinade for yakitori (Japanese-style skewered chicken). Still, it can also be used to flavor other dishes.
12. Miso Soup
We all know about Miso soup. Right? -This traditional Japanese soup is made from dashi (fish stock) and miso paste, which is fermented soybeans.
It can be served with various ingredients such as tofu, seaweed, mushrooms, and vegetables. It’s often eaten as part of Japan’s staple breakfast or dinner.
13. Try Sushi Vinegar in your Stir-fry Veggies
Sushi Vinegar is a pungent combination of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt used to season sushi rice. It adds just the proper amount of sweetness and tanginess to the steamed rice, creating the perfect foundation for various sushi rolls.
14. Umeboshi Paste
Another sour and salty paste is made from umeboshi plums that are pickled in salt and red shiso leaves. It’s often used as a condiment for sushi, onigiri (rice balls), or stir-fries. It can also be added to dressings and sauces to give them an extra kick of flavor.
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15. Goma Dare
This sesame-based sauce is made from ground toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar. It’s often used as a dipping sauce for tempura or as a marinade for grilled meats and vegetables. It can also be added to soups and salads for extra flavor.
16. Tsukemono
Tsukemono is a Japanese pickled vegetable dish made from various ingredients such as cabbage, radish, cucumber, and eggplant. It’s usually served as a side dish or garnish and can also be used to flavor soups and stews.
17. Shichimi Togarashi
Shichimi Togarashi favored Japanese spice blend, is made from seven ingredients, including chili peppers, sesame seeds, orange peel, nori (seaweed), ginger, poppy seeds, and shiso leaves.
It’s often used as a condiment or garnish to add flavor and heat to various dishes.
18. Furikake
This dried seasoning is made from a combination of seaweed, sesame seeds, salt and other ingredients such as rice crackers or nuts.
It’s often sprinkled over hot white rice to add flavor and texture. It can even be used as a topping for stir-fry, soups, and salads.
Others Sauces to Pair with Stir-fry can try
19. Miso Paste: Miso paste is a savory Japanese condiment made from fermented soybeans, rice, and other ingredients. It adds a salty umami flavor to any stir-fry dish.
20. Fish Sauce: Made from fermenting anchovies or other fish with salt, the fish sauce adds an intense umami flavor to stir-fries.
21. Oyster Sauce: This dark brown sauce is made from oyster extract, sugar, and salt. It adds a unique umami flavor to any stir-fry dish.
22. Plum Sauce: Also known as duck sauce, plum sauce is a thick, sweet-tart condiment that adds flavor to any stir-fry dish.
23. Black Bean Sauce: This salty-savory Chinese condiment is made from fermented black beans, soy sauce, and other ingredients. It adds a unique flavor to any stir fry.
24. Sesame Oil: Made from toasted sesame seeds, this fragrant oil adds a nutty flavor and aroma to any stir fry.
A Small Take Away from Me
Stir-fry is a side dish that perfectly blends with a number of sauces, from sweet, tart, spicy and savory. So, No matter what ingredients you use in your stir-fry dish – veggies, meats, or seafood – there’s sure to be a tasty sauce that goes perfectly with it!
Pick any of these sauces according to your mood and craving, and add them when making your next batch of delicious stir-fried goodness!
Don’t forget to mention which sauce you gonna try and which will be your favorite one- I always love my stir-fry spicy and savory. Let me know what yours is.
