Stir-fry is a quick and easy meal, but it can take time to think of the right side dish to serve. Rice is the classic accompaniment, but it’s not the only option.
If you’re looking for a change from the classic white rice served alongside your favorite stir fry dishes, you’ve come to the right place.
Some delicious alternatives will take your stir-fry dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Not only do these options provide great flavor and texture, but they are also healthier than traditional white rice.
Let’s explore some of the best side dishes for your next stir-fry dinner!
In a Hurry and want to know what to serve with Stir Fry instead of rice- try any of these
Quinoa, Noodles like Ramen, Chow Mein, Udon, Egg Noodles, Thai Coconut Chicken, French fries, Cauliflower Rice, Marga rice cakes, Crusty Bread, Prawn toast, Egg Drop Soup, Garlic Bok Choy, Chinese Hot Sour Soup, Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Salmon, Soy Sauce Eggs, Chinese Pickled Cucumber, Kimchi, Lemon-Marinated Baked Chicken, Boiled egg, Zucchini, Dumplings, Garlic Sesame Broccoli, Okra Salad, Spinach Sesame Miso Sauce, Spring Rolls, Sauteed Korean Cucumber, Tasty Baked Orange Chicken, scallion pancakes, Broccoli,
28 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Stir Fry Instead of Rice
1. Quinoa – Healthy & Quick Side dish
Quinoa is a great alternative to rice because it cooks quickly and has a delicious nutty flavor. This ancient grain is packed full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it one of the most nutritious grains out there today.
It pairs perfectly with stir-fries with lots of vegetables like peppers, carrots, and mushrooms.
Quinoa cooks quickly with just a few simple ingredients — water, salt, and maybe even a bit of olive oil — and provides a unique nutty flavor that complements any stir fry perfectly. You can also mix in different vegetables or spices like garlic or ginger to give it an extra kick!
Plus, you can cook quinoa in advance so that when you’re ready to make your stir-fry dinner, all you have to do is heat it up!
2. Best noodles to serve with stir fry
One great option to pair with stir fry is noodles. They provide an interesting contrast in texture and some added substance to your meal.
Noodles come in so many varieties that you can really play around with flavor combinations easily. Choose from egg noodles, ramen noodles, udon noodles, or even glass noodles.
For me, the best noodles that go with stir fry are the Chinese egg noodles.
The egg noodles have a great texture and can be cooked in just minutes. They also have a nice flavor that goes well with many different stir-fried vegetables and meats.
Another great thing about these noodles is that they don’t get soggy when cooked, so you can enjoy your stir-fry without worrying about it getting too mushy. They also hold up well if you’re planning on having leftovers.
Udon noodles are also a good choice– thick, chewy, and perfect for soaking up all of the flavors from your stir-fry dish. For a lighter option, try vermicelli or glass noodles. These thin strands cook quickly and have a mild flavor that won’t overpower your meal.
You can make your stir-fry extra flavorful by adding some garlic, ginger, and soy sauce to the mix. The best part about using noodles is that they cook much faster than rice—just add them at the end of cooking time, so they don’t get soggy.
3. Try Thai Coconut Chicken
There’s nothing better than a delicious stir-fry dish, and the addition of Thai Coconut Chicken makes it truly memorable.
A perfect balance of sweet and salty, this unique recipe is a great way to spice up any regular stir fry. The coconut milk helps to coat the chicken in a creamy sauce and adds extra flavor to the overall meal.
Plus, easy to make and combining multiple flavors, this delicious side is sure to please a crowd. Serve along with your favorite fried rice or noodles, and enjoy a delicious meal as well!
Read More- 17 Best Foods to Serve with Banh Mi
5. French Fries
Stir fry is an incredibly versatile dish that can combine a variety of different flavors and ingredients. Yet, something as simple (but delicious) as French fries can complement a stir fry perfectly.
French fries are not only easy to prepare and affordable, but they also have a savory taste that meshes well with nearly any stir fry combination you can think of.
Their crunchy texture is also an excellent contrast to a softer stir-fry meal.
6. Cauliflower Rice-Low Carb Side dish for Stir Fry
If you’re looking for something even lighter than quinoa or noodles, try making cauliflower rice! It has the same texture as regular white rice but is much lower in carbs and calories.
Simply pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until it resembles small grains; then sauté it with some garlic and onion until it’s cooked through!
Cauliflower rice pairs nicely with any type of stir fry because its mild flavor blends well with all of the other ingredients in the dish without overwhelming them.
7. Marga Rice Cakes
Try something totally different than rice- Marga rice cakes! Marga rice cakes are made from cooked glutinous rice flour mixed with lard or butter and then pan-fried until crispy on both sides.
The result is a crunchy cake that pairs perfectly with stir-fried dishes like beef, chicken lo mein, or kung pao chicken. They are also great for dipping in sauces like sweet chili sauce or soy sauce!
8. Crusty Bread to serve with stir fry
Sometimes bread makes an excellent accompaniment to stir fry, sure to please the whole family.
Whether you opt for store-bought rolls or warm up some pita in the oven for a few minutes – both make the perfect complement for soaking up all the tasty sauces from your stir fry.
Not only do they mop up spicy sauces but they also add some much-needed carbs and create a filling meal.
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9. Prawn Toast
Prawn toast is another unique pair for stir-fried meals. Its golden, crunchy exterior perfectly contrasts a veggie-packed stir fry.
The buttery flavor of prawn toast ensures that each bite has a great balance of both sweet and savory. Plus, the dippable format of prawn toast makes it an interactive and fun way to enjoy a classic Asian dish.
10. Egg Drop Soup- A Popular Combination
Egg drop soup is a classic accompaniment to stir fry, adding a comforting and delicate flavor to your meal.
The light, savory broth, and thin egg ribbons provide just the right balance to the bold flavors of your stir-fry dish.
Egg drop soup is simple to prepare – additionally, you can make several flavorful variations by adjusting the ingredients.
Adding some red pepper flakes or diced mushrooms makes for an even more delicious experience!
To make it especially creamy, top off your soup with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
11. Savory Garlic Bok Choy
Garlic Bok Choy is a delightful side to any stir fry. Its mild garlic flavor tones down the spiciness of many stir fries, making it a great foil for adding contrast and depth to a meal.
Nutritionally speaking, it adds valuable vitamins, minerals, and valuable antioxidants. Plus, the texture of boiling it just enough provides another wonderful contrast in a dish full of crunchy vegetables.
A stir fry with Garlic Bok Choy is sure to please any palate!
12. Chinese Hot Sour Soup
Chinese Hot Sour Soup is one of the tastiest side dishes to serve with stir fry, as its spiciness and tartness cut through the richness of the stir fry and offer the perfect balance of flavors.
Its texture is also a great accompaniment since it provides a silky quality and adds volume to the dish.
Chinese Hot Sour Soup can contain ingredients such as bok choy, onion, mushrooms, and more that provide key vitamins and minerals missing from the stir fry itself.
An easy way to get started is by buying a basic prepackaged mix from your local grocery store, which requires just adding broth or water before simmering until cooked through.
13. Teriyaki Chicken
Add Teriyaki Chicken to your next stir-fry dish. It has some great flavors that are sure to impress.
A simple mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar can produce a delicious marinade for the chicken. Letting the chicken soak up this flavor overnight or for a few hours will work wonders when it comes time to cook!
You can then add the marinated chicken to the stir fry or use it as an accompaniment.
14. Teriyaki Salmon
A best yet delicious and easy way to turn your stir fry dish into a gourmet experience, try adding Teriyaki Salmon!
This heavenly combination of sweet teriyaki glaze and tender salmon satisfies even the most choosy palates.
The contrast between the succulent salmon and crisp stir-fried vegetables makes for an appealing presentation.
Plus, with its zesty Asian flavors, Teriyaki Salmon will give your well-loved stir fry dish a vibrant new twist.
15. Soy Sauce Eggs
Soy Sauce Eggs provide a simple yet delicious kick to any stir-fry dish. These eggs are boiled and then soaked in soy sauce with spices such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon for hours to marinate them deeply with flavor.
As the eggs absorb the marinade over time, their texture becomes firmer and more succulent, which makes them the perfect accompaniment for a stir fry.
As an added bonus, Soy Sauce Eggs make a great garnish; simply place them halved onto the top of your finished dish to add instant flavor and color.
16. Chinese Pickled Cucumber
Chinese Pickled Cucumber is a fantastic choice to stir fry dishes. It provides a strong and flavorful contrast, with its tangy pickle-like taste adding balance to the often robust flavors of a stir fry.
The crunchy texture of the cucumbers also makes it interesting to eat alongside other items in the dish.
This pickle is surprisingly easy to make at home, simply by tossing thinly sliced cucumbers in Chinese rice wine vinegar, then topping them with garlic, ginger, salt, and sugar.
17. Kimchi
Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish that pairs perfectly with stir fry. The combination of soft noodles and crunchy kimchi provides different textures, but it also offers a tasty contrast of flavors.
The combination of savory sauce from the stir fry and the tangy spiciness of the kimchi creates an appetizing flavor blend.
Kimchi also provides a unique flavor that sets traditional stir fry apart from other dishes. Although it may not be for everyone, anyone who loves bold and unique flavors won’t regret experiencing this delicious pair.
18. Juicy Baked Chicken Marinaded with Lemon
Lemon-Marinated Baked Chicken is a great food to serve with stir fry for an easy, flavor-packed meal. Enjoy the zesty citrus flavor of this chicken as it combines perfectly with lots of fresh vegetables and noodles.
The marinade adds an extra punch of lemon taste that really brightens every bite of your meal. Plus, you can prepare it ahead of time and store it until you’re ready to add it to the stir fry.
19. Have Some Boiled Eggs
Boiled eggs are a great side dish to serve with stir fry! They add texture and brightness to the plate, and they also provide an excellent source of protein.
Boiling eggs is a simple, yet effective way to make them tasty! You can simply put eggs in boiling water for five minutes or less, and you’re good to go.
Add some spices or herbs to the boiling water for even more flavor and kick, such as garlic powder or chili flakes.
Serve these boiled eggs with your stir-fried veggies and enjoy their creamy goodness.
20. Dumplings
Many love dumplings for their combination of soft, savory filling and doughy goodness.
Served as a steamed or fried appetizer, these tasty morsels perfectly complement the flavors of stir-fry dishes.
From shiitake mushroom to carrot and ginger and from pork to cabbage wrapped in wonton shells, dumpling fillings offer endless possibilities to take your stir fry from sublime to scrumptious.
Whether you prefer classic pot stickers or boiled bao buns, dumplings add the perfect kick of flavor and texture to a world favorite dish.
21. Zucchini
Zucchini is a great choice when it comes to adding a side dish to your stir-fry dinner. It provides variety in terms of colors and flavors, but it also offers multiple nutritional benefits as well.
Zucchini is low in calories, fat-free, high in Vitamin C and potassium, and an excellent source of dietary fiber. Because of its mild flavor, zucchini pairs perfectly with almost any type of protein or vegetable included in a stir-fry meal.
Add shredded zucchini to the stir-fry ingredients while they’re cooking and quickly cook until softened – you’ll have an easy side dish that cooks within minutes!
22. Broccoli-Garlic Sesame Seeds
Garlic Sesame Broccoli is the perfect accompaniment to any stir fry. Not only does it contribute an array of vibrant colors, but the combination of garlic and sesame infuses a zesty flavor into the dish.
It’s also a great source of healthy nutrients. Broccoli is just the right texture to draw out all the juicy flavors in any stir fry! So be sure to add Garlic Sesame Broccoli as your side when you next make a stir fry- your taste buds will thank you!
23. Okra Salad
Okra Salad is a unique and delicious pair for stir fry dish. The crunchy texture of the okra, combined with the savory flavors of garlic, lemon, parsley, and olive oil, makes for an unbeatable flavor combination.
Okra Salad provides a welcome contrast to its bold flavorings when served with a vegetable-heavy stir fry. Every bite has the right balance between freshness and heartiness.
24. Spinach- Miso Sauce
Spinach Sesame Miso Sauce is a great way to bring an exciting flavor twist to any stir-fry dish. This versatile sauce is made with freshly pureed spinach and miso paste combined with sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and a few other wholesome ingredients.
With a tangy yet mellow taste, it instantly elevates any stir fry’s flavor. Whether you serve beef, pork, fish, tofu, or vegetables in your stir-fry dish, Spinach Sesame Miso Sauce provides a delicious burst of dietary fiber and umami.
Simply drizzle over your favorite stir fry for an easy-to-make yet flavorful meal.
25. Stir Fry Goes With Spring Roll
One of the best parts about spring rolls is that they incorporate all kinds of different flavors in one bite.
Whether you opt for a vegetarian roll filled with fresh vegetables and herbs or a seafood roll packed full of shrimp, crab, and fish, you can be sure you’ll enjoy every last morsel.
Spring rolls are also surprisingly easy to make at home if you are up to mastering a homemade dish. Plus, they can be served hot or cold depending on your preference.
26. Sauteed Korean Cucumber
Sauteed Korean Cucumber is a perfect complement to stir-fry dishes, adding flavor and texture.
Simply prepared with crunchy cucumbers, sesame oil, and soy sauce, this light and savory side dish complements many different types of stir fry deliciously.
Not overly spicy or overwhelming, Sauteed Korean Cucumber contrasts the rich flavors of a stir fry with comfortable and familiar tastes that everyone enjoys.
Serve it at your next dinner party, and watch as your guests enjoy this exciting fusion of cultures on their plates.
27. Succulent Baked Orange Chicken
Baked Orange Chicken goes well with any Asian-inspired stir fry. The combination of lightly sweet and tart orange sauce with fleshy baked chicken gives the dish a unique flavor that is sure to be popular among your family and guests.
It’s also a healthy option, with fresh orange juice and honey combined to create a beautiful glaze.
28. Spicy Broccoli
Spicy Broccoli is an ideal side dish to serve with stir fry. The subtle spices of the broccoli enhance the flavor of an already delicious dish while adding a healthy serving of vegetables.
Not to mention, the vibrant colors provided by the spicy broccoli bring a delightful contrast and visual feast to the meal.
Additionally, spicy broccoli is quick and easy to prepare, making it a go-to for busy cooks.
29. Scallion pancakes
Crispy and savory on the outside, with a light and moist interior, scallion pancakes provide an excellent crunchy contrast to any meal.
They also contain plenty of flavors, thanks to the generous addition of chopped scallions. You can make this delicious Chinese dish with just a few ingredients to enhance your stir-fried meal.
Make sure you add plenty of oil when frying them, so they come out nice and crispy on the outside but remain soft and fluffy inside. Serve alongside your favorite stir fry for an ideal combination of warm crunchy deliciousness!
So, What to serve with stir fry instead of rice.
As, you can see- When it comes to side dishes for your stir fry dinner, there are plenty of options beyond plain old white rice!
Quinoa has a nutty flavor and cooks quickly; noodles come in many varieties, and marga rice cakes offer an interesting crispy contrast in texture without being too overwhelming.
Whereas teriyaki salmon, Chicken, Soy sauce eggs, Thai coconut chicken, and Egg Drop Soup are all savory flavors, and Some salads like Okra salad.
Whichever side dish you choose for your next dinner, you can be sure it will deliver delicious results every time! So don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors – you might surprise yourself by discovering a new favorite dish!
FAQs
What Meat Goes With A Stir Fry?
Make your stir fry nights special with leaner cuts of beef that are perfect for delicate and delicious sauces.
For extra flavor, you can use pork or chicken in combination with vegetables or even seafood. The key is to start with a light oil coating to keep the meats juicy and then add marinades for added spices.
Try marinating a flank steak or skirt steak in your favorite Asian marinade for at least an hour before adding it to your stir fry for extra flavor dimension.
If you want something more unique, try using fish or tofu, which can become deliciously crispy when cooked in a wok. Also, consider the impact of garlic and ginger, which will give any stir-fry dish the perfect finish!
