Best Vegetable Teriyaki Stir Fry

If you ask me, a good stir fry is one of the smartest weeknight dinner solutions.

This quick vegetable teriyaki stir fry brings together crisp vegetables and a sweet-savory sauce that hits all the right notes. Fresh broccoli, carrots, and snap peas get tossed in a homemade teriyaki sauce that’s both simple and satisfying.

It’s cooked quickly in a hot wok until the vegetables are just tender but still have that perfect bite. The sauce gets thick and glossy, coating every piece with its rich flavor.

It’s a family-friendly meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something tasty but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

What Kind of Mushrooms Should I Use?

For stir fry recipes, white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms are your most reliable options – they’re easy to find and hold up well to high-heat cooking. Baby bella mushrooms (which are just young portobello mushrooms) add a slightly deeper flavor if you want to take things up a notch. When picking your mushrooms at the store, look for ones that are firm and dry to the touch, without any slimy spots or discoloration. Before slicing them up for your stir fry, just give them a quick wipe with a damp paper towel instead of washing them under running water, since mushrooms act like little sponges and can get waterlogged.

Options for Substitutions

This stir fry recipe is super adaptable and perfect for using what you have on hand:

• Yellow onion: Red onions or shallots work just as well here. You could even use green onions – just add them towards the end of cooking to keep their fresh taste.
• Broccoli florets: Feel free to swap broccoli with cauliflower, snap peas, or green beans. You can even use frozen broccoli – just thaw and pat dry before cooking.
• Mushrooms: Any mushroom variety works great – button, cremini, or shiitake. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, try water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for that nice crunch.
• Olive oil: For a more authentic Asian flavor, try using sesame oil or vegetable oil. If using sesame oil, you might want to use less as it has a stronger taste.
• Teriyaki sauce: Store-bought sauce works fine, but you can make your own by mixing soy sauce, mirin (or honey), and a bit of ginger. In a pinch, you could even use soy sauce with a touch of honey or brown sugar.
• Carrots: Bell peppers, celery, or parsnips can replace carrots if needed. Just cut them in similar-sized strips so they cook evenly.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making stir fry is overcrowding the pan, which causes the vegetables to steam instead of getting that perfect crispy-tender texture – work in batches if needed and keep your pan hot. A common error is adding all vegetables at once, but since they have different cooking times, start with harder vegetables like carrots first, then add broccoli, and finish with quick-cooking mushrooms and onions. Another crucial mistake is stirring the vegetables too frequently; give them time to develop a nice sear by letting them sit undisturbed for 30-45 seconds between stirs. For the best results, make sure your vegetables are cut into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking, and have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking since stir-frying moves quickly.

What to Serve With Vegetable Stir Fry?

This veggie-packed stir fry pairs perfectly with fluffy white rice or brown rice to soak up all that tasty teriyaki sauce. If you’re watching your carbs, cauliflower rice makes a great alternative, or try serving it over a bed of rice noodles for something different. To make it a more filling meal, you could add some protein like crispy tofu, grilled chicken, or shrimp on the side. I also like to sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top, then serve it with a side of edamame for snacking.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This tasty stir fry will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The vegetables might soften a bit over time, but the flavors actually get better as they mingle together! It’s perfect for your weekly meal prep or quick lunches.

Pack Away: If you’re planning to eat it later in the week, I recommend storing the sauce separately from the veggies. This keeps the vegetables from getting too soft and lets you control how much sauce you want when you’re ready to eat.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover stir fry, just pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For better texture, you can also toss it in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes – this helps keep the vegetables from getting mushy and brings back some of that fresh-cooked taste.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	30-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60 g

Ingredients

• 1 thinly sliced yellow onion
• 5 small carrots, cut into strips (approximately 1 ½ cups)
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 7 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 portion of teriyaki sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by adding olive oil to a large skillet and heating it over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, add in the yellow onion, carrots, broccoli, garlic, and mushrooms.

Cook the vegetables for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have softened but remain slightly crisp, avoiding a mushy texture.

Step 2: Prepare and Add Teriyaki Sauce

While the vegetables are cooking, take a moment to prepare a batch of homemade teriyaki sauce.

Pour your freshly made sauce over the sautéed vegetables in the skillet.

Stir well to ensure that all the vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together for a delicious taste.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Once the vegetables are cooked to your preference and evenly coated with the teriyaki sauce, serve them over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or stir-fry noodles.

Enjoy your flavorful, homemade teriyaki vegetables as a satisfying meal!