This Trader Joe’s Asian Stir-Fry Sauce is a quick and versatile recipe, which is made with low-sodium soy sauce and fresh lemon juice. It’s a straightforward recipe, perfect for a 30-minute meal, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Asian Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium Tamari or soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon sugar (pure cane, date, maple, or others)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Fresh chives, optional
- 2-3 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or cornstarch, or other thickener)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Asian Sauce Recipe
- Whisk the ingredients: In a bowl, place all the ingredients and whisk them together. Be sure that the arrowroot powder or cornstarch is incorporated well without any clumps.
- Add to stir-fry: Pour the sauce into your stir-fry AFTER the veggies are finished (or nearly finished) cooking.
- Thicken and serve: The sauce will begin to thicken as soon as it is heated in the pan. Stir it with the vegetables and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches your desired consistency.

Recipe Tips
- How do I make this sauce gluten-free? To make it gluten-free, simply use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, as well as a gluten-free thickener like arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
- How do I get the right consistency? The sauce thickens as it heats. You can control the thickness by how long you leave it on the heat. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a moment longer; for a thinner sauce, remove it from the heat almost immediately after adding it.
- Can I adjust the sweetness? Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener to suit your taste preferences.
- How do I prevent lumps in my sauce? The key is to whisk the arrowroot powder or cornstarch into the cold liquids very thoroughly before you heat the sauce. This ensures the thickener dissolves completely and prevents clumping.
What To Serve With This Asian Sauce
This versatile sauce is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Tossed with a vegetable stir-fry with broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas.
- As a sauce for lo mein or udon noodles.
- Poured over steamed rice and chicken.
- As a quick marinade for tofu, chicken, or shrimp before grilling or pan-frying.
How To Store Asian Sauce
- Refrigerate: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Shake or stir well before using if separation occurs.
Asian Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 19 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Sugar: 2g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Arrowroot powder (or arrowroot starch) is a gluten-free thickener, similar to cornstarch. It creates a clear, glossy sauce and is great for recipes you plan to freeze, as it doesn’t break down at cold temperatures.
Because the sauce contains a starch thickener (arrowroot or cornstarch), it will thicken almost instantly upon contact with the heat of the pan. Adding it at the end allows you to control the final consistency without overcooking your vegetables.
Absolutely. For a kick of heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a little chili garlic sauce to the mixture.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Organic Marinara Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Asian Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Asian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy5
servings5
minutes19
kcalA quick and versatile Asian stir-fry sauce with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
¼ cup low sodium Tamari or soy sauce
¼ cup water
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tbsp sugar
1 tsp minced garlic
2-3 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Directions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk thoroughly until no lumps remain.
- Pour the sauce into your skillet after the other stir-fry ingredients are almost finished cooking.
- Stir constantly as the sauce heats and thickens.
- Remove from heat as soon as it reaches the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- It is crucial to mix the thickener into the cold liquids completely to avoid a lumpy sauce.
- This sauce is not meant to be simmered for a long time; it is a “finishing sauce.”
