This Easy Stir Fry Sauce is a quick and versatile recipe, which is made with low-sodium soy sauce and fresh ginger. It’s a straightforward recipe, perfect for weeknight meals, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Stir Fry Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium vegetable stock, or water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 – 2 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 Tablespoon sugar or honey (up to 2 for a sweeter sauce)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
How To Make Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Sauce
- Combine the sauce: In a bowl or a mason jar with a lid, combine all the ingredients: soy sauce, stock, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, ginger, sugar, cornstarch, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Mix until smooth: Whisk or shake the ingredients very well until the sugar and cornstarch are completely dissolved and there are no lumps.
- Thicken and serve: Use the sauce immediately in a stir-fry recipe. Pour it into the pan with your cooked protein and vegetables and simmer it while stirring until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get a thicker sauce? The recipe notes suggest adding up to 1 additional tablespoon of cornstarch for an extra thick sauce. Remember to mix it in well with the cold liquids before heating.
- How can I make the sauce sweeter or more sour? For a sweeter sauce, you can add up to one additional tablespoon of sugar or honey. For a more sour, tangy flavor, increase the rice vinegar to 1 tablespoon.
- How do I prevent lumps in the sauce? It’s crucial to whisk or shake the sauce very well before adding it to the hot pan. This ensures the cornstarch dissolves completely in the cold liquids and prevents it from clumping when it hits the heat.
- Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Yes, this sauce is perfect for making ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The cornstarch may settle at the bottom, so be sure to shake or whisk it vigorously before using.
What To Serve With This Stir Fry Sauce
This versatile sauce is the perfect all-purpose sauce for quick and easy weeknight meals.
- Tossed with chicken, beef, or shrimp and your favorite vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas.
- As a sauce for lo mein, udon, or rice noodles.
- Poured over steamed rice and vegetables.
- As a quick glaze for baked or grilled salmon or tofu.
How To Store Stir Fry Sauce
- Refrigerate: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or whisk well before each use, as the ingredients may separate or settle.
Stir Fry Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Because the sauce contains cornstarch, it will thicken very quickly once it hits the heat of the pan. Adding it at the end of the cooking process allows you to control the thickness perfectly without overcooking your protein or vegetables.
Yes! The recipe calls for minced garlic and grated ginger, and using fresh will always provide the best, most vibrant flavor compared to dried or jarred versions.
Tamari is an excellent gluten-free substitute for soy sauce that tastes very similar. Coconut aminos are another popular gluten-free and soy-free alternative that is slightly sweeter.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Gyoza Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Asian Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Asain-InspiredDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes2
minutes35
kcalA quick, easy, and customizable Asian stir-fry sauce with the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup vegetable stock or water
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp sugar or honey
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tbsp rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tsp grated ginger
Directions
- In a bowl or mason jar, combine all ingredients.
- Whisk or shake vigorously until the cornstarch and sugar are completely dissolved and there are no lumps.
- Pour the sauce into your skillet after the other stir-fry ingredients are almost finished cooking.
- Stir constantly as the sauce heats and thickens, which will only take a minute or two.
- Remove from heat as soon as it reaches the desired consistency and serve immediately.
Notes
- It is crucial to mix the cornstarch 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” that thickens quickly.
- Store any unused sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Feel free to customize the sauce by adjusting the sweet (sugar/honey) and sour (vinegar) elements to your liking.
