If you love stir-fry, you’ll be happy to know that the sauce makes them taste even better. Garlic stir fry sauce is one of the most famous and useful choices. It goes perfectly with any stir fry, whether it’s veggies, chicken, beef, or tofu. It’s the perfect mix of spicy, sweet, and sour. I will show you how to make garlic stir fry sauce in this piece.
The recipe is simple and tastes great. I will also give you some ideas on how to use it in different stir fry dishes.
Overview Homemade Garlic Stir Fry Sauce
Garlic stir fry sauce, known for its strong, fragrant flavors, is an essential ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Soy sauce, garlic, and a few other common kitchen items make it a great addition to stir-fries. Honey, vinegar, or pepper make the sauce easy to customize. With this sauce, everything tastes great, whether you’re making a vegetable stir fry or a garlic soy sauce chicken stir fry.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen, including garlic, soy sauce, and honey.
- Versatility: It pairs perfectly with almost any stir-fry ingredient, including veggies, meat, or tofu.
- Customization: You can easily adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and spice levels to suit your taste.
- Quick and Easy: Making the sauce takes just a few minutes, and it significantly enhances the flavor of your stir fry.
- Healthy and Light: It’s a healthier alternative to store-bought sauces that are often loaded with preservatives and sugar.
What You’ll Need to Make Garlic Stir Fry Sauce
Ingredients
- Garlic (Freshly minced or chopped): The star of the show! Garlic adds a robust and savory flavor to the sauce. It’s what gives the sauce its signature taste.
- Soy Sauce: This is the base of your stir fry sauce, contributing the salty, umami flavor. You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce depending on your preference.
- Rice Vinegar: A dash of rice vinegar helps balance out the salty and sweet components of the sauce, adding a bit of tang.
- Honey or Brown Sugar: This adds a sweet contrast to the saltiness of the soy sauce and the richness of the garlic. You can also use agave syrup or maple syrup if you prefer.
- Cornstarch: This is used as a thickener. It helps the sauce cling to your stir fry ingredients for a glossy finish.
- Sesame Oil: A little bit of sesame oil adds a nutty, aromatic depth to the sauce, enhancing the stir fry experience.
- Water: To thin out the sauce and help with the cooking process.
Substitutions and Variations:
- If you don’t have sesame oil, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil as a substitute, though you’ll miss that signature sesame flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, choose tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- For a more robust flavor, feel free to add a small amount of ginger to the mix.
Directions: How to Make Garlic Stir Fry Sauce
Creating this Garlic Stir Fry Sauce is incredibly easy. Here’s how you do it:
- Sauté the garlic: Begin by heating a tablespoon of sesame oil (or any oil you prefer) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Mix the sauce ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and water. Stir well until the honey dissolves completely.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Add this mixture to the pan with the sautéed garlic and stir well. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats.
- Simmer and cook: Let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it’s thickened to your desired consistency, remove the pan from the heat. The sauce is now ready to be used for your stir fry!
Nutrition Information
For one serving of Garlic Stir Fry Sauce (based on 1/4 cup):
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 50mg
- Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 8g
- Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient substitutions.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the garlic: Garlic is the star of the sauce, so don’t skimp on it! The fresher, the better.
- Thicken to your liking: If you prefer a thicker sauce, feel free to add more cornstarch slurry. For a thinner sauce, use less.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or a little maple syrup.
- Double the recipe: If you’re cooking for a crowd, this sauce can be easily doubled. Simply increase the quantities and store the extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
Storage and Freezing
Storing the Sauce
- Refrigeration: Store leftover garlic stir fry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. This sauce can also be used to dip pancakes or spring rolls in.
- Freezing: This sauce can be frozen for up to three months. Just place it in a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you use it.
Serving Ideas
Creative Ways to Use Garlic Stir Fry Sauce
Here are 5 creative ways you can use your homemade garlic stir fry sauce:
- Stir Fry Vegetables: Toss your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas in this sauce for a quick, healthy stir fry. The sauce clings to the veggies, enhancing their flavors.
- Kung Pao Chicken: Use this garlic sauce to prepare a Kung Pao chicken stir fry. Add peanuts and chili peppers for a bit of heat and crunch.
- Noodle Stir Fry: Drizzle the garlic stir fry sauce over cooked noodles, stir-fry with some veggies and protein, and you’ve got a delicious, hearty meal.
- Tofu Stir Fry: For a plant-based option, stir fry tofu cubes with this sauce for a savory, satisfying dish.
- Chicken Skewers: Marinate chicken skewers in the garlic sauce, then grill or broil them for a flavorful main dish.
Similar Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
- The Best Homemade Kung Pao Sauce Recipe
- The Secret to the Perfect Gyoza Sauce Recipe
FAQs
Q: What is Chinese garlic sauce made of?
A: Chinese garlic sauce is typically made from soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and cornstarch for thickening. It has a savory, sweet, and tangy flavor.
Q: What’s the difference between Chinese brown sauce and garlic sauce?
A: Chinese brown sauce is made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes beef broth, creating a rich umami flavor. Garlic sauce is lighter, with more focus on garlic and sweetness from honey or sugar.
Q: How do you make stir fry sauce at home?
A: To make stir fry sauce, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, cornstarch, and a sweetener like honey. You can adjust the flavor to your liking by adding chili, ginger, or sesame oil.
Q: What are the 3 rules of stir frying?
A: 1. Use high heat. 2. Keep the ingredients moving in the pan. 3. Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking.
Garlic Stir Fry Sauce – Recipe Card
Ingredients
- Garlic Freshly minced or chopped: The star of the show! Garlic adds a robust and savory flavor to the sauce. It’s what gives the sauce its signature taste.
- Soy Sauce: This is the base of your stir fry sauce contributing the salty, umami flavor. You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce depending on your preference.
- Rice Vinegar: A dash of rice vinegar helps balance out the salty and sweet components of the sauce adding a bit of tang.
- Honey or Brown Sugar: This adds a sweet contrast to the saltiness of the soy sauce and the richness of the garlic. You can also use agave syrup or maple syrup if you prefer.
- Cornstarch: This is used as a thickener. It helps the sauce cling to your stir fry ingredients for a glossy finish.
- Sesame Oil: A little bit of sesame oil adds a nutty aromatic depth to the sauce, enhancing the stir fry experience.
- Water: To thin out the sauce and help with the cooking process.
Substitutions and Variations:
- If you don’t have sesame oil you can use olive oil or vegetable oil as a substitute, though you’ll miss that signature sesame flavor.
- For a gluten-free version choose tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier kick add a teaspoon of chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- For a more robust flavor feel free to add a small amount of ginger to the mix.
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic: Begin by heating a tablespoon of sesame oil (or any oil you prefer) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Mix the sauce ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and water. Stir well until the honey dissolves completely.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Add this mixture to the pan with the sautéed garlic and stir well. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats.
- Simmer and cook: Let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it’s thickened to your desired consistency, remove the pan from the heat. The sauce is now ready to be used for your stir fry!
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the garlic: Garlic is the star of the sauce, so don’t skimp on it! The fresher, the better.
- Thicken to your liking: If you prefer a thicker sauce, feel free to add more cornstarch slurry. For a thinner sauce, use less.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or a little maple syrup.
- Double the recipe: If you’re cooking for a crowd, this sauce can be easily doubled. Simply increase the quantities and store the extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover garlic stir fry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. This sauce can also be used to dip pancakes or spring rolls in.
- Freezing: This sauce can be frozen for up to three months. Just place it in a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you use it.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a 5-star review ⭐ below if you loved it! Tag @Heat_recipes on Instagram.