As the weather warms up, I find myself craving dishes that are light, fresh, and packed with flavor. One of my go-to recipes for a quick and satisfying meal is a vibrant stir fry loaded with colorful vegetables and drizzled with a rich teriyaki sauce.
This dish is not only a feast for the eyes, but it’s also ready in just a few minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The best part is that you can customize it based on the veggies you have on hand or what’s in season.
By making your own stir fry at home, you can enjoy a healthier version of this favorite dish without sacrificing flavor. The homemade sauce adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat, and it’s a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
A Fresh and Flavorful Summer Meal
This summer veggie stir-fry is a celebration of the season’s bounty, packed with a variety of colorful vegetables and a savory teriyaki glaze. The dish combines crisp-tender vegetables with a glossy teriyaki glaze that coats every piece with sweet-savory goodness.
It’s a simple recipe to make, especially if you have the sauce ready to go. The stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners when you don’t want to spend too much time cooking in a hot kitchen.
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick to Make | Ready in under 30 minutes |
| Packed with Vegetables | More veggies than noodles |
| Perfect for Meal Prep | Stores well for lunches throughout the week |
The homemade teriyaki sauce elevates this simple dish to something special, with a depth of flavor you can’t get from store-bought versions. This recipe is perfect for meal prep, as it stores well and can be enjoyed for lunches throughout the week.
Why You’ll Love This Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
Making this homemade teriyaki stir-fry is incredibly satisfying, and for good reason. It’s a healthy meal that’s ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy summer evenings.
This stir fry recipe is not only quick but also packed with vibrant summer veggies that retain their nutrients and color due to the stir-fry method. Here are a few reasons why this dish stands out:
- It’s ideal for both weeknight dinners and casual entertaining, offering a perfect blend of quick preparation and impressive results.
- The dish is versatile, serving as a complete meal on its own or as a side dish alongside grilled proteins.
- By making it at home, you control the ingredients, reducing sodium and sugar compared to restaurant versions.
- The stir fry requires minimal cleanup with just one pan, adding to its appeal.
- It’s a delicious way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
Ingredients for Summer Veggie Stir-Fry with Teriyaki Glaze
Let’s dive into the ingredients required for a mouth-watering summer veggie stir-fry with teriyaki glaze. The dish is divided into two main components: the stir-fry base and the teriyaki glaze.
For the Stir-Fry Base
The stir-fry base consists of a variety of fresh summer vegetables. While the specific vegetables can be customized based on preference, typical choices include bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and carrots.
For the Teriyaki Glaze
key ingredients: 1/2 cup chicken broth, 3 tablespoons mirin, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and 2 cloves garlic minced. The soy sauce and sugar provide a salty-sweet flavor, while garlic adds depth. You can adjust the amount of sugar and soy sauce to taste.
How to Make the Perfect Teriyaki Glaze
A good teriyaki glaze can make all the difference in your summer veggie stir-fry, and I’m here to guide you through making it.
To start, add the sauce ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk everything together. The mixture should include soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and other flavor enhancers that give teriyaki its distinctive taste.
To achieve the right consistency, heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a glossy sauce. Be careful not to burn the sugar in the sauce.
Tips for making the perfect teriyaki glaze include adjusting the heat to prevent burning and whisking constantly to avoid lumps. You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it properly for future use.
Preparing Your Vegetables for Stir-Frying
To achieve a perfect stir-fry, it’s crucial to prepare your vegetables correctly. Proper prep work ensures that your veggies cook evenly and quickly, resulting in a dish that’s both healthy and flavorful.
Cutting your vegetables uniformly is key to successful stir-frying. For dense vegetables like carrots, slice them into thin strips or coins to help them cook faster. For bell peppers, remove the seeds and slice them into thin strips. This ensures that all the vegetables are cooked to perfection.
It’s also helpful to prep your vegetables ahead of time. Wash, dry, and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. When you’re ready to start stir-frying, heat oil in a skillet until very hot. Add the harder vegetables like carrots first, and then add softer ones like zucchini later, based on their density and water content.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a delicious and stress-free stir-fry that’s sure to become a favorite.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
With all our vegetables and teriyaki glaze prepared, it’s time to bring everything together in a quick and flavorful stir-fry. The process involves cooking the base, stir-frying the vegetables, and finally combining everything with the teriyaki glaze.
Cooking the Base
First, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your choice of protein (I’ve used chicken for this recipe) and cook until it’s browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Stir-Frying the Vegetables
Next, add the remaining oil to the pan if necessary, then add in the broccoli and peppers. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often, until the veggies are tender-crisp. If you prefer your vegetables softer, give it a little longer. The key is to stir frequently to prevent burning.
Now, let’s look at a general guide for cooking various vegetables:
| Vegetable | Cooking Time (minutes) | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | 3-4 | Tender-crisp |
| Bell Peppers | 3-4 | Crisp-tender |
| Carrots | 4-5 | Tender |
After cooking your vegetables to the desired doneness, add the chicken back to the pan and stir in the teriyaki glaze (whisk it again quickly before pouring it in). Let it fry for less than a minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and everything is well coated. Then, take the pan off the heat and serve immediately.
By following these steps, you’ll achieve a perfectly cooked summer veggie stir-fry with a delicious teriyaki glaze, ready in minutes.
Customizing Your Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
The beauty of summer veggie stir-fry lies in its customizability. You can easily make it your own by adding or substituting different ingredients.
Protein Additions
To make your stir-fry more substantial, consider adding protein sources like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. These additions not only enhance the flavor but also increase the nutritional value of your meal.
Vegetable Variations
You can replace or omit any vegetables in the recipe. Broccoli, cauliflower, and bok choy are great substitutions. Other summer veggies like bell pepper, snow peas, and Chinese eggplant work well in stir-fries. Grouping vegetables by cooking time can help you make successful substitutions. For example, pair quick-cooking veggies like bell pepper and snow peas with harder veggies like broccoli.
Serving and Storage Tips
To get the most out of your summer veggie stir-fry, consider these serving and storage suggestions. Serve the noodles in bowls with sliced green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. For leftovers, cool the dish properly before refrigerating. It keeps well for up to 4 days. You can also freeze portions for longer storage. When reheating, do so quickly to prevent vegetables from becoming soggy. Feel free to repurpose leftovers into new meals like grain bowls or salad toppers, making it a versatile dish for busy weeknights or meal prep.
