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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian Main Course Recipes

Vegetable Stir Fry with Orange Sauce

Published: Nov 14, 2019 · Modified: Aug 23, 2024 by Brooke Fajcz · As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Craving stir fry takeout?  Once the veggies are prepped, this vegetable stir fry with orange sauce cooks in only 10 minutes flat.  This one skillet dinner will save your sanity on your busiest weeknights.

If you are looking for other Asian meatless recipes, you'll love our green curry lentils and our Thai vegetable stir fry.

person holding a spoonful of vegetable stir fry
Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to Make Vegetable Stir Fry
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serve
  • Expert Tip
  • Other Asian Recipes You'll Enjoy
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients

glass bowls of ingredients for vegetable stir fry

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

  • Need this to be gluten free?  Use arrowroot and tamari.
  • Want this to be vegan?  Replace the butter in the brown rice for vegan butter or your oil of choice.
  • Want this to be spicier?  Add crushed red pepper flakes or minced red chili.
  • Want to add a meat?  Try 2 cups of chicken thighs, pork, beef, or shrimp, but marinate it first in some of the orange sauce for 20 minutes.
  • Want to add a protein?  Add chick peas, tofu, or nuts.
  • Want more add ins?  Try water chestnuts and baby corn cobs.
  • Want other ideas for garnishes?  Try chopped green onion, toasted sesame seeds, orange zest, or orange slices.

How to Make Vegetable Stir Fry

Gather the ingredients to make the orange sauce: soy sauce, orange juice, orange zest, cornstarch, and sugar.  Get some sesame seeds to use as a garnish if desired.

whisking the sauce and cooking the carrots
  1. Pour the orange juice, soy sauce, and sugar into a medium sized bowl, then add the cornstarch and orange zest. Whisk until combined. (image 1)
  2. Heat the olive oil in two large, heavy-bottomed skillets set over high heat.  Divide the carrots between the two skillets, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. (image 2)
cooking the veggies in a skillet
  1. Add the rest of the vegetables and cook for 6 minutes, stirring constantly. (image 3)
  2. They should be tender crisp, not soggy. (image 4)
mixing in the sauce and serving the stir fry with rice
  1. Re-whisk the orange sauce, then make a hole in the center of the vegetables and pour it in. Let the sauce bubble for a few seconds until it's thickened, then mix it in with the rest of the vegetables and cook for one more minute, stirring constantly. (image 5)
  2. Serve over warm brown rice. Garnish each plate with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and eat with chopsticks. (image 6)

Recipe FAQs

What is a foolproof formula for stir fries?

Rice: Start by cooking the rice, since this takes some time.
Meat: Slice as thin as possible, cutting against the grain.  Marinate for the best flavor.
Protein: If using, rinse and drain the chickpeas, chop up the tofu, or add cashews.
Veggies: Cut them thinly, or use quick cooking vegetables.
Aromatics: Slice the ginger, mince or smash the garlic, or chop the scallions.
Thickener: Make a cornstarch and water slurry with a 1:1 ratio.
Spicy Heat: Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, chop up the red chilies, or pour in the sriracha.
Sauce: Make a homemade sauce; it's easier than you think.

How do you make a homemade sauce?

Base: soy sauce, tamari (gluten free), or coconut aminos (paleo-friendly)
Liquid: chicken stock or orange juice
Aromatics: grated ginger, minced garlic, orange zest
Sweetener: sugar, honey, agave nectar
Vinegar: Rice vinegar
Sauce: Oyster or hoisin
Oil: If using, use sesame seed oil or homemade chili oil
Spices: if needed, white pepper and or a pinch of salt

What oils are best for stir fries?

Since stir fries are cooked at a high heat, use an oil that has a high smoke point.  Some popular choices are:
Soybean oil (450°F)
Peanut oil (450°F)
Light/refined olive oil (465°F)
Safflower oil (510°F)
Grapeseed oil (420°F)

What vegetables are best for stir fry?

Quick Cooking Vegetables: snow peas, asparagus, green beans, bok choy, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers
Longer Cooking Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, mushrooms
Aromatics: yellow and red onions, scallions, garlic and ginger root

Can I make prep this stir fry in advance?

Make Ahead: This can be cooked ahead, but undercook the broccoli, so it won't be mushy when you reheat it. If you want your stir fry to be at its freshest, cut all the vegetables, zest and juice the orange, and
make up the orange sauce.  Place it in a mason jar and refrigerate it.
When ready to make, follow the recipe instructions below and it enjoy eating the stir fry in 10 minutes.

Serve

Try serving this stir fry with Southern fried cabbage, beet greens, or sautéed kale with mushrooms.

holding a bowl of vegetable stir fry with chopsticks.

Expert Tip

  • Want to serve this with rice?  Start the rice first, so it's done at the same time.

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Recipe

person holding a spoonful of vegetable stir fry

Vegetable Stir Fry with Orange Sauce

Vegetable stir fry with orange sauce is a healthy recipe that is perfect for your busiest weeknight meals.  This easy meal is served over rice, and is vegetarian and vegan friendly.  When you're craving Chinese, make this quick and simple stir fry for your family to enjoy.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin FavoriteSaved! Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 661kcal
Author: Brooke & Emma

Ingredients
 

For the Brown Rice

  • 2 cups uncooked brown rice, 336g
  • 4 cups water, 945 ml
  • 1 tablespoon butter or vegan butter, 14g

For the Orange Sauce

  • ¾ cup reduced sodium soy sauce, 177 ml
  • ½ cup orange juice, 120 ml
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 20g
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 4 teaspoons sugar, 17g

For the Stir Fry

  • ¼ cup light olive oil, 60 ml
  • 3 cups red bell pepper, cut in 1 inch slices (295g)
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and cut in thin diagonal slices (270g)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, 190g
  • 1 green onions, cut in 1 inch diagonal slices (45g)
  • 2 zucchinis, sliced in ¼ inch coins (500g)
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Keep your screen on while you work!

Instructions

Cooking the Rice

  • Put the water in a 2-quart pot, cover, and bring to a boil.  Stir in some salt until dissolved, then mix in the rice and reduce the heat to medium low.  Cook for 35 minutes with the lid askew, or until all the water is absorbed.
  • Take the pot off the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes.  Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter.

Making the Orange Sauce

  • Whisk together the soy sauce, orange juice, cornstarch, sugar, and orange zest in a small bowl until blended.

Cooking the Stir Fry

  • Heat the oil in two large saucepans or a wok over high heat.  Add the carrots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add the rest of the vegetables and cook for 6 minutes.  Always stirring as you want to keep the vegetables moving so they don't burn.
  • Whisk the orange sauce, as the cornstarch will settle to the bottom of the bowl.  Make a hole in the middle of the vegetables and pour the sauce into the hole.  Let it bubble and thicken up for a few seconds.
  • Mix the orange sauce in with the rest of vegetables and cook for 1 minute while constantly stirring.
  • Serve the stir fry hot over warm brown rice.  Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

  • If you are planning on serving this with rice, start the rice first, so it's done at the same time.

Nutrition

Calories: 661kcal (33%)Carbohydrates: 107g (36%)Protein: 17g (34%)Fat: 20g (31%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 1841mg (80%)Potassium: 1413mg (40%)Fiber: 11g (46%)Sugar: 18g (20%)Vitamin A: 14917IU (298%)Vitamin C: 245mg (297%)Calcium: 142mg (14%)Iron: 4mg (22%)

Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alex

    September 26, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    This orange sauce tastes good on top of all the soft veggies. 🍚 I like the orange carrots and broccoli. There is so much flavor in this stir fry--it just makes you want more. I could easily have two servings of this divine stir fry! 🥕

    Reply
    • Emma

      September 26, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, Alex! I really enjoy this stir fry, too.

      Reply
  2. Beth

    September 25, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    The vegetables are really tasty with the orange 🍊 sauce on top of the rice 🍚. The peppers and the carrots 🥕 and the broccoli are still firm and the sesame seeds add a neat touch.

    Reply
    • Emma

      September 25, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Beth! Stir frys are such a yummy way to eat your veggies!

      Reply

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