Stir-fries are so easy to make and a terrific way to use up some of those veggies in the refrigerator that need to go quickly. This Easy Veggie Stir-Fry with sweet and sour sauce is a great recipe for that, and any vegetables you prefer can be used.
Begin by making the sweet and sour sauce which can be done by simply mixing the sauce ingredients in a bowl. You’ll need to mix in the fire-roasted tomatoes, crushed pineapple, apple juice concentrate, soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), rice vinegar, basil, and cornstarch or another thickener. Once it’s whisked together well, set the sauce to the side.
Next, dice up the vegetables to be used. If you really want to speed the process up, buy pre-cut veggies. Personally, I always buy bags of broccoli florets that have already been chopped up to save time cooking.
Once everything is diced and chopped, set them to the side while you toast the sesame seeds.
Place the sesame seeds in a hot wok or pan and cook over medium heat until the seeds become fragrant and begin to pop. This takes about 2-3 minutes. Once they begin to turn a light brown, remove them from the heat immediately or they will begin to burn. Pour them into a bowl and set them to the side.
Place the wok back on the stovetop and add approximately 3 tablespoons of veggie broth or water to the pan then add the onions and garlic and saute for about 2-minutes. Add a little more veggie broth as needed to prevent sticking.
Next, toss in the other vegetables–broccoli, celery, carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms, or others that you are using–along with 3/4 vegetable broth and cover with a lid and cook for about 3 minutes.
I like to add seitan, tofu, or tempeh to this stir-fry to make it even more hearty. If you aren’t sure what seitan is, it’s a terrific little vegan meat replacer that you can buy already cooked or at home. I like to add it to many different recipes.
Stir in the sauce mixture and continue to cook until the sauce thickens. This should only take about 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the heat, top with the toasted sesame seeds, and serve over rice or noodles.
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Your veggie stir-fry questions answered:
Q: What vegetables go with a stir-fry? Some of the most common veggies used are broccoli, onion, celery, carrots, bell peppers, mushroom, baby corn, and water chestnuts. However, you can use any veggies preferred.
Q: What to add to a stir-fry to make it better? It's all about the SAUCE! The sweet and sour sauce used in this recipe is great, and I have other Stir-Fry Sauce Recipes that will work as well.
Q: Do I have to add the vegan meat replacers? No, not at all! This stir-fry is delicious on its own with just the vegetables.
Q: Can I use regular diced tomatoes? Yes. I like the fire-roasted tomatoes because they add even more flavor, but diced tomatoes will work well too.
Q: Where will I find apple juice concentrate? This can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store. It is very common and should be easy to find. However, you can substitute apple juice if needed.
Q: How long will this keep? In an airtight container, it should last about 5-7 days in the refrigerator. It freezes well too.