Get ready to elevate every stir fry night with this truly BEST Stir Fry Sauce—your new ride-or-die flavor bomb! With just a handful of fresh and pantry-friendly ingredients, you’ll have a glossy, restaurant-worthy sauce that coats veggies and proteins like magic. This simple recipe comes together in minutes and is so versatile, you’ll never want to buy store-bought again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultra Versatile: This sauce blends beautifully with any combo of proteins and veggies—just shake, pour, and you’re ready to stir fry!
Better Than Takeout: Fresh ginger and garlic give it an unbeatable depth that’ll make you want to skip the delivery.
Fuss-Free Pantry Staples: Everything comes together with ingredients you probably already have, so dinner’s never more than a few minutes away.
Easily Customizable Heat Level: Make it as mild or fiery as you want, thanks to easy add-ins like sriracha or chili flakes.

BEST Stir Fry Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make the BEST Stir Fry Sauce—and every element matters! These essentials ensure the sauce is balanced, deeply savory, and just the right amount of sticky to coat every bite beautifully.

Low Sodium Chicken Broth (or Vegetable Broth): This forms the savory backbone and adds a subtle richness, with veggie broth as a perfect vegan swap.
Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Brings tons of umami and salty depth, but the lower sodium means your dish never gets too salty.
Honey: Adds a gentle touch of sweetness and gorgeous gloss—plus, it balances the salty and spicy notes perfectly.
Sesame Oil: Just a splash delivers that signature toasty, nutty aroma you crave in authentic stir fry.
Minced Fresh Ginger: Zippy, bright, and deeply aromatic, it wakes up the sauce like nothing else.
Minced Garlic: Three cloves pack the sauce with punchy, delightful flavor (more is always welcome!).
Cornstarch: Whisks in seamlessly to thicken the sauce until it’s velvety and coats every ingredient.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Sriracha, or Sweet Chili Sauce (Optional): Choose your favorite add-in to dial the heat to your exact preference.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This recipe is a dream for customizers! The BEST Stir Fry Sauce is endlessly adaptable for your favorite flavors, dietary needs, or whatever you’ve got hanging out in the pantry or fridge.

Gluten-Free: Make it entirely gluten-free by swapping soy sauce for gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.
Vegan: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken, and swap honey for real maple syrup for a plant-based version that’s just as bold and delicious.
Extra Spicy: Add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of sriracha if you want lingering heat in every bite.
Sweeter or More Tart: Experiment with agave or brown sugar for a different sweetness, or stir in a tiny splash of rice vinegar for tang if you like things punchier!

How to Make BEST Stir Fry Sauce

Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients

To get started, grab a medium mixing bowl or a large jar with a tight lid. Add the chicken or veggie broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, minced ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. If you’re chasing some heat, this is where you’ll toss in your red pepper flakes, sriracha, or sweet chili sauce. The beauty of this method? All the flavor magic happens in just one vessel—minimal mess, maximum reward!

Step 2: Whisk or Shake Until Smooth

Use a sturdy whisk to blend everything together until both the cornstarch and honey are fully dissolved—no lumps allowed! If you opted for a jar, just screw the lid on tight and shake, shake, shake until the sauce is glossy and uniform. This step ensures a silky, lump-free sauce that thickens just right in the pan.

Step 3: Use or Store

At this point, you can use your BEST Stir Fry Sauce straight away—or stash it in an airtight jar in the fridge to make dinner prep even easier on busy nights. When you’re ready, just give it a quick stir or shake, then pour it over your favorite mix of stir-fried protein and veggies for a meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.

Pro Tips for Making BEST Stir Fry Sauce

Fresh Ginger & Garlic Power: Mince both right before using—pre-minced versions just can’t compare to the punch and fragrance of fresh!
Whisk Cornstarch Thoroughly: Take that extra minute to dissolve the cornstarch so the sauce thickens evenly—no clumps, just silky perfection.
Balance the Sweetness: Taste the sauce before using and adjust the honey to your liking; depending on your brand of soy sauce, you might want an extra drizzle for balance.
Shake Before Each Use: If you’ve made the sauce in advance, give it a vigorous shake or stir before pouring—cornstarch likes to settle at the bottom!

How to Serve BEST Stir Fry Sauce

Garnishes

Don’t skip a flourish of garnishes! Sprinkle your stir fry with toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or even a handful of fresh cilantro for brilliant pops of color, crunch, and aroma. A final crack of black pepper or drizzle of toasted sesame oil also amps up the flavor and feels oh-so-fancy.

Side Dishes

For the full experience, serve your stir fry over fluffy jasmine rice, brown rice, or pillowy steamed rice noodles. If you’re feeling bold, cauliflower rice or quinoa makes for a fantastic low-carb base that soaks up every drop of the BEST Stir Fry Sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the bowl! Fill crisp lettuce cups with your saucy stir fry for a light, hand-held twist, or pack your creation in meal-prep lunchboxes for color-packed weekday work lunches. You can even drizzle leftover sauce over grilled meats, use as a dipping sauce for dumplings, or toss with roasted veggies straight from the oven—so much flavor, so little effort!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your BEST Stir Fry Sauce tasting fresh, store any leftovers in a glass jar or airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay perfectly good for up to one week—making stir fry nights even faster and more fuss-free!

Freezing

This sauce is freezer-friendly! Pour cooled sauce into an ice cube tray or small freezer-safe containers. Pop out a cube or two as needed for single servings or quick weeknight cooking—just thaw in the fridge or melt in a warm pan before using.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in short intervals, whisking as you go. The cornstarch may thicken up more after chilling—just add a teaspoon or two of water and whisk to loosen to your preferred consistency.

FAQs

Can I use this stir fry sauce for meal prep?

Absolutely! The BEST Stir Fry Sauce holds up beautifully in the fridge for up to one week or can be frozen in advance, making it perfect for prepping ahead and having on hand for extra-speedy weeknight meals.
How do I make a gluten-free version?

Simply substitute tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos) for the regular soy sauce for a completely gluten-free, worry-free experience.
Can the sauce be doubled or tripled?

Yes! Multiply the ingredients as needed to make a big batch—just store any extra in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer, and you’ll always be ready for dinner in a flash.
What if my sauce is too thick or too thin?

If the sauce is too thick after simmering, whisk in a splash of broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If too thin, let it simmer a bit longer in the pan or add an extra half-teaspoon of cornstarch (dissolved in water first) and cook until thickened.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like whipping up the BEST Stir Fry Sauce and watching dinner come together in minutes—vibrant, saucy, and packed with flavor. I hope you’ll give this homemade favorite a try and discover just how simple and delicious your stir fry nights can be. Enjoy every saucy bite!

BEST Stir Fry Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 128 reviews

Author: Jessica
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup of sauce
Category: Stovetop
Method: Stovetop

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Description

This recipe for the BEST Stir Fry Sauce is easy to make and perfect for adding flavor to your stir fry dishes. With a balance of savory, sweet, and a hint of spice, this sauce will take your stir fry to the next level.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Sauce:

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Optional for spice:

crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, or sweet chili sauce

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Instructions

Combine all ingredients: In a jar or bowl, whisk or shake all the sauce ingredients until fully combined.
Storage: Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To use the sauce for stir fry: Heat oil in a skillet or wok, cook protein, remove, stir fry vegetables, add back protein, pour in sauce, cook until thickened, and serve over rice.

Notes

To make this sauce gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.
For a vegan version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and pure maple syrup for honey.
This recipe yields about 1 cup of sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 35
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg