Peanut Sauce for Stir Fries
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Servings
2 - 3 people
-
Calories
122 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Condiments
-
Cuisine
Asian
Peanut Sauce for Stir Fries
Description
The Peanut Sauce for Stir Fries recipe combines a mix of fish sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic and ginger, curry powder, peanut butter, and water. The fish sauce adds complexity, dark soy enhances color and flavor, while curry powder introduces spice notes. Mixing these ingredients creates a creamy, slightly thick sauce that binds proteins, vegetables, or noodles.
In preparation, the sauce is cooked briefly with stir-fried protein and vegetables, which are added in sequence based on cooking times. The sauce thickens as it heats, coating the ingredients evenly. This layering of ingredients preserves vegetable texture and supports balanced flavors.
The finished dish can be served over cooked rice or rice noodles, garnished with chopped peanuts and cilantro for added texture and freshness. This sauce supports a range of proteins and vegetables, making it adaptable within stir fry meals.
For storage, the sauce keeps 3-5 days refrigerated, with fresh garlic and ginger best added before use to maintain flavor. Pre-cooking hardy vegetables like broccoli is recommended to ensure tenderness during faster stir fry cooking.
Ingredients
Peanut Sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (Note 1)
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 2)
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch or cornflour
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 1 tsp ginger grated
- 1 tsp curry powder (any type)
- 1 1/2 tbsp / 30 g peanut butter Note 1, crunchy, regular
- 3 tbsp water
TO USE THE SAUCE:
Stir Fry
- 1 peanut sauce above, single batch
- 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 1 - 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- 180- 200g / 6 - 7 oz Protein of choice, sliced
- 3 - 4 cups vegetables Note 4, of choice, chopped or sliced, grouped by cooking time
Noodle Stir Fry - you will need
- peanut sauce tap Servings & slide, double batch
- stir-fry ingredients see above
- 100g / 3.5 oz dried rice noodles prepared per packet, or 180g/6 oz fresh noodles of choice
Garnish (optional):
- Coriander finely chopped coriander (aka cilantro), crushed peanuts
- peanuts finely chopped coriander (aka cilantro), crushed peanuts
Instructions
Peanut Sauce:
- Place all ingredients other than water in a bowl. Mix to combine. Then add water and mix again.
For STIR FRY:
- Heat oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic and 1/2 sliced onion. Cook 1 minute.
- Add protein of choice or sliced tofu. Cook 2 minutes until just cooked.
- Add vegetables in order of time to cook, starting with the veggies that take the longer. Cook briefly until just cooked but still crisp.
- Add delicate veggies (eg bean sprouts, spinach and other leafy greens) and Sauce. Toss until Sauce thickens (add extra water if needed).
- Garnish with peanuts and coriander / cilantro, if using. Serve over rice - or for a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice!
For NOODLES:
- Follow Stir Fry directions. Add NOODLES with the Sauce in step 4.
- Toss for 1 - 2 minutes until Sauce thickens and coats noodles. Remove from heat, garnish and serve immediately!
Notes
- Use regular or unsweetened peanut butter for the sauce; it provides the needed flavor and texture.
- Fish sauce is essential for depth of flavor; its aroma fades once cooked.
- Dark soy sauce adds richer flavor and color, but normal soy sauce can be substituted.
- When stir frying, add vegetables in order of cooking time, placing tougher stems or dense vegetables first, then delicate greens last.
- Broccoli and similar vegetables should be cooked before adding to the stir fry for tenderness.
- Store the sauce in the fridge for 3 to 5 days; omit garlic and ginger for longer storage and add fresh when ready to use.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2- 3 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 122 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 52g | |
| Calories | 122cal | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
