This vibrant and crisp Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry is a quick, colorful, and healthy dinner that truly celebrates the season. Bursting with fresh vegetables like asparagus, snap peas, and bell peppers, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes and delivers on both taste and texture. With a savory garlic-ginger sauce that ties everything together, it’s the ultimate weeknight meal—light, satisfying, and ridiculously easy to throw together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Flavorful: A celebration of spring’s best produce with a bright, tangy sauce that brings every bite to life.
- Quick to Make: From chopping to serving, you’re looking at under 30 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you just need something fast and nourishing.
- Customizable: Easily adapt this stir-fry to whatever veggies you have on hand. It’s a fridge-friendly, zero-waste kind of meal.
- Healthy and Light: Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and all the good stuff, without sacrificing on flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients make the dish sing with flavor and texture. No exact measurements needed—just follow your taste and what you’ve got!
- Asparagus: Tender and slightly sweet, it adds a fresh crunch. Trim the woody ends before cooking.
- Sugar Snap Peas: These give a juicy, crisp bite that’s hard to beat. Snow peas can be subbed in a pinch.
- Bell Peppers: Any color works, but red and yellow bring the sweetness and the vibrant color.
- Carrots: Add beautiful color and a satisfying crunch. Slice them thinly so they cook quickly.
- Red Onion or Scallions: For a mild, slightly sweet depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Essential for that punchy, aromatic base. Don’t skimp here.
- Fresh Ginger: Bright, zingy, and warming—this brings serious life to the sauce.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari: The salty umami backbone of the sauce. Use low-sodium if you prefer.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds just the right amount of tang to balance the salt and sweetness.
- Sesame Oil: A few drops at the end add irresistible nuttiness.
- Cornstarch Slurry: For thickening the sauce to coat everything beautifully.
- Optional Garnishes: Sesame seeds, chili flakes, or fresh cilantro for that final flourish.
Variations
Let your creativity (and your fridge contents) guide you!
- Add Protein: Tofu, shrimp, thinly sliced chicken, or even a soft-boiled egg turn this into a more filling main course.
- Make it Spicy: Toss in a bit of chili garlic sauce or fresh chopped chili peppers for heat.
- Try Different Veggies: Broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn are all fantastic additions.
- Switch the Base: Serve over noodles, rice, or even quinoa—whatever you’ve got on hand.
How to Make the Delicious Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies
Chop everything beforehand—it’s key to a smooth stir-fry. Slice veggies thinly and evenly so they cook at the same pace.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, a little water, a touch of honey or sugar (optional), grated garlic and ginger, and a cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat the Pan
Get a large skillet or wok hot over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil (avocado or vegetable oil works well).
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Veggies
Start with firmer vegetables like carrots and onions, cooking them for a few minutes until they begin to soften. Then add the asparagus, snap peas, and bell peppers. Stir-fry everything until crisp-tender—bright, colorful, and just cooked.
Step 5: Add the Sauce
Pour in your prepped sauce and stir well. Let it bubble for a minute or two until thickened and glossy, coating all the vegetables.
Step 6: Finish with Sesame Oil
Turn off the heat and drizzle in a little toasted sesame oil. Toss to combine and get ready to serve.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use High Heat: Stir-frying is all about quick cooking at high heat. Keep everything moving to prevent burning.
- Don’t Overcook the Veggies: The charm of this dish is in the crunch. Pull them off the heat while still vibrant and crisp.
- Prep Everything First: Once you start cooking, things move fast—so have all ingredients chopped and ready to go.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic Only: Skip the jarred stuff here. Fresh makes a huge difference in flavor.
How to Serve
This stir-fry is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving:
Over Rice
Classic and comforting—white rice, brown rice, or jasmine all work beautifully.
With Noodles
Toss the veggies and sauce with cooked soba or rice noodles for a satisfying noodle bowl.
As a Side
Serve alongside grilled tofu, salmon, or roasted chicken for a full meal.
Topped with Extras
Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of sriracha for more personality.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled stir-fry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen beautifully by the next day.
Freezing
This dish isn’t ideal for freezing since the vegetables may become mushy, but if you must, freeze in a single layer and reheat gently.
Reheating
Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Stir well and heat just until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, but be mindful of moisture. Thaw and pat dry frozen veggies before stir-frying to avoid a soggy texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce. Double-check all labels if serving someone with gluten sensitivity.
How do I keep vegetables from getting soggy?
Cook over high heat and don’t overcrowd the pan. This ensures everything cooks quickly and stays crisp.
Can I double the recipe for meal prep?
Absolutely. Just make sure to cook in batches so the pan isn’t overcrowded, and keep the sauce on the side until ready to reheat.
Final Thoughts
This Delicious Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry is a total game-changer for busy nights when you want something fresh, fast, and full of flavor. With minimal prep and tons of room to customize, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your favorite way to eat your veggies!
PrintDelicious Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A vibrant and healthy spring vegetable stir-fry packed with seasonal veggies and tossed in a light soy-ginger sauce. Perfect for a quick and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add snap peas, asparagus, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are just tender-crisp.
- Add green onions and stir for another minute.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Pour over the vegetables.
- If using cornstarch, stir in the slurry to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to coat all vegetables evenly.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute or add other spring vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.
- Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles for a complete meal.
- Add tofu or tempeh for extra protein.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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