Cooking up stir fry tonight and need some recipe inspiration for a side dish or two that will pair perfectly? Here’s what to serve with stir fry: 23 sides from a variety of Asian cuisines that will go well with most stir fry meals!
Tossing together a stir fry requires little more than a variety of vegetables, a nice sauce, and some creativity.
That’s why it’s a favorite weeknight dinner for busy folks who want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying their fresh, hot meal.
Once the easy part is out of the way, though, you’re left wondering, “What goes well with stir fry?”
The answer is pretty much anything you’d like!
Classic Asian flavors and tenderly sauteed veggies are a great starting point for you to try out all kinds of global cuisines, so we’ve put together a few ideas to inspire your inner chef.
Take a look at savory Garlic Sesame Broccoli, the zing of General Tso’s Cauliflower, right-sized Jumbo Chinese Vegetable Egg Rolls, and the unexpectedly piquant Chinese Stir-Fried Shredded Potatoes.
And be sure to check out #22 for a surprising little air fryer appetizer we discovered!
Heat up your wok, julienne your carrots, and let’s get cooking!
What’s one of the yummiest sides for stir fry?
Even more stir fry, of course!
Whip up this simple medley of green beans and baby corn, then finish it off with a lightly sweet, slightly spicy honey chili sauce.
If you prefer other veggies, like broccoli, carrots, or water chestnuts, experiment with a few of your favorites to create a winning combination.
For the nights you have a little extra time on your hands, spice up a simple stir fry with a more involved side.
Chinese hot and sour soup combines complex flavors like toasted sesame, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms for an exciting twist on egg drop soup.
The traditional hot and sour soup contains pork, but this recipe can easily be adapted to work with your favorite protein.
Meat is usually considered the star of the show at dinnertime but happily plays second fiddle when a hearty stir fry accompanies it.
Before you start chopping up your veg, toss a chicken breast in a lemon teriyaki marinade.
Then, while you’re working away in the wok, bake your chicken for 30 minutes and ser
Get ready to meet your standout favorite amongst the rankings of stir fry side dishes.
But what’s this cauliflower recipe’s secret that makes it so unique?
Give broccoli’s paler cousin a quick toss in avocado oil and salt for savory caramelized edges that trap plenty of flavorful, gingery General Tso’s sauce.
Why stop the veggie train at your main course when you’ve got these kinds of stir fry sides pulling up to the station?
It only takes five ingredients and five minutes of cooking time to recreate this incredible garlic sesame broccoli.
Well, it also takes a whole lot of self-control to keep yourself from claiming all of this garlicky goodness for yourself.
With the perfect amount of crisp on the outside and tender veggies on the inside, these Chinese spring rolls take your stir fry from so-so to “Seconds, please!”
These fried delights are pretty tasty on their own, but if you’re looking for a dip, try them with a plum or creamy peanut sauce.
Hello, jumbo!
Water chestnut fans who crave that distinct crunch will go wild for rich teriyaki chicken to accompany their stir fry.
For an extra-impressive presentation, skip the premixed bottles of teriyaki and try your hand at this simple yet delicious recipe.
Miso is famous for its succulent nutty, umami flavor, so pairing it with blanched spinach just makes sense.
If you have dinner guests over who claim they don’t like to eat their leafy greens, a helping of this spinach with sesame miso sauce might change their minds.
Sauteed cucumbers might sound a little strange, given that they are more commonly enjoyed raw or pickled, but this preparation coaxes out some uniquely tantalizing flavors from the humble cuke.
The key to keeping things crispy and fresh is squeezing out all of the water before you flash fry them in a shallow pan.
We would be remiss to leave off the quintessential staple of stir fry sides: rice.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that we can’t mix things up a bit, either.
Make it plain or double-dip with stir fry flavors by tossing in sauteed red cabbage, onion, peppers, and a splash of soy sauce.
Skip the drive-thru and create your own orange chicken for a tangy taste you can’t resist.
Serve your stir-fried veggies and crispy chicken on top of steamed, white rice for a citrusy twist on your typical weeknight meal.
In case you’re still pondering over what goes well with stir fry, we present an irresistible concoction of quinoa tender green onion, broccoli, peas, and carrots, and scrambled eggs.
The real champion of this side is the quick-and-easy sauce with lots of fragrant spices.
The flavor is mild enough to let the soy and ginger shine but adds an attention-grabbing nuttiness of quinoa that goes well with the sesame oil.
In less time than it takes to find something to watch on Netflix, you could have scrumptious sides for stir fry on the table, like this 10-minute garlic bok choy.
The delicate flavors of baby bok choy combine beautifully with fragrant shallots and garlic caramelized in sesame oil.
Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for a hint of heat that enhances all that goodness.
As the wise hobbit, Samwise Gamgee, once said, “Po-tay-toes… the Gaffer’s delight, and rare good ballast for an empty belly.”
We’re mega-fans of the versatile potato ourselves, so it’s no wonder these little matchstick tubers are one of our top picks for stir fry sides.
This recipe takes some prior planning (about three weeks of it, in fact), but the result is worth the wait.
Suan cai, or pickled mustard greens, are a Chinese delicacy and one that boldly answers the call of “What goes with stir fry?!”
All you’ll need to get started on the pickling process is gai choy, washed rice water, kosher salt, and enough patience to let these babies ripen to maturity.
What do sunshine, sandy beaches, and zucchini all have in common?
They’re best enjoyed in the summertime when this iconic green squash is at its peak.
Capitalize on a fresh harvest by pairing your stir fry with a briny zucchini salad enhanced with Saewoo Jeot, a salted, fermented fish popular in Korea.
In case you don’t have an Asian market close by, you can swap out the Saewoo Jeot with fish or soy sauce.
🍲🍲 Want more Korean side dishes? Ta-da! >>
Black rice vinegar and dried chilis take the freshness of napa cabbage to new heights!
If you’ve never tried black rice vinegar, you might be a little taken aback by the intense aroma and sour taste.
Once you’ve dressed your sauteed cabbage, garlic, and scallions in it, you may never want to eat stir fry sides without a drizzle or two.
Speaking of rice vinegar, expand your repertoire with spicy broccoli florets tossed in a light dressing featuring sweet rice vinegar, along with sesame oil, grated ginger, and soy sauce.
Spicy Asian-style broccoli makes an excellent choice of sides for stir fry because its sharp taste contrasts nicely with the saucy saute of vegetables.
19. Teriyaki Salmon
Pink, flakey salmon, AND teriyaki sauce?
This one’s sure to be a winner with your stir fry dinner.
Salmon is an excellent choice for stir-fried veggies because it’s hearty enough to stand up to the heat but delicate enough to remain tender through the cooking process.
20. Cabbage Thoran
Cabbage Thoran is an absolutely, undeniably sumptuous blend of shredded cabbage, carrots, and coconut seasoned with an array of exotic spices that are sure to ignite your taste buds.
We’re talking spice cabinet goodies like curry leaves, dried chilis, and turmeric.
The secret ingredient in the spice mix is hing, which comes from the giant fennel plant.
The best part is that you don’t have to head down to India to get your hands on a bottle, as long as you can handle waiting two days for Prime shipping to drop off your new favorite spice.
Since you’re already headed down the baking aisle to grab shredded coconut for Cabbage Thoran, you might as well pick up a can of creamy coconut milk.
It’s essential to recreate the delicately sweet broth surrounding juicy chunks of chicken in this Thai-inspired recipe that gives other sides for stir fry a run for their money.
If you’re eager to give tofu a try, this recipe could transform you into a passionate fan of the soybean-based alternative to traditional proteins.
It’s a great choice when you’re wondering what to serve with stir fry.
It doesn’t get much better than crispy, low-oil air fryer tofu coated in flaky, toasted coconut.
Make this light and tangy-sweet cucumber salad in just 10 minutes, enough time to mingle the rice wine vinegar, onion and sesame oil.
I would also add a touch of ginger, but I love it in everything.
The sweetness here comes from honey! If you have a robust stir fry, this side will surely be a light, crisp touch to come alongside.
The bottom line
Take your tastebuds on a journey that just might convince even your pickiest dinner guests to tuck into a saucy stir fry happily.
Whether you choose tantalizing hot and sour Napa cabbage, slightly sweet General Tso’s cauliflower, or creamy Thai coconut chicken, it’s tough to go wrong with any of these stir fry side dish selections.
🥬🥬 Learn more about kimchi here. >>
What To Serve With Stir Fry🍴
Cooking up stir fry tonight and need some recipe inspiration? Here’s what to serve with stir fry: 23 sides from a variety of Asian cuisines!
Ingredients
- Stir-Fried Vegetable Side Dish
- Chinese Hot And Sour Soup
- Lemon Marinated Baked Chicken Breast
- General Tso's Cauliflower
- Garlic Sesame Broccoli
- Jumbo Chinese Vegetable Spring Rolls
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Spinach With Sesame Miso Sauce
- Sauteed Korean Cucumber
- Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Baked Orange Chicken
- Easy Quinoa Fried Rice
- 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy
- Chinese Stir-Fried Shredded Potatoes
- Pickled Mustard Greens
- Korean Zucchini With Saewoo Jeot
- Hot And Sour Napa Cabbage
- Spicy Asian-Style Broccoli
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Cabbage Thoran
- Thai Coconut Chicken
- Air Fryer Coconut Crusted Tofu Bites
- Asian Cucumber Salad
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of recipes for what to serve with stir fry!
- Create your new favorite dish.
- Pat yourself on the back for making food at home!
- Share and comment! Did you make any tweaks so it’s all your own?
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