Here are eight easy plant-based Chinese stir-fry ideas for quick, flavorful meals. Each uses simple ingredients, common Chinese seasonings, and can be ready in 20-30 minutes. Serve with rice or noodles unless noted.
- Tofu and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Firm tofu (cubed), broccoli florets, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil.
- Method: Press tofu, pan-fry until crispy. Stir-fry broccoli, garlic, and ginger. Add tofu, soy sauce, and hoisin. Cook 2-3 minutes.
- Tip: Add chili flakes for heat.
- Mushroom and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Mixed mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, or button), bell peppers (red/yellow), scallions, soy sauce, oyster sauce (vegan), rice vinegar.
- Method: Sauté mushrooms until golden. Add peppers and scallions. Toss with soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, and vinegar.
- Tip: Garnish with sesame seeds.
- Eggplant and Green Bean Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Chinese eggplant (cubed), green beans, garlic, soy sauce, black bean sauce, sugar.
- Method: Stir-fry eggplant until soft. Add green beans and garlic. Mix in soy sauce, black bean sauce, and a pinch of sugar.
- Tip: Use long, thin eggplants for faster cooking.
- Cabbage and Carrot Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Napa cabbage (shredded), carrots (julienned), garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil.
- Method: Stir-fry garlic and ginger. Add cabbage and carrots. Splash with soy sauce and rice wine. Finish with sesame oil.
- Tip: Add tofu skin strips for texture.
- Snow Pea and Water Chestnut Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Snow peas, water chestnuts (sliced), garlic, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), white pepper.
- Method: Stir-fry snow peas and water chestnuts with garlic. Add soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and a dash of white pepper.
- Tip: Keep snow peas crisp by cooking briefly.
- Zucchini and Wood Ear Mushroom Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Zucchini (sliced), rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil.
- Method: Soak wood ears, then slice. Stir-fry with zucchini and garlic. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and a drizzle of chili oil.
- Tip: Wood ears add a crunchy texture.
- Bok Choy and Shiitake Stir-Fry
- Ingredients: Baby bok choy (halved), shiitake mushrooms, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Method: Sauté mushrooms and garlic. Add bok choy, ginger, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Cook until bok choy is tender.
- Tip: Use fresh shiitakes for better flavor.
- Mixed Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tempeh
- Ingredients: Tempeh (cubed), mixed veggies (carrots, snap peas, broccoli), garlic, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil.
- Method: Pan-fry tempeh until golden. Stir-fry veggies and garlic. Add tempeh, soy sauce, and hoisin. Finish with sesame oil.
- Tip: Marinate tempeh in soy sauce for extra flavor.
Notes:
- Use high heat and a wok or large skillet for best results.
- Prep ingredients in advance; stir-fries cook fast.
- Adjust soy sauce or salt to taste. Vegan oyster sauce is available at Asian markets or online.
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Enjoy these quick, healthy meals!