Description
This easy 3-Ingredient Stir-Fry Sauce is a quick, versatile, and flavorful sauce made from simple pantry staples—soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, and rice vinegar. It perfectly balances savory, sweet, and tangy notes to elevate any stir-fry with vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Ready in under five minutes, it is ideal for busy weeknights and can be customized for dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free/low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (alternatives: agave syrup, brown sugar, sugar substitute)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (alternatives: apple cider vinegar, lemon juice)
Instructions
- Measure Your Ingredients: Gather equal parts soy sauce, honey (or alternative), and rice vinegar—typically 2 tablespoons each. Measuring upfront ensures balanced flavor and speeds up cooking.
- Combine and Whisk: Place all three ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until the honey is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth, ensuring even coating for your stir-fry.
- Add to Stir-Fry: When your vegetables and protein are nearly cooked, pour the sauce over the skillet. Toss everything together over medium heat, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat every bite with flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat once the sauce is glossy and succulent, then plate your stir-fry. Optionally garnish with toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness or tanginess by varying honey or vinegar amounts to taste.
- Use fresh soy sauce and good-quality rice vinegar for best flavor.
- Keep heat medium when adding sauce to avoid burning honey’s sugars.
- Whisk thoroughly to achieve a smooth, silky sauce.
- Add the sauce near the end of cooking for optimal flavor and texture.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; stir before use.
- Avoid freezing the sauce as honey may crystallize and alter texture.
- Reheat gently over medium heat, adding water if sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg