Stir-Fry for Top Flavor

Updated January 21, 2009
Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

A hint of oil is all you need to cook an Asian-inspired main dish in minutes.

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Asparagus and Shrimp Stir-Fry on Noodle Pillows

Credit: James Carrier

Asparagus and Shrimp Stir-Fry on Noodle Pillows Recipe

Throw an Asian-inspired dinner party and serve this deceptively easy one-dish meal. Make the crispy noodle pillows in three easy steps and then, while they bake, prepare the shrimp-and-veggie stir-fry. Everything will finish at the same time, making this recipe ideal for nights you have company.

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Pork and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower, Claire Spollen

Pork and Asparagus Stir-Fry Recipe

Sake, or rice wine, is fragrant and slightly sweet, a perfect addition to this simple spring stir-fry. You can also use dry sherry wine or a small splash of sherry vinegar. If using larger asparagus, cut lengthwise into slices.

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Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles)

Credit: David Prince

Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles) Recipe

Serve a classic Thai dish of stir-friend noodles cooked with garlic, rice vinegar, paprika, and a hint of brown sugar for sweetness. This one-dish meal is loaded with veggies and shrimp, plus extra-firm tofu for added protein. Top the plated entrée with the signature chopped peanuts and a lime wedge.

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Sesame-crusted Tuna with Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sesame-crusted Tuna with Teriyaki Stir-Fry Recipe

Pair pan-seared ahi tuna steaks with a simple mix of stir-fried vegetables. Cook the colorful mix for about two minute, or until they're crisp-tender. Maintaining the crunch of the vegetables adds great texture to the side dish, which pairs nicely with the tender steaks.

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Cabbage Stir-fry

Cabbage Stir-fry Recipe

When time is short and you need a simple side that's heavy on the veggies, use a wok or a skillet to quickly cook a vibrant mixture of cabbage, bell pepper, and onion. Add a bright spot of flavor with chopped fresh cilantro and lime juice and serve this dish with simple baked chicken or your favorite Asian-style main dish.

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Garlicky Beef-and-Bean Stir-Fry

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Garlicky Beef-and-Bean Stir-Fry Recipe

Cut costs at the supermarket by rethinking how you buy meats. Here, we use a less expensive cut of beef and stretch it by adding colorful fresh veggies to the entrée. Thinly slice the meat and stir-fry it quickly to keep it tender.

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Brown Rice Stir-Fry

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Amanda Widis

Brown Rice Stir-Fry Recipe

Topped with a stir-fried egg, this dish is great for any meal of the day.

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Snow Pea-and-Pork Fried Rice

Credit: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Fonda Shaia

Snow Pea-and-Pork Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice is a take-out favorite, but the extra oil and fat from the restaurant dishes aren't always a welcome addition to the menu. Create the dish at home using dark sesame oil and you'll end up with a main dish that has the familiar Asian flavor with only a fraction of the fat.

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Sweet and Sour Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry

Credit: Brian Kennedy; Styling: Claire Spollen

Sweet and Sour Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe

This dish is mildly spicy; to make it extra kid-friendly, omit the chiles from the sweet and sour sauce.

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Garden Vegetable Stir-fry with Tofu and Brown Rice

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Garden Vegetable Stir-fry with Tofu and Brown Rice Recipe

While this recipe is guaranteed to please the vegetarians at the dinner table, there's no need to keep it locked away until you have a meat-free dinner party. Serve this dish anytime you're craving a colorful buffet of fresh, crisp-tender vegetables packed with flavor. If you like, substitute the tofu for chopped cooked chicken or shrimp.

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Stir-Fried Tilapia, Dill, and Scallion Lettuce Wraps

Credit: Brian Kennedy; Styling: Claire Spollen

Stir-Fried Tilapia, Dill, and Scallion Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Inspired by the classic Vietnamese dish Cha Ca La Vong, these wraps are a fun way to serve up stir-fry. Swap in black cod for tilapia if you prefer a heartier fish.

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Thai-Style Stir-Fried Chicken

Credit: Randy Mayor

Thai-Style Stir-Fried Chicken Recipe

Update chicken night with a delicately-spiced Thai dish. Red curry paste adds authentic flavor to the 15-minute marinade. Prep ingredients first, then get the wok going for a quick-cooking one-dish dinner.

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Drunken Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans

Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

Drunken Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans Recipe

This dish cooks quickly, so make sure to set the table before you start cooking. Reviewers raved about the authentic flavor from the lemongrass, Thai basil, and ginger. For any hard-to-find ingredients, check the international aisle of your grocery store.

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