15 Best Side Dishes For Stir Fry – Delicious and Easy
Stir-fry is a delicious and healthy dish that can be made with virtually any combination of ingredients. You can get them already washed and bagged at the grocery store to make your life even easier.
This is one of my favorite things to whip together when I want something savory, quick, and nutritious.
The great thing about stir-fry is that it can be served as a main dish or as a side. It all depends on what you put in it and how you cook it.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to sides for stir-fry. Here are 15 of the best sides to serve with stir-fry!
Side Dishes For Stir-Fry:
- Chinese hot & sour soup
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Chinese pickled cucumber
- Quinoa fried rice
- Instant pot brown rice
- Spring rolls
- Spinach with sesame miso sauce
- Boiled eggs
- Garlic sesame broccoli
- Pickled mustard greens
- Asian cucumber salad
- Teriyaki salmon
- Oyster sauce
- Chinese okra
- Coleslaw
Chinese hot & sour soup
This is a great option for those who want a little bit of everything in their stir-fry.
The soup is full of flavors and textures that will complement any stir-fried dish.
This soup is rich in vitamins and minerals, and quite easy to make. The ingredients required for this dish are tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, egg, and green onion.
Teriyaki Chicken
If you’re looking for a protein-packed side dish, that is full of flavor, look no further than teriyaki chicken.
This is a classic Japanese dish that is made by marinating chicken in a soy sauce-based sauce and then grilling or broiling it.
The tenderness of the chicken paired with the sweetness of the sauce makes it a perfect complement to any stir-fry.
Chinese pickled cucumber
These are cucumbers that have been soaked in a vinegar solution. They are crunchy and slightly sour, making them a great addition to any stir-fry.
The cucumbers are thinly sliced and then marinated in a mixture of vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices. This gives them a slightly sweet and sour flavor that pairs well with the savory flavors of stir-fry.
You can find Chinese pickled cucumbers can be found in most Asian markets.
Quinoa fried rice
This is a delicious dish that you will certainly love. Quinoa fried rice is a great alternative to traditional rice.
It is packed with protein and is a great source of fiber. This dish is also very easy to make. All you need is cooked quinoa, eggs, vegetables, and seasonings of your choice.
I like to add in some Sriracha sauce for an extra kick of flavor. When paired with fried rice, it makes for a delicious and healthy meal that is also vibrant with color.
Instant pot brown rice
This is a quick and easy way to make brown rice. It is cooked in an instant pot, which cuts down on the cooking time. This dish is perfect for those who are short on time.
With the instant pot, the rice comes out perfectly cooked every time. You can use white rice with stir fry, but I find that the nutty, earthy flavor of brown rice pairs better with the other ingredients.
stir-fry.
Additionally, you can garnish your brown rice with green onions, cilantro, and lime for extra flavor.
Spring rolls
These are light and refreshing option that is perfect for summertime. Spring rolls are made with thin rice paper wrappers and typically contain vegetables, herbs, and sometimes meat or seafood.
They are served cold or at room temperature, making them a perfect side dish for stir-frying.
The crispiness of the spring rolls pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of stir-fry. You can dip them in a variety of sauces, such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or even peanut butter sauce.
Spinach with sesame miso sauce
This is a simple side dish that is full of flavor. The spinach is cooked in a sesame miso sauce, and the dish is served with a side of rice.
The slight bitterness of the spinach pairs well with the slight bitterness and nuttiness of the sesame oil. Furthermore, the savory miso sauce cuts through both flavors nicely.
If you want a bit more protein in your side dish, you can add grilled chicken or tofu. Finally, this dish is quick and easy to put together, which is a big plus in my books!
Boiled eggs
This highly nutritious and filling protein goes with just about anything. They are easy to make and only require a few minutes to cook.
The yolk of the egg pairs well with the savory flavors of the stir-fry, while the egg white provides a bit of contrast with its tender texture.
You can add boiled eggs to just about any dish, but I think they work especially well with stir-fry.
Garlic sesame broccoli
Broccoli is sauteed in a garlic sesame sauce in this dish. The broccoli florets are cooked until they are slightly charred, and the dish is often served with a side of rice.
The smokiness of the broccoli pairs well with the savory flavors of stir-fry. Additionally, the garlic sesame sauce adds a nice depth of flavor to the dish you will certainly love.
Pickled mustard greens
They add a delicious flavor to the dish, and their slightly pickled taste goes well with the other ingredients in the stir-fry.
Additionally, their crunchy texture provides a nice contrast to the softer textures of the other vegetables in the dish.
Pickling mustard greens is quick and easy. First, you will need some fresh mustard greens. Rinse them and then dry them off with a paper towel.
Next, heat some vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it cool slightly. After that, place the mustard greens in a large jar or container.
Pour the vinegar mixture over the top of the greens, making sure to cover them completely. Let the greens sit in the mixture for at least 24 hours before using them. This will allow them to pickle properly.
Asian cucumber salad
This is a refreshing and light side dish that goes well with stir-fry. The cucumbers are thinly sliced and then tossed in a rice vinegar dressing.
The acidity of the vinegar dressing helps to cut through the richness of the stir-fry. Additionally, the crunchy texture of the cucumbers pairs well with the other ingredients.
When put together, both dishes create a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
Teriyaki salmon
Teriyaki salmon is a great side dish for stir-fry. The Teriyaki sauce adds flavor to the salmon, and the vegetables in the stir-fry help to balance out the dish.
The salmon also adds a touch of elegance to the dish, making it perfect for special occasions.
It is also a good source of protein, and it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are important for maintaining a healthy diet.
Teriyaki salmon is a delicious and healthy option for your next stir-fry.
Oyster sauce vegetables
Oyster sauce is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine. It is made from oysters that have been simmered in water and then strained.
The sauce is then thickened with cornstarch and flavored with soy sauce, sugar, and salt.
Once the sauce is ready, pour it over your stir-fry vegetables. The sauce will add a delicious umami flavor to the dish.
If you want, you can also add some protein to this dish. Chicken, shrimp, and tofu all work well with oyster sauce vegetables.
Fried rice
If quinoa fried rice isn’t your style, then you can go with the classic fried rice made with rice.
Fried rice is made by stir-frying rice in a wok or frying pan. The rice is cooked with oil, garlic, and ginger.
Fried rice goes well with stir-fry because it has a similar flavor profile. The rice is savory and slightly sweet, just like the stir-fry. Additionally, the fried rice absorbs the sauce from the stir-fry, making it even more flavorful.
Chinese okra
Chinese okra, also known as lady’s finger, is a vegetable that is popular in Chinese cuisine. It is a type of okra that is long and slender, and it has a slightly sweet and sour flavor.
Chinese okra is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. It is also low in
Chinese okra is cooked by stir-frying it in a wok or frying pan. The slimy texture of the okra helps to thicken the sauce of the stir-fry.
If you have not tried this before, then you should give it a try. It is a delicious and healthy option for your next stir-fry.
FAQ
What can you serve with stir-fry instead of rice?
If you are looking for a low-carb option, then you can serve stir-fry with quinoa or cauliflower rice. If you are not concerned about carbs, then fried rice or plain rice are both good options.
What sides go well with chicken stir-fry?
Some good sides for chicken stir-fry include fried rice, Asian cucumber salad, and teriyaki salmon.
What sides go well with shrimp stir-fry?
Some good sides for shrimp stir-fry include oyster sauce vegetables, quinoa fried rice, and Chinese okra.
Conclusion:
These are just some of the best sides that go with stir-fry. With so many options, you can easily find a dish that you love. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!