Zucchini Stir-Fry Recipe

Name: Zucchini Stir-Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons water; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided; 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced (1 tablespoon); 3 cloves garlic, minced (2 tablespoons); 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced; 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch half moons; White and/or black sesame seeds, for garnish

If you’re in need of a simple, vegetable side that is anything but shy on flavor, this simple zucchini stir-fry is about to become your go-to recipe. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and relies on pantry staples and a few aromatics.

Whether your garden is bursting at the seams with zucchini or you just need a new, exciting way to prepare summer squash, this side dish is an all around winner. Enjoy it alongside chicken, tofu, fish, or beef, or keep your meal vegetarian and serve it over rice or your favorite grain.

What to Know for Zucchini Season

How to Pick the Best Zucchini

When it comes to picking out zucchini at the store, make sure that they’re firm and without any bruising or blemishes. Small to medium-sized zucchini are typically better in flavor, as the larger ones have a much higher water content. Always rinse and pat dry your zucchini before cooking.

Zucchini Stir-Fry on a Platter — Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

This Sweet and Savory Sauce Shines

What makes this dish so delicious is the soy sauce “slurry,” which is a combination of cornstarch and liquid. As the slurry cooks, it will gradually thicken. This mixture helps subtly thicken the stir-fry, while also providing a ton of flavor from the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil. A couple teaspoons of sugar in the slurry adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity and pungency of some of the other ingredients.

Quick Tip

Because the soy sauce is salty, you probably won’t need to season the dish with any additional salt, but always taste the final product to decide if it needs any additional seasoning. Remember, you can always add salt, but you can’t take it away.

Delicious Variations

Use any variety of summer squash.
Zhush it up! Garnish it with crushed peanuts or sliced scallions.

Zucchini Season is Upon Us!

Zucchini Stir-Fry

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Servings 4 servings

Yield 2 cups

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced (1 tablespoon)
3 cloves garlic, minced (2 tablespoons)
1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch half moons
White and/or black sesame seeds, for garnish

Make the sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, red pepper flakes, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
Cook the zucchini:

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.

Sauté the onions until fragrant and softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add zucchini and prepared sauce. Toss with a rubber spatula and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the zucchini is softened, about 7 minutes.

If you notice any deep browning on the bottom of the skillet, turn your heat down slightly and add a splash of water to help deglaze those browned bits.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
Serve:

Transfer the zucchini onto a platter, top with sesame seeds, and serve.

While this dish is best served immediately, you can throw your leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave when you’re ready to dig in for round two.

Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
145	Calories
11g	Fat
10g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	145
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g	14%
Saturated Fat 2g	8%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 881mg	38%
Total Carbohydrate 10g	4%
Dietary Fiber 2g	9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 14mg	72%
Calcium 101mg	8%
Iron 2mg	10%
Potassium 407mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.