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Veg Stir Fry

Veg Stir Fry — a classic japanese dish made simple at home.

50 min2 servesmedium

Veg Stir Fry is a classic vegetarian Japanese recipe built around a handful of pantry staples. It serves 2 and comes together in roughly 50 minutes from prep to plate. It sits in the comfortable middle ground: nothing intimidating, but it rewards a little patience during the roughly 50 minutes of active cooking. The method leans on shallow- or deep-frying, which is what gives the finished dish its signature texture and depth.

The headline ingredients here are soy sauce, sesame oil and cabbage. Spend a little time choosing well: fresher, more carefully-sourced versions of these will lift the whole plate, while every other element is mostly there to support them.

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Nutrition · per serving

271

kcal

13g

Protein

50g

Carbs

17g

Fat

veg

Ingredients

  • soy sauce2 tbsp
  • sesame oil300 g
  • cabbage1 large
  • tofu3 tbsp
  • sake150 g
  • rice1 large
  • sesame seed1 tsp
  • saltstaple
  • pepperstaple

Method

  1. 1
    Step 1 ~10 min

    Prep all ingredients for veg stir fry and measure them out.

  2. 2
    Step 2 ~10 min

    Heat oil in a pan and sauté aromatics until fragrant.

  3. 3
    Step 3 ~10 min

    Add main ingredients and cook until just done.

  4. 4
    Step 4 ~10 min

    Season with salt, pepper and finish with fresh herbs.

  5. 5
    Step 5 ~10 min

    Plate and serve hot.

Per-step times are approximate and based on the total cook time of 50 minutes.

Pro tips & common mistakes

  • Get the oil properly hot before anything goes in. Cold oil is the single biggest reason fried food turns greasy instead of crisp.
  • Cook hot and fast in small batches. Overcrowding the pan drops the temperature and you end up steaming instead of stir-frying.
  • Taste a small spoonful just before serving and adjust salt, acid (lemon or vinegar) and heat — that final balance check is what separates a good home cook from a great one.

Browse more Japanese recipes or search all recipes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Veg Stir Fry take to cook?
From prep to plate, Veg Stir Fry takes about 50 minutes and yields 2 servings. About a third of that is hands-on; the rest is the cooking itself.
Is Veg Stir Fry vegetarian?
Yes — this version of Veg Stir Fry is fully vegetarian. If you want to make it vegan, swap any dairy or eggs for a plant-based equivalent of the same texture.
What are the key ingredients in Veg Stir Fry?
The headline ingredients are soy sauce, sesame oil, cabbage. The rest of the list is supporting cast — spices, aromatics and pantry staples — that round out the flavour rather than carry it.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes. The ingredient quantities scale linearly: halve for 1 serving or double for 4. Cooking times stay roughly the same, except for anything that depends on pan surface area — if you double a stir-fry, cook it in two batches rather than crowding the pan.
How should I store the leftovers?
Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently — low heat on the stove with a splash of water, or short bursts in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel so it does not dry out.
Can I freeze Veg Stir Fry?
Yes. Cool fully, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently; you may need a splash of water or stock to bring the sauce back to its original consistency.
What should I serve with Veg Stir Fry?
Veg Stir Fry pairs naturally with classic japanese sides — a simple grain, a fresh salad, or a light pickle to cut through richness. Aim for something that contrasts the main dish in texture or temperature rather than echoing it.
What if I do not have one of the main ingredients?
Most ingredients in this recipe have sensible swaps. Match like-for-like by texture and cooking time and you will land somewhere close to the original.