Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry
on Mar 12, 2021, Updated Dec 23, 2023
Make this quick and easy Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry in under 15 minutes. It is a great healthy side dish that goes well with any meal.
Try my No Breading Air Fryer Zucchini and Oven Roasted Zucchini if you like this vegetable.
About Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry
Chinese Stir Fried Zucchini is a healthy and delicious side dish that comes together in under 15 minutes using pantry staples.
This dish is vegan, keto, and can be easily made gluten-free.
Serve it on the side with a Chinese-style meal or use it as a filling for wraps or sandwiches.
If scaling the recipe, stir fry in batches; otherwise, the zucchini will steam instead of frying.
Ingredients
Zucchini – Choose fresh, firm zucchini. I have used green zucchini, but you can also use yellow zucchini (yellow squash).
Dry Red Chilies add the right amount of spiciness to this stir fry. Add some red pepper flakes if you want it to be extra spicy.
You can increase or decrease red chilies as per your taste and preference.
Sesame Oil – Use sesame oil for the best and most authentic flavor. Otherwise, use any cooking oil.
Sauces – I have used dark soy sauce and hot sauce in this recipe. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you are watching your salt intake.
You can also add oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, or Shaoxing wine to the recipe.
Others – You will also need onions, garlic, salt, ground black pepper, and toasted sesame seeds.
Add dark brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup to balance the taste.
If you want to make a saucy stir fry, add 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in ¼ cup water at the end of the cooking and cook until the sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
This Asian-inspired dish can be made vegan, as I did, or you can add meat protein of your choice, such as chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp.
You can also add tofu cubes to the recipe.
How To Make Chinese Stir Fried Zucchini
Preparation
Start by preparing the zucchini. Wash 2 zucchini and wipe them with a kitchen towel. Cut them into half and then into ¼-inch thick moon shapes. You can also cut the zucchini into cubes. Make sure to cut it into even-sized pieces for even cooking. Do not peel the zucchini; the skin is essential to hold the zucchini while cooking.
Now, keep all the other ingredients near the cooking area. This stir-fry cooks quickly, so you must be swift once you add the ingredients to the pan. You don’t want to overcook the zucchini, as it will get mushy quickly.
Make The Stir Fry
Heat 2 tablespoon sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, add 2 teaspoon minced garlic and 2-3 whole dry red chilies (broken into 2-3 pieces) and fry for 5 seconds.
Add ½ cup of thinly sliced onions and fry for 10-15 seconds.
Add the sliced zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes on high heat, stirring frequently.
Now add the following ingredients and cook for another minute.
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Note – If you want it saucy, add 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in ¼ cup water at this stage and cook until the sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
Check for salt and pepper and add more if needed.
Garnish with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions and serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make the same stir fry by adding other vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, eggplant, broccoli, pumpkin, carrot, sugar snap peas, and tofu. You can cut the zucchini into noodles and stir fry in the sauce.
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Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 whole zucchini
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or any other cooking oil)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2-3 whole dry red chilies (broken into pieces)
- ½ cup thinly sliced onion
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by preparing the zucchini. Wash the zucchini and wipe them with a kitchen towel. Cut them into half and then into ¼-inch thick moon shapes. You can also cut the zucchini into cubes. Make sure to cut it into even size pieces for even cooking. Do not peel the zucchini.
- Now keep all the other ingredients near the cooking area. Zucchini stir fry cooks very fast. You have to be swift once you add the ingredients to the pan. You don’t want to overcook the zucchini as it gets mushy in no time.
Make The Stir Fry
- Heat oil in a large wok over high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add garlic and dry red chilies and fry for 5 seconds.
- Add onions and fry for 10-15 seconds.
- Add the sliced zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes on high heat, stirring frequently.
- Now add soy sauce, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper, and cook for another minute.
- Note – If you want it saucy, add 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in ¼ cup water at this stage and cook until the sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
- Check for salt and pepper and add more if needed.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot.
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