Close-up of a jar filled with homemade 3-ingredient stir fry sauce, with a spoon resting on top showing the glossy, dark brown sauce with oil droplets on the surface.

This 3 ingredient stir fry sauce mixes up fast and adds sweet, savory flavor to any meat or veggie stir fry. Use it for quick dinners, easy meal prep, or weeknight takeout-style meals at home.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce
How To Serve 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce
Why You'll Love This Recipe For Three-Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

Make dinner easy with this quick 3 ingredient stir fry sauce. You only need soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. It adds bold flavor to chicken, beef, shrimp, or veggies. Just mix it up and pour it on hot, sizzling stir fry.

This recipe is fast and simple, and you can follow the guide below to make it at home. We’ve included step-by-step photos and directions to walk you through every part. You’ll also find pro tips, tricks, and answers to the most frequently asked recipe questions.

Close-up of a colorful stir fry with broccoli, red and yellow bell peppers, and chunks of meat coated in a glossy sauce. Text overlay reads “3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce – Seriously So Simple & Easy,” with a small jar of dark sauce and spoon in the corner.

More Recipes ⭐ Better Than Take Out Chinese Fried Rice | Shrimp with Ramen | General Tso Chicken Recipe

You only need five minutes to whip up this 3ingredient stir fry sauce with brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. It adds bold, sweet, and savory flavor to chicken, shrimp, beef, or veggie stir fry.

This sauce works great for quick dinners, meal prep, or even potlucks when you need something fast. Skip the bottled stuff—this homemade stir fry sauce tastes way better and uses simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this simple stir fry sauce recipe:

½ cup of low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons of cornstarch

Substitutions and Additions

Switch up your stir fry sauce recipe with simple swaps and tasty add-ins to make it your own! These easy changes bring big flavor fast:

Swap Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos if you want a gluten-free option that still tastes rich and savory.

Add Ginger: Mix in some freshly grated ginger to give your sauce a warm, bold kick.

Add Spice: Throw in sriracha or red pepper flakes to turn up the heat and add a fiery finish.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce

Follow along with our step-by-step pictures to make this easy three ingredient stir fry sauce at home. Check out the tips and tricks listed below to get the best results every time. Let’s get started and make something delicious!

Pro Tip

Consider making a double batch of this sauce. It stores well in the fridge and can save time on busy weeknights.

FIRST STEP: Add the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch to a ½-pint to a 1-pint mason jar with a lid.

soy sauce, sesame oil and and cornstarch added to a jar

SECOND STEP: Shake well until the stir-fry sauce is completely combined. It will appear cloudy due to the cornstarch. Keep the sauce refrigerated until you are ready to use.

3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce in a clear jar

THIRD STEP: If you do not have a pint-size jar, you can whisk the ingredients together. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to use the stir-fry sauce.

Pro Tip

If the sauce has been sitting in the fridge, give it a good shake or stir before each use to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed.

How To Serve 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce

You can serve this easy stir fry sauce in all kinds of fun and tasty ways. It works for busy nights, weekend meals, or even parties with friends.

Just mix it with your favorite noodles or rice, veggies, and protein.

Try serving it with fried rice or homemade egg rolls and Asia cucumber salad.

Other great Asian-inspired dinners your family will love:

a spoon holding some 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce

Why You'll Love This Recipe For Three-Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce

This simple stirfry sauce recipe will be your new go-to. Here's why:

Just 3 Ingredients - Nothing complicated. Just soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil for a simple, authentic taste.
Takes Minutes - You don't have to spend long in the kitchen to make a delicious sauce.
Stores Well - You can quickly make this ahead so it's perfect to include as part of your meal prep.

A jar of dark brown stir fry sauce in front of a colorful vegetable stir fry with broccoli, red and yellow bell peppers, tofu cubes, and carrots in a skillet, all coated in glossy sauce.

Recipe FAQ

Does this sauce work with beef, chicken, and shrimp?
Yes, this stir fry sauce works with beef, chicken, shrimp, or veggies. It adds sweet and savory flavor to any stir fry.

Is this stir fry sauce too sweet for a savory dish?
No, the brown sugar adds balance without being too sweet. It blends well with garlic and soy sauce for bold flavor.

Do I need to cook the sauce before using it?
No, you don’t need to cook the stir fry sauce first. Just mix it and pour it over your hot stir fry. Give it a few minutes to heat up and thicken.

Can I make this stir fry sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the stir fry sauce ahead of time. Store it in a jar and shake it before using.

Will the sauce thicken while cooking?
Yes, the stir fry sauce thickens slightly as it cooks with your meat or veggies in the hot pan.

What kind of soy sauce should I use?
Use regular soy sauce for this recipe. Low-sodium soy sauce works too, but the flavor may be a little milder.

Should I add the sauce before or after cooking the stir fry?
Add the stir fry sauce near the end of cooking. Stir everything together and let it bubble for one to two minutes.

A glass jar filled with dark brown stir fry sauce with a spoon inside, next to a stainless steel bowl containing a colorful vegetable stir fry with broccoli, red and yellow bell peppers, tofu, and carrots coated in sauce.

Serving FAQ

How much stir-fry sauce should I use per serving?
Use about two or three tablespoons of sauce per serving to coat all your ingredients evenly and add great flavor.

Can I serve this sauce with noodles or rice?
Yes, this sauce works perfectly with noodles or rice. Cook your noodles or rice and toss in stir fry sauce to absorb the flavors.

How do I make sure the sauce coats evenly?
Stir the sauce into your ingredients while they are still hot. Stir thoroughly for even coverage.

Should I add sauce before or after cooking vegetables?
Always add stir fry sauce after your vegetables finish cooking. This helps maintain their texture while infusing them with flavor.

Close-up of a colorful vegetable stir fry with broccoli, red and yellow bell peppers, tofu cubes, and carrots coated in a glossy dark sauce, with a glass jar of thick, dark stir fry sauce and a spoon in the foreground.

Storage FAQ

Can I make sir fry sauce ahead of time?
Mix the stir fry sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to five days. Stir or shake well before using.

Will Stir fry sauce keep in the fridge?
Store the 3-ingredient stir fry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to five days.

Can I freeze this sauce?
Skip freezing this sauce. The cornstarch can change texture once thawed, so it’s best made fresh.