Make this easy Asian quinoa stir fry with broccoli, pea pods, and red cabbage - or any vegetables that you have on hand. This is the perfect recipe to make at home when you are craving takeout. It's so easy to change and customize too!
Have you ever had bland, flavorless quinoa? It's enough to make you never want to eat it again... But, not with this quinoa recipe.
This recipe for Asian quinoa stir fry has been a mainstay lately for lunch. It's so quick to prep in one day and then easy enough to portion it out for meal-prepped lunches all week. The best part is that the flavor and texture in this quinoa stir fry can stay fresh for up to 3 days.
In fact, this is a spicy take on my quinoa fried rice recipe. So, if you like spicy foods with an Asian flair, then you are going to love this recipe.
The secret to making amazing quinoa stir fry is the sauce. I spiced mine with sriracha and sweetened it with maple syrup. The combination is lip-smackingly delicious!
Key Ingredients For Asian Quinoa Stir Fry
Besides the obvious ingredient of quinoa, these are the ingredients that you are going to need to make this stir fry.
- Vegetables: For this stir fry, I used scallions, green cabbage, broccoli, snow peas, pepper, and carrots. The wonderful thing about stir fry is that you can literally use any kind of vegetable that you have in your refrigerator. Just make sure all of the vegetables are chopped up really small and the same size so that they all cook at the same rate.
- Sauces: The sesame oil gives this stir fry a nutty undertone while the soy sauce adds a salty umami taste. You can swap it out for coconut aminos as well to make this recipe gluten-free! For a little bit of sweetness, I used real maple syrup. If you want it to have some heat, add a dash of sriracha.
- Spices: The perfect combination for a delicious stir fry is always garlic and ginger. Use fresh garlic cloves and grated ginger if you have it but, if you don't, you can substitute it with garlic and ginger powder. It just won't pack the same punch.
- Almond Butter: Use smooth, unsweetened almond butter! If you substitute it with for different nut butter (like cashew or peanut), it is going to have a completely different taste. Try it out and see if you like it - I prefer the mild taste of almond butter, but the others might work too.
Note: For a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this quinoa stir fry, take a look at the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
What To Serve With This Quinoa Stir Fry
Just adding some chicken or salmon to the stir fry is enough to take it from a side dish to the main meal. There are also lots of ways you can keep it as a veggie-packed side dish.
I also like to serve it with some grilled Asian pork tenderloin. The flavors are so similar that they really enhance each other! Another super simple recipe that you can serve with it is some broiled Asian chicken thighs. Delicious!
Are you vegetarian? Keep the entire meal plant-based and prepare some vegetarian meatballs with the stir fry. These meatballs are easy to make in the slow cooker so you can make them ahead of time. They are made with bold hoisin sauce which tastes perfect with the sweet and spicy quinoa stir fry!
Recipe Tips And Ideas For Vegan Quinoa Stir Fry
Follow these tips to make sure that this stir fry turns out perfect every single time!
- Mix the soy sauce, maple syrup, and almond butter together first. This helps all the ingredients really meld and combine perfectly so that every bite is filled with flavor.
- Pan-fry the vegetables in coconut oil and sesame oil before the quinoa. Only do this just until they are beginning to soften. This way, they don't overcook when you add the quinoa.
- If the veggies start to stick to the pan, add a few tablespoons of water. The water will help deglaze the pan and avoid the vegetables from sticking or unevenly cooking.
- Pre-cook the quinoa before you add it to the stir-fry. For the best texture, leave it in the refrigerator overnight and then use it in your stir fry the next day.
- Add the sauce last, after you fry the quinoa with the veggies, garlic, and ginger. Don't fry the sauce too long or it will burn. Just fry it long enough for it to heat all the way through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quinoa Stir Fry
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…
Is quinoa healthy?
Quinoa is a great healthy grain to add to your diet. In fact, quinoa is actually a seed. It's packed with protein, fiber, and has many health benefits. It also is easy to cook and affordable. Want to learn more about quinoa? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Quinoa.
Can I use a different type of carb/starch?
As long as the carb is pre-cooked, you can feel free to use your favorite stir-fry filler ingredients. Try this recipe with jasmine or basmati rice or even buckwheat!
How do you make this Asian quinoa recipe keto-friendly?
If you are trying to stick to a low-carb diet, quinoa won't fit very well. Even though it is a high-protein food, it also has lots of carbs. To make this recipe keto-friendly, swap the quinoa with cauliflower rice. Also, make sure to use a sugar-free sweetener instead of maple syrup. That's it!
Something else to keep in mind- All veggies have different carb amounts too. If you are trying to stick to a strict number of carbs per day, stick to lower-carb veggies like broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms.
Can I use frozen stir-fry veggies?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen stir-fry veggies instead of fresh vegetables. It might add a little more water to the skillet, but the flavor and texture will come out the same - and it will save you prep time!
Can I use frozen cooked quinoa instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen quinoa instead of fresh. I recommend letting it thaw first before you add it to the skillet.
What meat can I add to the stir fry?
This stir fry will taste perfect with any of your favorite meats or meatless proteins. To keep it vegan, add some cubed tofu. If you like meat, try it with some chopped chicken, salmon, or ground pork sausage.
More Delicious Quinoa Recipes You’ll Love:
- Kale Caesar Quinoa Bowl
- Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
- Southwest Quinoa Salad With Corn and Avocado
- Slow Cooker Chicken Quinoa Soup With Kale
- Cilantro Lime Quinoa
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