Zucchini Stir Fry

Bright and flavorful, this zucchini stir fry is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious dinner. Made with fresh zucchini and crammed packed with vegetables, this dish comes together quickly tossed with fresh noodles. Delicious and nutritious, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Use up Zucchinis - perfect way to use when Zucchini season is in full swing, and when they are cheap and plentiful
• Easy - with 30 minutes of cooking time, your family will be eating dinner in no time!
• Versatile - increase your vegetable intake by mixing in your favorites, you can't go wrong with this stir fry recipe

Ingredients

• Beef - thinly sliced beef strips (sirloin, tenderloin is tenderest, chuck steak is economical)
• Beef Marinade - Soy Sauce, Chinese Cooking Wine and Garlic
• Zucchini - yellow or green
• Red Pepper - adds sweetness and crunch
• Snow Peas - perfect in stir frys
• Aromatics - garlic, ginger, carrots, chili pepper
• Sweet Thai Chili Sauce - adds sweetness and heat
• Garnish - pine nuts and cilantro
• Beef Marinade - Soy Sauce, Chinese Cooking Wine and Garlic

Best Zucchini for Stir Fry

When zucchini is in season, this is the tastiest way to use up you garden's bounty. You can use any Zucchini or Summer Squash, as there are so many varieties. Here are some favorites.

• Green Zucchini (Black Beauty) - the classic variety found in supermarkets
• Pattypan Squash - yellow flying saucer shaped yellow zucchini
• Gourmet Gold Zucchini - like green zucchini but bright yellow squash
• Gadzukes - stripes light green zucchini from Italy
• Round Zucchini - mild and green in color

How to Make Zucchini Stir Fry

1. Marinade - place beef strips in Soy Sauce, Chinese Rice Wine and Garlic. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
2. Prep Veggies - cube zucchini into 2" pieces, slice carrots and red pepper, cut ends off snow peas
3. Prepare Aromatics - grate ginger, mince garlic and slice chili pepper (without seeds)
4. Fry Beef - stir fry beef in wok until water has cooked out, set aside
5. Fry Aromatics - add oil and fry ginger, garlic and chili pepper until fragrant
6. Add Vegetables - mix in sliced carrots and zucchini and cook for about 4 or 5 minutes. Toss through red peppers and snow peas.
7. Finish - mix through beef strips, Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, a splash of soy sauce
8. Add Noodles - mix noodles through the zucchini stir fry, or serve over rice
9. Garnish - sprinkle toasted pine nuts and cilantro when serving

Best Noodles for Stir Fry

So many varieties of noodles that are great in stir fry. Honestly, any Asian fresh or cooked noodle is perfect to be tossed through your wok or vegetables.

• Udon Noodles - preferred noodle for this recipe, sold in frozen packs - just need to be quickly boiled before serving
• Soba Noodles - made from Buckwheat, earthy flavor
• Hokkien Noodles - wheat noodles, great with stir fry
• Ramen Noodles - the most economical noodle, lightly cook so it's not mushy
• Chow Mein or Lo Mein Noodles - found in all supermarkets
• Rice Noodles - soften with boiling water before tossing through stir fry
• Steamed Rice - fluffy cooked rice is easy to make, and a pantry staple

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Marinade Meat - beef tastes best when marinated ahead of time, for several hours at least
• Keep It Crunchy - don't overcook the squash until it's soggy. Should still be somewhat firm and crunchy
• Sichuan Peppers - add a teaspoon of ground Sichuan Peppers for Asian spice
• Spice it Up - add Sriracha or Chinese Chili Garlic for a punch of heat
• Change the Vegetables - add other stir fry favorites like broccoli, mushrooms, bean sprouts, or baby corn

Sweet Chili Stir Fry Sauce Substitutes

This recipe uses Sweet Chili Sauce as it adds a punch of garlic and sweet heat. However, you can use your favorite Asian sauce. Here are some suggestions.

• Oyster Sauce
• Stir Fry Sauce
• General Tso Sauce
• Chinese Black Bean Sauce
• Hoisin Sauce
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

How to Toast Pine Nuts

1. In a frying pan over medium heat, toast the Pine Nuts until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
2. Set aside. Be careful as they can burn quickly.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge - place in airtight container and keep refrigerated. Use within 3 days. To reheat, place in wok or frying pan and heat until hot.
• Freezer - not ideal to freeze as it is soggy when defrosted. Place leftovers into a Ziploc bag, push out all the air and place in freezer. Use within 3 months. Fully defrost in fridge. Heat in wok or frying pan until hot.

Asian Recipes You'll Love

• Chinese Lettuce Stir Fry
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks
• Honey Sesame Chicken
• Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
• Asian Lettuce Wraps
• How to Cook Snow Peas

This Zucchini Stir Fry recipe is so colorful, and a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious beef stir fry, the flavors go so well together. With its wonderful combination of veggies, flavorful sauces, and seasonings, you'll be sure to love this healthy dinner option. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted December 2015, updated May 2023