Looking for a quick and healthy vegetarian stir-fry recipe? Look no further than this garlic stir fry vegetables!
Featuring a colorful mix of veggies sautéed with Italian seasoning and balsamic vinegar, this dish is topped with crunchy slivered almonds for added texture and flavor.
Plus, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, making it a versatile and satisfying option for any dietary preference. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this easy recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your meal rotation.
Looking for other veggie based recipes? Try Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash, Grilled Vegetable Skewers, or Sautéed Bok Choy.
Reasons Why You'll Love this Recipe
Delicious and Healthy: This garlic stir fry vegetables is packed with vegetables and has a flavorful sauce made with balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning. It's a healthy and delicious way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
Quick and Easy: This recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. The vegetables cook quickly, and the dish comes together in under 30 minutes.
Customizable: This recipe is very versatile and can be easily customized to suit your tastes. You can swap out the vegetables for your favorites or add in some protein like tofu, chicken, or shrimp. Plus, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Full ingredients for garlic stir fry vegetables with measurements listed in the recipe card below.
- Cooking Oil: You can use any cooking oil of your choice such as vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil to cook the vegetables in the stir fry.
- Onion: If you don't have red onion, you can substitute it with yellow onion or white onion for a slightly different flavor.
- Bell Pepper: You can substitute the red bell pepper with any color of bell pepper you prefer, such as green, yellow, or orange. Each color has a slightly different flavor profile, so choose the one that you prefer.
- Seasoning: If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can use a blend of dried herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage separately, or use a different seasoning blend that you prefer.
- Salt: You can use any type of salt, such as sea salt or Himalayan salt, instead of kosher salt for seasoning the vegetables.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic cloves, you can substitute with garlic powder or garlic paste for a similar flavor.
- Broccoli: If you don't have broccoli, you can use other vegetables such as cauliflower, green beans, or snow peas for a similar texture and flavor.
- Carrots: You can use other root vegetables such as parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes for a similar texture and flavor.
- Balsamic Vinegar: If you don't have balsamic vinegar, you can use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar for a similar tangy flavor.
- Roasted Slivered Almonds: You can substitute roasted slivered almonds with other nuts such as cashews, peanuts, or pecans for a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
How to Make Garlic Stir Fry Vegetables
Full instructions listed below in recipe card.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add two tablespoons of cooking oil of your choice, such as olive oil, and let it heat up for another 30 seconds.
- Add ½ thinly sliced red onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and ½ teaspoon of salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about three minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add one teaspoon of Italian seasoning, two minced garlic cloves, and 1 head of broccoli florets (cut into 1" pieces) to the skillet. Add another ½ teaspoon of salt and stir occasionally for about five minutes, until the vegetables begin to brown and are cooked through.
- Add two thinly sliced carrots to the skillet and cook for an additional two minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, making sure to scrape up any bits that may be stuck to the pan. Toss everything together to coat the vegetables in the vinegar.
- Finally, sprinkle ¼ cup of roasted slivered almonds over the top of the vegetables and toss everything together.
- Serve the garlic vegetable stir fry hot over rice, pasta, or any grain of your choice, and enjoy!
Variations
- Change up the vegetables: Feel free to swap out the vegetables in this recipe with whatever you have on hand. You can add zucchini, snap peas, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you enjoy.
- Add protein: If you want to make this recipe more filling, add some protein. You can add tofu, chicken, shrimp, or even beef. Cook the protein separately and add it to the stir fry towards the end.
- Switch up the seasonings: You can change the flavor profile of this dish by swapping out the Italian seasoning for other spice blends, such as Chinese five spice, curry powder, or Cajun seasoning.
- Make it spicy: If you like spicy food, add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the stir fry while cooking.
- Make it gluten-free: If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, swap out the soy sauce for tamari, and make sure to use gluten-free Italian seasoning.
- Serve it over different grains: Instead of serving this stir fry over rice or pasta, try serving it over quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even as a lettuce wrap.
- Use different nuts: If you don't have slivered almonds on hand, feel free to use other nuts, such as cashews, peanuts, or pistachios.
FAQ's
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to eat it, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Can I freeze this recipe?
While you can freeze this stir fry recipe, it's best to freeze the vegetables and sauce separately. This will prevent the vegetables from getting mushy when they thaw. To reheat, simply thaw the vegetables and sauce in the fridge overnight and cook the stir fry as directed in the recipe.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables for this recipe, but be aware that they may release more water when cooked. This can make the stir fry more watery and less flavorful. To avoid this, cook the frozen vegetables separately before adding them to the stir fry.
How can I make this recipe more spicy?
To make this recipe more spicy, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the stir fry while cooking. You can also add diced jalapeño peppers or Thai chili peppers for an extra kick.
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Yes, you can use a different type of vinegar if you don't have balsamic vinegar on hand. Red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar will work just as well.
Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, you can use a different type of nut if you don't have slivered almonds on hand. Cashews, peanuts, or pine nuts would work well in this recipe.
Tips
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time: This stir fry comes together quickly, so make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. Chop your vegetables, mince the garlic, and measure out the spices and vinegar before you start cooking.
- Cook the vegetables in stages: Since different vegetables cook at different rates, it's important to add them to the skillet in stages. Start with the onions and peppers, then add the broccoli, and finally the carrots. This will ensure that each vegetable is cooked perfectly and not overcooked.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: It's important to cook the vegetables until they're just tender but still have some crunch. Overcooking them will make them mushy and less flavorful.
- Deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar: After the vegetables are cooked, add the balsamic vinegar to the hot skillet. This will help to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce.
- Use high heat: To get a nice sear on the vegetables, it's important to use high heat when cooking them. This will help to caramelize the vegetables and create a delicious flavor.
- Garnish with slivered almonds: The roasted slivered almonds add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the stir fry. Make sure to sprinkle them on top just before serving.
- Serve over rice or pasta: This stir fry is delicious served over rice or pasta, which will help to soak up the flavorful sauce. Alternatively, you can serve it over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthier option.
Try these other Veggie based recipes
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Did You Make this Recipe?
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Recipe Card
📋 Recipe
Garlic Vegetable Stir Fry
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and sliced into ¼” strips
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 head broccoli 1” florets
- 2 carrots peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ cup roasted slivered almonds
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat for another 30 seconds.
- Add the sliced red onion, red bell pepper, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, broccoli, and another ½ teaspoon kosher salt to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are beginning to brown and are cooked through.
- Stir in the thinly sliced carrots and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet with balsamic vinegar and toss well to coat the vegetables.
- Sprinkle the roasted slivered almonds over the top of the vegetables and stir to combine.
- Serve the garlic vegetable stir fry hot, over rice or pasta if desired.
Notes
-
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time: This stir fry comes together quickly, so make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. Chop your vegetables, mince the garlic, and measure out the spices and vinegar before you start cooking.
-
- Cook the vegetables in stages: Since different vegetables cook at different rates, it's important to add them to the skillet in stages. Start with the onions and peppers, then add the broccoli, and finally the carrots. This will ensure that each vegetable is cooked perfectly and not overcooked.
-
- Don't overcook the vegetables: It's important to cook the vegetables until they're just tender but still have some crunch. Overcooking them will make them mushy and less flavorful.
-
- Deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar: After the vegetables are cooked, add the balsamic vinegar to the hot skillet. This will help to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce.
-
- Use high heat: To get a nice sear on the vegetables, it's important to use high heat when cooking them. This will help to caramelize the vegetables and create a delicious flavor.
-
- Garnish with slivered almonds: The roasted slivered almonds add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the stir fry. Make sure to sprinkle them on top just before serving.
-
- Serve over rice or pasta: This stir fry is delicious served over rice or pasta, which will help to soak up the flavorful sauce. Alternatively, you can serve it over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthier option.
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