A Good Stir-Fry Makes the *Speediest* Weeknight Dinner
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We all have those days: you haven't pre-planned what you're making for dinner, you're all starving, and you've got to food on the table fast before there's an all-out revolt at the table. Luckily, there's a fast way to feed everyone a flavorful 30-minute meal: stir-fry! "It's easy, versatile, and quick," explains Ree Drummond, who knows a thing or two about feeding a lot of people fast. "You can throw in whatever veggies you have on hand and tweak the flavors to suit your fancy."
If you need a little culinary inspiration on just what to put together, try these easy stir-fry recipes for starters. They're all one-pot meals that are flexible if you need to omit or substitute something you don't have on hand, say swapping out leftover steak for grilled chicken instead. Many of them use leftover rice to speed up the process (and help clear out your fridge, making them budget-friendly meals, too!) but you'll also find options to use a quick-cooking noodles or veggies like cauliflower and zucchini.
And of course, you don't have to wait until a hurried weeknight to throw these ideas together. You can meal prep by planning these out, stock up on just the right ingredients, and follow each of these recipes to the letter to recreate flavorful rice bowl recipes and tastier versions of takeout classics any time you wish. Just remember to keep them on hand for when you do need them in a pinch, too. Anyone feeling hungry in the house will thank you!
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
You'll never want takeout again once you make this classic at home. And don't worry about the pasta you have at home, because you can use spaghetti, angel hair, egg noodles, or any type of rice.
Get Ree's Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe.
Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Fresh asparagus, carrots, and scallions are cooked until just crisp-tender, adding a contrast in texture to the fluffy rice. You probably have chicken on hand, but this would taste just as good with shrimp, beef, or pork!
Get Ree's Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry recipe.
Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles
That's right, you don't need rice or pasta for stir-fry! Make this low-carb alternative using zucchini noodles which soak up all the spicy flavor. Plus, they cook up in about three minutes!
Get Ree's Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles.
Cashew Chicken
Ree says, "I could eat it weekly for the rest of my life and never get tired of it." And since it takes a mere 15 minutes from start to finish to make, you could, too!
Get Ree's Cashew Chicken recipe.
Veggie Stir-Fry
This makes an excellent side dish for any protein or a main dish if you serve it over rice or noodles. A sprinkle of sesame seeds at the end makes it feel restaurant-worthy.
Get Ree's Veggie Stir-Fry recipe.
Hoisin Steak and Pepper Stir-Fry
Steak, veggies, rice: Is there anything else you really need for a complete meal? Ree kicks it up a notch with slightly tangy, sweet, and spicy notes in each bite.
Get Ree's Hoisin Steak and Pepper Stir-Fry recipe.
Chicken–Snow Pea Stir-Fry
This easy-t0-assemble dish takes just over 30 minutes to make and is endlessly flexible. Try tofu, steak or pork instead of chicken or swap out whatever veggies you have in the crisper drawer.
Get Ree's Chicken–Snow Pea Stir-Fry recipe.
Bourbon Chicken
Both sweet and savory, this cozy chicken dish only takes ten minutes of prep time. All you have to do is reheat your rice while it simmers. The sprinkle of scallions and toasted sesame seeds on top give it a fresh crunch.
Get the Bourbon Chicken recipe.
Pepper Steak
Another takeout classic that's easier to make than you think, pepper steak takes only 30 minutes to create and will taste so incredibly good. Go ahead, give it a shot!
Get the Pepper Steak recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki
Yes, we found another 30-minute meal that's even better than your favorite restaurant down the street. If you know you're going to make it in advance, you can prep the day before and cook up everything even faster!
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Cauliflower is all the rage right now, and it's easy to see why once you fry it up! It's a low-carb alternative that absorbs added flavors easily and gives you extra servings of veggies.
Get Ree's Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.
Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
An easy chicken and veggie mix is just the start! Once you learn these basics, you'll be able to cook up just about anything leftover in your fridge in about 30 minutes.
Get the Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry recipe.
Pork Fried Rice
The secret shortcut to this tasty takeout-inspired meal isn't the leftover rice. Nope, it's frozen veggies! No prep required—just defrost them for a quick fix.
Get Ree's Pork Fried Rice recipe.
Beef with Peppers
Another amazing carb option to try for stir-fry is a package of rice noodles! They take less than ten minutes to cook up and slurp up the spicy sauce like nobody's business.
Get Ree's Beef with Peppers recipe.
Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry
This dish proves all you really need is a head of cauliflower to make a meal. Sure, you could add rice and a protein to round out the meal, but you might just want to snack on this spicy veggie dish all on its own.
Get Ree's Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry recipe.
Summer Stir-Fry
Take the best of summertime and cook it all up in one pan! This delicious dish showcases fresh corn, zucchini, and grape tomatoes, along with juicy jumbo shrimp.
Get Ree's Summer Stir-Fry recipe.
Veggie-Stuffed Fried Rice
If you're looking for an easy way to get a bigger serving of veggies, this is it! It has nine different veggies plus chicken thighs for a well-rounded meal that will fill you right up.
Get the Veggie-Stuffed Fried Rice recipe.
Breakfast Fried Rice
Wake up, it's time for a savory start to the day! Use leftover bacon grease and leftover rice and fry it up with mushrooms, peppers, and breakfast sausage. Top it with an egg to serve!
Get the Breakfast Fried Rice recipe.
Pineapple Fried Rice
The sweetness of the pineapple mixed with the savory spiciness of the rice mixture will make this endlessly interesting to eat! Serve as is or get fancy like Ree and make some pork chops to go with it.
Get Ree's Pineapple Fried Rice recipe.
Monday Night Stir Fry
Ree takes us way back with this easy, anytime meal from 2008. She mixes in some chicken, peppers, mushrooms, and baby corn for a 30-minute meal good day of the year.
Get Ree's Monday Night Stir Fry recipe.
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