What To Cook In A Wok: 29+ Stir-Fry Recipes That Don’t Suck

What To Cook In A Wok

You want to cook something tasty but don't know what? Maybe you're tired of the same old stir-fry recipes. Why not try some new ones?

You won’t believe the variety of flavors and combinations we can use for dishes from Asian cuisine to more traditional American fare. Just pick out what looks good and go for it!

Chinese Wok Recipes

1. Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp Lo Mein is a dish that is popular in Asia. It can be prepared quickly and will provide your family with a wonderful meal that's healthy and delicious.

You can change the type of seafood or vegetables you use to give it more flavor.

2. Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles With Chicken

Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles With Chicken

This Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles recipe is a popular dish that you can find on any take-out menu in China.

This dish includes thinly-sliced chicken, cabbage, onion, garlic, and a delicious sauce. You can use either Japanese udon noodles or long linguini.

3. Sichuan Chicken Stir-Fry

Sichuan Chicken Stir-Fry

The stir-fry includes diced or sliced chicken, which is often marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and rice wine.

The ingredients, such as green pepper and chilies, are stir-fried until the meat is cooked and the vegetables softened.

To make the dish spicier, you can add crushed fresh chilies to taste and whole dried red chilies at the end of cooking. Get this Sichuan Chicken Stir-Fry recipe here.

4. Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein

Stir-frying the vegetables first is an excellent way to ensure they are done without overcooking the other ingredients.

You should cook the noodles in just enough oil to prevent sticking, just until they are crispy. Next, cook the chicken in oil for about five minutes until fully cooked.

Finally, combine all ingredients with some soy sauce and sesame oil. Add salt to taste. And enjoy your tasty Chicken Chow Mein!

5. Gong Bao Ji Ding (Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken)

Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken

Gong Bao Ji Ding is a fairly common dish in China. It is made with chicken, peanuts, and vegetables such as garlic, ginger, and scallions. The meal initially comes from the Sichuan province of China.

The dish consists of stir-fried chicken pieces with peppers and peanuts and other ingredients such as garlic or ginger.

The rice compliments the meal well by giving it a better texture.

6. Stir-Fried Lo Mein Noodles

Stir-Fried Lo Mein Noodles

This Stir-Fried Lo Mein recipe incorporates a variety of Asian vegetables and noodles to create a well-balanced meal.

The noodles provide carbohydrates, the pork includes protein, and the vegetables provide fiber to keep you full until your next meal.

The sambal oelek gives a little spice to the dish for those who enjoy it.

Vegan Wok Recipes

7. Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry


This meal starts with a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, grated ginger root, and ground cumin.

The sweet-sour sauce gets its appealing color from red pepper flakes. It is an excellent dish to enjoy with rice or noodles for a meal that will satisfy any craving for something healthy and delicious. Get this Vegan Tofu And Vegetable recipe here.

8. Vegan Stir-Fried Eggplant

Vegan Stir-Fried Eggplant

This vegan dish is a vegetarian delight. The eggplant produces an earthy and savory taste that will leave you feeling satisfied without experiencing meat cravings.

If you're not a fan of spice, feel free to leave the chiles and enjoy this simple and healthy dish. Get this Vegan Stir-Fried Eggplant recipe here.

9. Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry

Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry

This Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry is a quick and easy recipe to make. It's an excellent dish for a nutritious side or a main course for an Asian-inspired meal.

The ingredients are simple, the taste is delicious, and you can double the recipe to serve more people.

Things To Cook In A Wok

10. Pepper Steak With Mushrooms

Mushroom Pepper Steak

Pepper Steak With Mushrooms is a quick and easy meal that is a good option for a weeknight dinner.

Bell peppers, mushrooms, and ginger provide the bulk of the flavor that’s not too saucy in this stir-fry. If you want to make it even better, serve over hot rice!

11. Linguine with Asian-Style Pork

Asian Pork Linguine

A quick Asian sauce made with honey, ginger, and peanut butter, is the perfect sauce for this dish.

If you have fresh ginger on hand, grate 1/4 teaspoon into the sauce instead of ground ginger. This Linguine With Asian-Style Pork recipe is certainly a treat for hungry guests.

12. Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry

Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry

This Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry Meal is very delicious! The peanut butter mixed with sugar, soy sauce, and chicken will make your mouth water.

If you are looking for a great family meal or share with friends, we highly recommend this dish.

13. Sirloin Stir-Fry with Ramen Noodles

Sirloin Stir-Fry with Ramen Noodles

This Sirloin Stir-Fry With Ramen Noodles dish is very hearty and filling but tastes light. The soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and pepper combine nicely with the beef.

The noodles are a perfect accompaniment because they soak up all of the yummy sauce!

14. Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken Stir-Fry

This Chicken Stir-Fry recipe is delicious! You can taste the fresh flavors of the vegetables and the spicy sauce over the chicken.

It has a sour kick to it, but it's not overpowering. It's a great combination of tastes for a weeknight meal.

15. Scallops And Asparagus In Silver Sauce

Stir-Fried Scallops and Asparagus

This Scallops And Asparagus In Silver Sauce dinner meal is quick, tasty, and affordable. This stir-fry comes together in about half an hour, perfect for busy families on hurried weeknights. The best part about this recipe is that it's healthy too!

16. Thai-Style Brisket

Thai-Style Brisket

The Thai-Style Brisket dish is an excellent departure from the traditional sweet, smoky flavors that most people associate with brisket.

This dish has an authentic Thai taste thanks to peanut butter, soy, crisp-tender vegetables, and zesty seasonings. Served with a sourdough loaf of bread, it's a meal you won't soon forget.

17. Curried Fried Rice with Pineapple

Curried Fried Rice with Pineapple

This Curried Fried Rice With Pineapple is a good meal for trying new things and flavors. This dish is called Khao Pad and is popular in Thai restaurants.

It is mixed with a few other spices to bring out a little bit of heat and a hint of sweetness from the pineapple.

18. Shrimp With Chinese Greens Stir-Fry

Shrimp With Chinese Greens Stir-Fry

The Shrimp With Chinese Greens Stir-Fry recipe is a quick and delicious family dinner that you can make in six minutes.

The dish is light and tangy, and the shrimp taste sweet. This shrimp dish incorporates onions, scallions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar rice.

It is seasoned with cilantro leaves and chili flakes for a hint of heat.

19. Bitter Melon and Pork Stir Fry

Bitter Melon and Pork Stir Fry

A delicious way to introduce yourself to bitter melon, a nutrient-rich vegetable that aids digestion, is this tasty Asian stir-fry.

The dish is made with pork, shallots, ginger, garlic, and fermented black beans.

The bitter melon has many health benefits. It also balances this Bitter Melon And Pork Stir-Fry dish that is spicy but savory.

20. Wok-Seared Chili Plum Steaks

Wok-Seared Chili Plum Steaks

This Wok-Seared Chili Plum Steaks with corn fried rice recipe are full of flavor, low in fat, and easy to prepare - the perfect weeknight meal. Add plenty of vegetables to your rice before you start cooking it for an even healthier dish!

21. Pad See Ew

Pad see-ew

This noodle dish is popular in Thailand and consists of stir-fried thin rice noodles with Chinese broccoli, carrots, tiny dried shrimp, and egg.

The plate is usually served in a clear broth flavored with soy sauce or oyster sauce. Get this Pad See Ew recipe here.

22. Speedy Fried Rice

Speedy fried rice

This Speedy Fried-Rice recipe is a fun dish that your kids will enjoy. Kids love helping out in the kitchen, and this dish gives them a lot of fun.

This recipe starts with grilling vegetables and adding them to steamed brown rice. It's spiced with soy sauce, avocados, fried eggs, and sesame oil.

23. Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry

Lemon chicken stir-fry

Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry is a classic dish of chicken breasts cooked with onions, lemon juice, and celery. The flavor of this dish is very light and refreshing. It's a great dish to make for dinner on a hot summer day!

24. Cashew Chicken Ding

Cashew Chicken Ding

To make the dish, you can stir-fry diced vegetables in a bit of oil. It has been seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The dish contains cashew chicken, jicama, celery, and red bell pepper. Get this Cashew Chicken Ding here.

25. Cambodian Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry (Cha Kreung Satch Moan)

Cambodian Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry

This dish is a perfect introduction to Cambodian cuisine. It contains salty, sweet, savory, spicy, and herbal flavors.

The main ingredients for this sauce are lemongrass, galangal, fresh turmeric, and plenty of makrut lime leaves, which give the chicken a vibrant yellow color.

Holy basil and jalapeno provide fresh, crisp, and bright flavors.

Lemon juice gives the dish a sour taste, while sugar offers a touch of sweetness. Get this Cambodian Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry recipe here.

26. Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir Fry With French Fries)

Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado is a dish that has a lot of flavors. Chinese and Peruvian ingredients combine in this stir-fried dish to create a smoky flavor that combines elements from both cultures.

The main components are beef and onion. The sauce used in the dish includes ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

If you want to have a little more depth in your plate, you can throw some chilies in there as well.

27. Korean Spicy Marinated Pork With Chilies and Kimchi

Korean Spicy Marinated Pork With Chilies and Kimchi

The Korean Spicy Marinated Pork with chilies and kimchi is one of the most popular dishes in Korea because of its intense flavor.

The best part about this dish is that it tastes better when left out for a few hours to marinate before you eat it.

The pork shoulder is marinated in gochujang (Korean chili paste) and gochugaru (Korean dried-chili powder).

28. Lettuce Wraps

delicious chicken stir-fry in lettuce

This meal is a perfect choice for those who are watching their carb intake because it's a dish that replaces noodles, rice, or a pancake-like wrap.

These ingredients are fresh and provide the body with enough nutrition to stay healthy. Get this Healthy Lettuce Wraps recipe here.

29. Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

This is an excellent dish for when you have leftover rice and frozen shrimp on hand, but feel free to substitute fresh shrimp and ham if that's what you have.

Season it with oyster sauce, savory, salty, and caramel-y. Get this Shrimp Fried Rice recipe here.

30. Shrimp With Lobster Sauce Stir-Fry

shrimp stir fry with steam rice

Shrimp With Lobster Sauce Stir-Fry is a deliciously decadent meal. The shrimp and lobster sauce go very well together, and the dish is very finger-licking good.

This dish includes shrimp, green onions, soy sauce, garlic, white wine, and lobster sauce.

What Can You Cook In A Wok Besides Stir Fry

  • Tossing a salad in a wok is easy thanks to its wide top and plenty of room.

  • The wok is ideal for scrambling eggs, especially in large quantities. You can cook the eggs almost instantly, even if you've cooked some vegetables before adding the eggs to the wok.
  • Use your wok to keep tortillas warm when cooking a Mexican-style meal.
  • An electric wok is ideal for beef fondue. It has a larger surface area, and it doesn't burn (or smell) denatured alcohol like a regular fondue set. It works like a charm!
  • Place an empty tuna fish can with both ends cut off in the bottom with water like a steamer. Place a pan on top of the can, and you're ready to go.
  • It is possible to roast green coffee beans in a wok but do so outside (lots of smoke). You can even steam lobster in a wok.

Tips for Cooking with A Wok

Get a good one

wok pan placed on gas stove

A good wok is essential for cooking with a wok. A heavy carbon steel wok with a long handle will be easier to stir-fry and better for high heat.

We also recommend getting a flat-bottomed wok for frying and smoking with an angled long handle.

For stir-frying, don't use a wok that is larger than 16 inches.

If you're looking for the best cooking experience, you should check out our in-depth review of the Best Carbon Steel Woks.

Never overfill the wok

It would help if you never overfilled the wok because, in doing so, your food will not cook quickly enough.

Not only that, but you need a spare cooking environment to bring out the signature smoky dragon's breath flavor of good wok cookery in your dish.

Pre-heat the wok

When a wok is pre-heated, the pores expand and remain open.

This means that the flavor from previous cooking is released onto food as it cooks, which is desirable in Asian cuisine. 

The oil will also release a better taste because it has been heated beforehand. Pre-heating also ensures that your food doesn't stick to the wok’s surface as you stir fry.

Use the right oil

Choosing the right oil to cook with is very important because it can significantly impact your food. If you use the wrong oil, it will burn and taste bad.

Some oils are high in polyunsaturated fat content, so they will turn your food oily and unpleasant to eat.

Other oils have a high smoke point, so they won't burn when you cook in them. 

The grapeseed oil is one example of an oil that has these qualities. It has a great taste, and it doesn't break down into unhealthy fats when heated like other oils.

Turn the heat up

When cooking in a wok, the key is to keep the heat intense.

This intense heat will give you all different textures and flavors that you could not get with other types of cookware. So turn up your stove to compensate!

Conclusion

In this post, we've provided many great tips for cooking with a wok. If you have your favorite recipes or techniques that work well in the kitchen, please share them below! We love hearing from readers and would be happy to add any ideas to our list. 

Cooking with a wok is not only fun, but it can also help save time in the kitchen when making dinner. 

Plus, these instructions will give you delicious flavor combinations unlike anything else on the market today!

Tammy Kennedy
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