What To Serve With Stir Fry: 10 Best Sides
If you’re eager to get more veggies in your diet, or you simply love a meal that’s quick and easy to throw together, then it’s likely that you’ll be a lover of a stir fry.
Just toss your favourite protein in a pan, add any vegetables that are lurking in your fridge, whack it over a high heat, and you’re good to go. With the addition of some flavourings like garlic, chilli, and ginger, you’ve got a delicious meal cooked from scratch in less than ten minutes.
But if you want to keep mealtimes interesting, you might be wondering what to serve with stir fry.
Though it’s a complete dish in its own right, adding some side dishes and accompaniments might work really well if you’re in the mood for experimenting, you’re cooking for guests, or you’re just feeling super hungry and want to add something extra.
Here are some ideas for you to try…
1. Spring rolls
Spring rolls are often regarded as being appetisers, or dim sum, that are popular in Asian cuisine.
Of course, there are many different interpretations of the recipe, and you’ll find varying ingredients used for both the wrapper and the filling.
I like to use a filo pastry casing, and add minced meat like chicken or pork, as well as shredded veggies like carrot and onion. These easy spring rolls are a great starting point if you’re making them for the first time!
2. Steamed dumplings
If you’re wondering what to serve with stir fry and you love trying Asian appetisers, you should definitely consider making a batch of steamed dumplings!
They’re often known as gyoza, and again they can be filled with whatever ingredients you might have to hand.
Steaming is the preferred cooking method here because it’s quicker than boiling, and results in a satisfying stretchy texture.
3. Egg fried rice
Egg fried rice is a simple but delicious side dish for stir fry.
I make this by boiling and draining rice, then adding to a hot pan and frying with egg, soy sauce, seasoning, and spring onion.
If you like, you can add chunks of bacon or pack with veggies like pepper and mushroom.
4. Sesame noodles
Noodles are quick, easy, and fun to eat, so they’re often popular even with the fussiest of eaters.
Make your noodles extra special by tossing with an Asian sesame peanut dressing. It’s sweet, sour, and salty, and adds an extra depth of flavour to any main course that it’s served alongside.
This recipe tastes just as good when served cold or at room temperature, so you might want to make up a batch so you can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.
5. Prawn toast
You’ve likely eaten prawn toast before at your favourite Chinese restaurant, but have you ever considered making your own at home?
Many people assume that they’ll have to use a deep fat fryer, which is often a messy process, but this baked prawn toast recipe is delicious and straightforward.
Serve them in the middle of the dinner table so everyone can help themselves, and don’t forget to add some sweet chilli sauce for dipping!
6. Crusty bread
This one might not be an Asian inspired side dish for stir fry, but it still works so well!
I like to keep some part-baked baguettes in pantry. They tend to have a long shelf life, and you can have freshly baked, warm bread on the table in around ten minutes.
7. Fried eggs
Adding fried eggs to your stir fry can increase your protein intake, and there’s something that’s oh so satisfying about cutting into a runny yolk and letting it run into your main meal!
Heat a pan over a medium heat, crack in your eggs and cook for three minutes, add any seasoning you might like, then cook covered for a further minute.
After much experimentation, I’ve found that this easy method results in perfectly cooked eggs every time.
8. Hot and sour soup
Hot and sour soup is warming, satisfying, and bursting with traditional Asian flavours.
It makes a great starter or side dish for stir fry, especially if you’re aiming to create an Asian inspired banquet and have several options for everyone to choose from.
If you have the time available, try making your own. This way you can keep it healthy by omitting any preservatives and being mindful of the amount of salt that you add.
9. Scallion pancakes
Scallion pancakes are made using hot water dough, and this helps to create a beautifully flaky, crisp, and light texture. If you’ve ever been left feeling disappointed by pancakes that are thick and stodgy, you’ll find this technique to be revolutionary!
You’ll need a food processor and a little patience, but these beauties are well worth the effort.
10. French fries
Who doesn’t love a serving of piping hot, crisp French fries?
They may not be a traditional or authentic choice for what to serve with stir fry, but at the end of the day, food and mealtimes should be fun and enjoyable, and what could be more fun than fries?
My homemade air fryer chips recipe can be used to create perfect fries – just slice the chips to your desired thickness, and you’re good to go!
Stir fry is so versatile, and whether you’re making a quick dinner for the kids after school, or you’re hosting guests and really want to impress, your choice of side dishes can make the meal what you want it to be.
My favourite approach is to make several sides, and treat the feast like an Asian buffet at the kitchen table!
Which of these sides do you enjoy the most? Are there any others that you’d like to add to this list?
