Healthy Easy Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry (Print Version)

Vibrant stir fry featuring spiralized zucchini noodles and crisp vegetables in a light sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
02 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 carrot, julienned
04 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
05 - 2 green onions, sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
14 - Fresh cilantro or basil, chopped, optional
15 - Lime wedges, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and chili flakes. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil if desired, then sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add bell pepper, carrot, and snap peas. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender-crisp.
04 - Add zucchini noodles and green onions. Stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes until noodles are softened but retain a crisp texture.
05 - Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until evenly coated and heated through.
06 - Remove from heat. Divide between bowls and garnish with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and lime wedges if desired.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely fast—the whole thing comes together while you're still mentally transitioning from work to evening, and nothing feels rushed.
  • The sauce tastes restaurant-quality but uses ingredients most people already have hiding in their pantry.
  • You actually feel satisfied afterward, which is that quiet victory when healthy food doesn't taste like punishment.
02 -
  • Don't prep the zucchini noodles until you're almost ready to cook them—they shed water as they sit, and watery noodles will steam instead of stir-fry, turning into a mushy disappointment.
  • The difference between great and mediocre here is whether you keep the heat high enough and work quickly; low heat will make everything soft and sad instead of vibrant.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds if you have regular ones—the flavor becomes noticeably deeper and more interesting than pre-toasted.
  • A tiny splash of water mixed into the sauce if it seems too salty or intense actually balances everything beautifully without diluting the flavors.
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