Japanese Zucchini Onion Stir Fry (Printable)
Tender zucchini and sweet onions in a savory Japanese sauce, ready in 20 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
02 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
→ Aromatics & Seasonings
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
→ Sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
08 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar
→ Cooking
10 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
→ Garnish
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
# Steps:
01 - Combine soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until sugar completely dissolves. Set aside for later use.
02 - Heat neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
03 - Add sliced onions to the hot pan. Stir fry for 2 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
04 - Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Add zucchini slices to the pan. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender but still crisp-tender.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce over vegetables. Toss to coat evenly. Continue stir frying for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce slightly thickens and vegetables are glossy.
07 - Remove from heat immediately. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot as a side dish or over steamed rice.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The balance of salty and sweet makes zucchini taste like something entirely new
- It comes together in under twenty minutes but tastes like it took much longer
- You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now
02 -
- Overcooked zucchini turns mushy and watery so pull it from the heat while it still has some bite
- The sauce will continue to thicken slightly off the heat so dont cook it down too much in the pan
- Mirin substitutes like rice vinegar and sugar work but the flavor wont be quite the same
03 -
- Get your pan properly hot before adding the vegetables it makes all the difference in texture
- Slice the zucchini and onion evenly so everything cooks at the same rate