Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is one of my favorite curries to pair with Veg fried rice or simply steamed rice. It looks exotic but is so easy and quick to make.
It is a veggie-loaded meal that is healthy, nutritious, and kid-friendly too (you can reduce the spiciness)!
About The Recipe
Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is a popular Indian-Chinese dish that features a medley of stir-fried vegetables coated in a flavorful and spicy garlicky sauce. The dish typically includes a combination of vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, babycorn, and mushrooms, all stir-fried to perfection in a wok or skillet. You can also add a protein like tofu, paneer, chicken, or shrimp to make it more nutritious. The stir-fried vegetables are then tossed in delicious hot garlic sauce. The Hot garlic sauce is made with ingredients such as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, chili, and other seasonings, resulting in a savory, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce that is so delicious!! Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce can be enjoyed as a standalone main dish with steamed rice, fried rice, or veg noodles, or as a side dish alongside other Chinese delicacies. It makes a comforting one-pot vegan meal that is full of fresh ingredients and robust flavors. Plus it’s quick and easy to make and definitely better than takeout!
Recipe Ingredients
Vegetables: I have used broccoli, bell peppers, baby corn (canned or fresh), mushrooms, red onion, yellow squash, and zucchini. You can use vegetables of your choice. Here are some other vegetables that go well in this dish - bok choy, carrots, green beans, snow peas, cauliflower, and bean sprouts. Garlic and ginger: Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for the best aromatic flavor. Soy sauce: Provides a savory and umami flavor to the dish. I prefer mixing dark soy sauce and regular soy sauce for the best color and flavor combination. For gluten-free options, use Tamari or coconut aminos. Vinegar: I use chili vinegar which gives the gravy a slightly spicy and tangy flavor. You can use white vinegar (or rice vinegar) too. Red Chili Sauce: I prefer adding red chili sauce in addition to raw green chili as it adds a spicy kick and a burst of flavor to the gravy. You can also use Sriracha or the hot sauce of your choice. Cornstarch - This helps to thicken the gravy and is gluten-free. Oil: I use Avocado oil for stir-frying vegetables and cooking the sauce but you can also use vegetable oil, canola oil too. Spring onions: Chopped spring onions or scallions for the hot garlic sauce and as a garnish for extra freshness. Spices: Salt, and pepper to season the dish to taste. Sugar: I prefer brown sugar but you can also use white granulated sugar. Sugar helps balance the flavors and heat. Please refer to the recipe card for exact measurements of ingredients.
How To Make Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce (Stepwise Photos)
Prep Work: Chop all the veggies and keep them aside. In a small bowl, mix all the sauces and keep them ready. Similarly, make the cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch in cold water. Stir Fry Vegetables 1 and 2 - Heat oil in a wok or stir-fry pan. Add all the vegetables except red onions and stir-fry on high heat for 3 – 5 minutes. Keep them on one side longer to char the veggies. 3 - Make sure not to overcook the vegetables. They should be tender yet crunchy. At this point add ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well. 4 - Transfer to a plate and keep aside. Making Hot Garlic Sauce 5 - Heat oil in a wok or stir-fry pan ( I use the same pan used to stir fry veggies), add red onion, spring onion white, and sauté for 2 mins. 6 - Stir in ginger, garlic, green chili and saute until aromatic (few seconds). 7 - Stir in all the sauces (soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar), sugar, salt, and pepper. Sauté for a min. 8 - Add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. (Add more water for more gravy) 9 - Mix the cornstarch slurry and add to the boiling hot sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens for at least 1-2 mins to make it lump-free. 10 - Add in the sautéed veggies and simmer for 2-3 mins. 11 - Garnish with spring onion greens. 12 - Taste and adjust the flavors as you go along, adding more soy sauce, chili sauce, salt, or other seasonings as needed. Homemade Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
Serve Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce warm with rice or noodles. The combination of saucy vegetables and grains creates a satisfying meal. We love pairing it with Fried rice but you can also serve it with steamed white rice, Hakka Noodles, or veg noodles.
Storage Instructions
You can store leftover Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow it to cool completely before storing. Vegetables may lose some texture and freshness upon storage, and become softer and less crisp. Before serving, reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop until completely heated through. Adjust consistency with water as needed. It’s not recommended to freeze this dish as the vegetables may become mushy upon thawing.
Recipe Tips
Cut the vegetables into uniform thickness and size to ensure even cooking. This helps to maintain their texture and ensures they cook at the same rate. Use a wok or a large skillet and heat it over high heat before adding the vegetables. This helps to achieve a quick and flavorful stir-fry while retaining the vegetables’ crispness. Keep everything prepped before cooking starts since it happens quickly and on high heat. Stir-fry the vegetables until they are just tender-crisp. Overcooking can result in mushy vegetables, which can lessen their appeal and texture. Adjust the amount of garlic based on your taste preferences. If you enjoy a stronger garlic flavor, increase the amount, or reduce it for a milder taste. You can use a variety of vegetables based on your preference and availability. Bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, green beans, snow peas, mushrooms, baby corn, bok choy, zucchini, celery, bean sprouts, cauliflower, and water chestnuts are a few options. Adjust the amount of chili or chili sauce according to your preferred level of spiciness. Add more for a hotter sauce or reduce it for a milder flavor. Adjust the sauce thickness to your liking. You can also make it dry stir-fried Chinese vegetables and serve as an appetizer.
More Chinese Recipes
I hope you enjoy this Vegetables In Hot Garlic Sauce Recipe !! If you try this recipe, please rate it by clicking stars ⭐️ on the recipe card. Thank you ❤️! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s cooking in my kitchen!!
Recipe Card
Update Notes: This post was originally published on Jan 25, 2013, but was republished with, step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video in July of 2023.
