Meet your new midweek secret weapon: an astonishingly quick Satay Peanut Stir Fry that tastes like what you get from Chinese restaurants. On the table in 15 minutes, made with your choice of protein – beef, chicken, pork, prawns/shrimp or tofu!
This recipe is made using one of my master sauce recipe, this Peanut Sauce for Stir Fries. Like my All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce, it can be used for any stir fry or noodles using a “formula” (provided in the recipe) and forms the basis for many recipes I’ve shared over the years!
Quick Peanut Stir Fry
I love being proven wrong over good food.
I can usually read a recipe and have a good sense for what it will taste like. I know, for example, a stir fry made with just soy sauce and sugar would just taste flat and bleh.
And I must confess, when I first saw the relatively short ingredient list for the Satay Peanut Stir Fry Sauce for this recipe, I was a bit dubious – but also curious. Would it have enough depth of flavour, could you taste the peanut, was there even enough sauce??
I was dead wrong.
This, my friends, is a gem of a find. It’s not mine, it’s a reader recipe – Pat The Wanderer, a self declared nomad…..I love the mystery surrounding where “home” actually is!
Long time readers know I’m a fan of Satay, having done my share of various types including Thai Chicken Satay, Indonesian Satay Skewers (easiest of the bunch, Malaysian coming soon), Satay Chicken Noodle Salad (this is epic!), a Chicken Satay Curry and a saucy Chinese Chicken Satay Stir Fry (my copycat of the satay chicken from Chinese restaurants here in Australia).
Though they are all easy, the ingredient list is a bit longer than the typical quick midweek meal I share here, and some require pulling out your food processor. So I’m pretty chuffed to have discovered this QUICK Satay Peanut Stir Fry recipe!
I’ve made this 5 times – 3 times with beef, once with chicken and prawns/shrimp. Try this with Velveted Chicken or Beef (meat that’s tenderised the easy Chinese restaurant way) – it’s incredible!
If you’re a busy person, fan of satay, lover of Chinese food and/or all of the above, this one is for you. Pat The Wanderer, we thank you! – Nagi xx
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Quick Satay Peanut Stir Fry (any protein)
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp curry powder (any - I use hot!)
- 1 1/2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter (smooth also ok)
- 2 tbsp water
Stir Fry:
- 300 - 350 g / 10 - 12 oz beef , chicken or pork thinly sliced (or peeled prawns/shrimp) (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 garlic , finely chopped (Note 3)
- 1 large onion , sliced
- 1 large carrot , julienned (Note 4)
- 1 big handful bean sprouts (~1 1/2 cups packed)
- 1/2 cup finely sliced shallots / green onions (plus more for garnish)
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts , plus more for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Sauce ingredients EXCEPT WATER together in a small bowl. Then mix in water (easier to combine).
- Place beef in a bowl, add 1 tbsp Sauce. Mix, set aside 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a wok or large heavy based skillet over high heat. Add garlic and stir until golden (~10 sec) then add onion. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add beef. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes or until it mostly turns brown (some red spots ok). If using pork, chicken or prawns, cook until almost cooked through.
- Add carrots, bean sprouts and Sauce. Cook until veggies are wilted.
- Add peanuts and shallots, stir.
- Serve immediately with rice or noodles, garnished with extra shallots and peanuts if desired. (For a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice!)
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Quick Satay Peanut Stir Fry recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
At the time this post goes live, I’ll be up in the air enroute from San Francisco to Sydney, back to my usual routine. This is part of it – every single time I take Dozer to the beach, I open the boot, Dozer leaps out, bolts across the park and all the way down the beach about 500m/550 yards away (Step 1) then a few minutes later, bolts back to make sure I’m coming (Step 2).
Every. Single. Time.
So tomorrow when I land, I’ll be back to it. 🙂
Made this last night with beef strips and did your ‘velvet’ trick which worked a treat! A few variations (as you do!) – made double the amount of sauce, added a small can of coconut milk at the end, and a lot more veges as we had them already in the fridge. It was really delicious and we all voted to have it as a regular addition to our dinner planning. Love all of your recipes, but this is a serious winner. Thank you !
I love this satay sauce, sounds like you nailed a great stir fry Kathy!
Made this last night and added a heap of different veg. Had with cauliflower rice and it was so lovely. Had for lunch today and tasted so good. Your recipes never disappoint.
Thanks Nagi
You’re so welcome Jackie, I’m so glad it was a hit!
Made this tonight and had it with cauliflower rice! (I made my own, not store bought). It was so good!! I’m loving your recipes!
Sounds great Kim! The perfect way to reduce the carbs – N x
Awesome recipe find! Can i freeze it?
Hi Nagi. Thanks for this and all your great recipes. You are my “go-to” site when I feel like getting adventurous in the kitchen.
I have made this 3 times now – twice with noodles and once over rice. Fantastic every time…. except last night…
What killed it? The moment I realised I didn’t have any left over bagged carrots and had to julienne a bunch by hand! (i was doubling the recipe too, so more fine carrot chopping). I wish there was an easier way. Wait – there is… Don’t run out of bagged chopped carrots!!
When I dont know why to make for dinner I search your site…..you have the best recipes…..and I love your “notes” because I have issues finding the right ingredients…..they are super helpful……I have tried at least five of your recipes and they are alway perfect….except I double the sauces always….becuase they are soooooo good……thank you!!!
You’re making my head grow so big…. 😂
Looking forward to trying this.
Another plea for your hainanese chicken meal recipes please
I promise promise it is on my list for the near future!!
Another delicious hit! I added capsicum to it and it was a nice added burst of sweetness! Thanks Nagi!
Love hearing that Chantelle! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 Have a great weekend! N x
Y U M
This has become almost a weekly staple in our household as its so versatile!
I have made it with noodles, without noodles, with rice etc. I’m also veggo but i just take some of the satay and marinate what ever meat we have for my husband. I sometimes. I also use it as a ‘fridge surprise’ (aka – whatever i have in the fridge) – excellent at getting rid of all the unused veggies etc.
Fridge surprise! You could work in magazines 😂
This may be a dumb question. I know there are different kinds of curry. When you say curry powder is this what I find in th grocery store. It only says “curry” Doesnt say hot or not? Im confused between curries.
You’re a culinary magician Nagi, this recipe wowed the whole family! I’ve never made satay from scratch before and I’ll never be able to go back to bottled satay sauce again!
Hi Anne! That’s not a dumb question at all, it’s a GOOD one. You’re right, there are many types of curry powders, then there’s also just generic mixes called “curry powder”. For this recipe, any generic “curry powder” is fine because it’s not a dominant flavour. Even if it’s hot, it won’t make this spicy because there’s not enough in it. 🙂 So just go ahead and use what you find! N x
Absolutely love your website and the addition of Dozer and the notes with tips and alternatives means you are now going to be my go to website.
I tried this tonight and loved it, I might add some green veggies next time but will definitely be added to the rotation.
Can’t wait to try another of your recipes.
I love hearing that Laura!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Happy New Year Nagi!
I whisked this up again for the umpteenth time this evening and as always it was an absolute ripper. I always double the sauce as it’s so good and add a smidge more curry powder as I like a slightly stronger curry kick. Wife loved it, kids loved it, job done.
Like you I’m a bit of a curry fiend but between this and my homemade chicken satay pizza my addiction is satisfied.
Thanks once again for a cracking recipe.
PS – Not nagging but my two wishes for your site this year are Hainanese Chicken and Char Kway Teow 🙂
THEY ARE BOTH ON MY LIST!!! 😂
Oops meant to say satay fiend!
Hi Naggi,
In case you didn’t know. You also have fans on the other side of the world (the Netherlands). This evening I made your satay peanut stir fry with thin slices of beef. Delicious. And we love all of your recipes. All of your ingredients are available in the supermarket. And if not (in case of kaffir lemon leaves f.e.) we can buy them in Indonesian tokos of which we have a lot.
Hiiii Petra! It is so nice to hear from you. Sharing my favourite recipes with people all over the world is one of the reasons I love what I do so much!!! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this one, it’s a reader recipe and I enjoyed it so much, I was so surprised how quick and easy it was! Thanks for taking the time to leave a message for me. 🙂 N x
Hi Naggi,
I’m a fan of your recipes on the other side of the world (The Netherlands). I made this recipe for the second time with thin slices of beef. Really delicious. Thank you for allof your recipes. Ans all of your ingredients are available in the Dutch supermarkets (or incase of kaffir lemonleaves in indonesian toko’s of which there are many in the Netherlands).
Sorry I wrote 2 comments because I thougt this one went wrong.
No worries!
Hi Nagi,
Love your blog and your recipes, this satay is amazing as its so quick to cook and like you say, packs a punch flavour wise. My husband and i love it.
Thank you so much! xEX
I’m so pleased to hear that Evelyn! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this recipe 🙂 N xx
Cooked this 2 nights ago with pork fillet. Really nice. Just added a bit of chilli sauce for a bit if zing. Great recipe as usual, will definitely have again.
That’s so wonderful to hear Kim! Thanks for letting me know – N xx
This was really really good. It’s a good way to use up veges.
I recommend using the fish sauce, it doesn’t taste fishy at all, I think soy would be too strong for this dish.
I also recommend making extra sauce, it’s delish.
Hey Nagi – can you please send the link to the dog biscuits.
That’s so great to hear Barb. Thanks for letting me know – N xx I’ve made these ones, they are GREAT! http://hapanom.com/homemade-dog-biscuits/
Made this tonight, and it’s delicious. I’m always looking for quick and easy midweek meals. This is going on regular rotation.
I doubled the sauce recipe, as we like things a little saucier. Left out the spring onions, as I’m not a fan, and added broccoli. Next time I will add more veg such as baby corn.
That’s so fantastic to hear Katrina! And definitely yes to adding more veg 🙂 Especially if you double the recipe!!
Cooked this tonight, my entire family gobbled it down! I have been looking for a good peanut based/satay recipe that is easy and quick. This one worked beautifully (due to time constraints, I didn’t even have time to marinate the chicken with the tbs of sauce) and will go on our regular rotation! Thanks Nagi!
What wonderful feedback Jennifer, I’m so pleased to hear that, thank you! N xx
Yum – got home at 6.20 – and it’s freezing here! This was quick and perfect!!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it Sherree! N xx