A wok can take up an ample space in your kitchen so it may be time to dust it off, give it a rinse, and get frying. With such a large utensil, there are so many options for a tasty meal.
Perhaps a stir-fry for batch cooking so you have leftovers during the week, or a stir-fry for all the family. Maybe you want to recreate one of your favorite take-out dishes to see how close you can get it.
In this guide, we will look at 20 of the best recipes with a wok and include a bonus section for some favorite takeout recipes.
1. Chicken Lo Mein
If you enjoy thinner noodles with your stir-fry then cook up some angel-hair noodles for this Chicken Lo Mein (see also ‘36 Insanely Good Ninja Foodi Chicken Recipes‘). Combine soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger in a bowl and set aside.
Fry the chicken until browned and no longer pink then remove to fry the broccoli and carrots. Once crisp-tender, add the cornstarch mix, bring to a boil to thicken, then add the chicken and noodles.
2. Easy Fried Rice
Easy Fried Rice could be a standalone meal or you can just have it as an accompaniment. Scramble two eggs in the wok and then set aside while you stir-fry rice and then a blend of chopped vegetables with onions and garlic.
Add the chicken and fry until heated through then add a mix of soy sauce, chicken broth, ginger, and pepper and combine. Finally, return the eggs to the wok and throw in some crumbled bacon.
3. Easy Pad Thai
Pad Thai combines so many ingredients and flavors that you really should try your own variation on the dish. Prepare a batch of Thai rice noodles and then whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, and fish sauce.
Add your meat (you could use chicken, pork, or even seafood), and cook it through then remove and set aside.
Add matchstick carrots and bell pepper slices then garlic, green onions, and beansprouts. Crack some eggs in the center of the wok and scramble them then incorporate the rest of the ingredients.
Once cooked through, serve with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and chili flakes.
4. Steak Stir-Fry
A simple Steak Stir-Fry can be a quick midweek meal. Toss the steak strips with ginger, garlic, and pepper then fry until browned and remove.
Fry the carrots, green onions, and bell pepper and combine with cornstarch, soy sauce, water and beef bouillon. Bring to a boil, return the strips to the wok and heat it all through.
5. Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
For a quick stir-fry, try this Sesame Chicken recipe.
Mix cubed chicken thighs with whisked egg and cornstarch then brown with soy sauce. Combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, cornstarch, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, and ginger to pour over the chicken and cook until thickened.
Add the snow peas then serve over rice.
6. Hamburger Stir-Fry
While it may not taste like a typical hamburger, you can use the components in a stir-fry. Fry the beef until cooked through then crumble and set aside. Fry your favorite vegetable stir-fry mix with onion slices until crisp-tender.
Add a mixture of cornstarch, sugar, mustard, water, and teriyaki sauce, bring to the boil and then add the beef once thickened.
7. Pineapple Pork Stir-Fry
Pineapple and pork go so well together, so find out for yourself with this recipe. Combine the cornstarch with water, garlic powder, and a tablespoon of pineapple juice then coat the pork.
In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce with ginger, brown sugar, cayenne pepper and the rest of the pineapple juice.
Fry the pork until cooked through then remove while you fry the carrots, broccoli, and onion then add the rest of the pineapple cornstarch mix.
Bring to the boil to thicken then warm through the pork and pineapple to serve with rice.
8. Ginger Pork Stir-Fry
Ginger goes so well with pork and you can find out with this recipe. Combine cornstarch, orange juice, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger then set aside while you brown the pork and drain.
In the same wok, fry onion, snow peas, and bell pepper until crisp-tender. Stir in the orange sauce, bring to a boil to thicken then warm through the pork to serve over rice.
9. Orange Chicken Stir-Fry
With orange, garlic, and ginger, this is a flavorful stir-fry. Cook the chicken until browned and sprinkle on some garlic salt.
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, orange juice, cornstarch, and ginger then pour onto the chicken while you bring it to the boil. Add the orange pieces, sprinkle on green onions, then serve over rice.
10. Quick Pepper Steak Stir-Fry
If you have some steak and a couple of bell peppers, you can quickly prepare this Pepper Steak Stir-Fry. Cook the peppers until tender then remove while you brown the seasoned steak slices.
Add garlic and ginger and return the peppers to the wok with the steak then whisk together sugar, soy sauce, water, and cornstarch. Pour the sauce onto the mixture and bring to a simmer until thickened.
11. Mongolian Beef
You do not have to travel all the way to Mongolia, or even your local takeout, to try Mongolian Beef. Mix the flank steak strips with soy sauce, Chinese wine, cornstarch, and baking soda.
Separately combine soy sauce, chicken broth, Chinese wine, and brown sugar then add to onion and the white parts of green onions in the wok before adding garlic, ginger, and red chili strips.
Finally, add the cornstarch paste and stir until thickened then add the steak and the green parts of the green onions.
12. Beef And Broccoli
For a healthy and filling meal, combine fresh broccoli with beef. Create the sauce by stirring together ginger, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, black pepper, sesame oil, and hot water.
Sauté the broccoli florets then remove while you add the steak slices until cooked through and add the sauce. Simmer until thickened then return the broccoli to the wok.
13. Thai Style Brisket
You can even cook an entire brisket in a wok to create a flavorful meal, with a little help from a slow cooker (see more brisket recipes here).
Brown the meat then remove to a slow cooker to cook with peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, pepper flakes, and pepper.
Once tender, combine cornstarch with water and add to the juices to thicken. In the wok, fry carrots, bell peppers, and onions then stir in the juices. Slice the brisket and serve it on rice with the vegetables.
14. Beijing Beef
If you are aware of the Panda Express chain then you should want to recreate their Beijing Beef.
This Panda Express copycat recipe allows you to enjoy the flavors of their famous dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Mix in steak strips with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and black pepper then combine oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and sambal oelek in a separate bowl.
Cover the strips in cornstarch and fry until browned then remove while you fry the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Pour in the sauce, simmer, and return the steak strips to warm through.
15. Thai Basil Chicken
With so many red bird chilies, this is another Asian dish that may be considered a bit hot. Crush those chilies and add garlic to create a paste to cook in the wok before adding ground chicken until cooked through.
Add sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and soy sauce then fold in the basil and remove from the heat. Break each egg into the wok with a healthy layer of oil and fry until the edges have crisped up.
16. Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
You can even use a wok for a Hawaiian dish like this Pineapple Fried Rice. Fry up some chopped onion, the white parts of green onions, and bell peppers then add carrots, ginger, ham, and garlic before finally adding the peas.
Add whisked eggs and combine with the rest of the ingredients before adding rice with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Add the pineapple, mix, and remove from the heat to serve with the remaining green parts of the onions.
17. Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fry
This stir-fry can pack a punch and you can make it with chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. Sauté your protein of choice then remove and set aside. Fry the onion and bell pepper slices until just slightly crispy then add garlic.
Whisk together the Szechuan sauce from soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, Chinese five spice, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and ginger.
Add the sauce to the protein and vegetables until thickened. Immediately serve with noodles or rice.
18. Beef Chow Fun
This beef and noodle dish should use up a few ingredients in your cupboard and can become a firm family favorite.
Cook up some wide rice noodles and leave them to cool in an ice bath while you whisk together garlic, dark and regular soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, Sriracha, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Pour half of the mixture over the flank steak strips and refrigerate the rest.
Use a slotted spoon to drain off the marinade and brown the beef in the wok then remove. Cook the onion strips then add bean sprouts with the rest of the chilled marinade.
Return the beef and introduce the noodles to the wok then combine and serve with some chopped green onions and sesame oil.
19. Honey Garlic Shrimp
Combining sweet with savory works so well for this Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe. Create the sauce from orange zest, orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar with a dash of water.
Form a paste from a tablespoon of the mixture with cornstarch to stir back in. Pat and season the shrimp then batch fry until cooked through and remove.
To the same wok, add ginger, garlic, scallion whites, and red pepper flakes. Add the orange-soy mixture and cook until thickened. Return the shrimp to the wok, add the scallion greens and toss together.
20. General Tso’s Chicken
For a chicken entrée that comes well-recommended, try General Tso’s Chicken. Create an egg and flour mixture to coat the chicken pieces then deep fry until browned.
Fry off some garlic and red pepper flakes then add whisked chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
Bring it to a simmer and add the chicken when it’s thickened to coat. Sprinkle on some sesame seeds and green onions to serve.
Bonus: Takeout-Style
If you have a wok, you may find yourself putting the takeout menus away. It should be cheaper and so much more rewarding to recreate your favorite takeout recipes.
From Kung Pao Chicken to Sweet and Sour Pork, even Thai Cashew Chicken can be easily done in your own kitchen.
Kung Pao Chicken
If you look out for the Kung Pao Chicken on a takeout menu then try to make your own. Combine the cubed chicken thighs with oil, sherry, cornstarch, and soy sauce then set aside.
Mix together the chicken broth, soy sauce, cooking sherry, white vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and cornstarch for your sauce then brown the marinated chicken and remove.
Fry off the ginger, garlic, bell peppers, and chilies then add the sauce and bring to a boil before returning the chicken to the wok with peanuts, sesame oil, and green onions.
Sweet And Sour Pork
For Sweet And Sour Pork that could rival a take-out, get your wok out. For the sauce, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and tomato paste then mix together cornstarch and water in a separate bowl.
Season the pork cubes and create separate egg and flour mixtures to coat each cube then fry them until golden brown.
Wipe the wok, add more oil and then fry the bell peppers followed by pineapple. Return the pork to the wok and add the sauce to cook until it reaches a boil.
Stir in the cornstarch paste and coat the mixture before garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds.
Thai Cashew Chicken
If you have several vegetables in the refrigerator then use them in this Thai Cashew Chicken. Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch and seasoning then sauté until just cooked through and add garlic.
Push aside the chicken in the wok and add bell peppers, onion, white parts of scallions, and red chilies then combine while stirring in the cashews.
Stir in the sauce of whisked together oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water with the green parts of scallions.
Final Thoughts
If you have a wok, there are already so many dishes you can create. Stir-fries can make great use of any leftover meat or vegetables by just using some ingredients from your kitchen shelves.
Should you struggle for inspiration then grab a takeout menu, pick your favorite recipe and try to recreate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Else Can You Cook With A Wok?
While ideal for stir-fries, you can also boil vegetables in a wok or deep fry pretty much anything. If yours comes with a lid then you can use it to steam vegetables and cook seafood.
Why Should I Use A Wok Instead Of A Frying Pan?
You may be tempted to put away your frying pan as a wok comes with a shorter cook time and has more room to fit more food. The shape requires less oil and you can season a wok for a non-stick coating and they cook at a high heat.
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