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Home » Curry » Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce 

Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce 

Published: Jan 25, 2013 · Modified: Jul 13, 2023 by Shweta Arora · This post may contain affiliate links

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Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is a delicious Chinese-style vegetarian recipe made with stir-fried vegetables in a spicy garlic sauce. It is vegan, delicious, and gets ready in under 30 mins. Serve it as a main course with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles.

Top view of bowl of vegetables in hot garlic sauce

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)!

Jump to:
  • About The Recipe
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How To Make Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce (Stepwise Photos)
  • Serving Suggestions 
  • Storage Instructions 
  • Recipe Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions 
  • More Indo-Chinese Recipes
  • Recipe Card

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

Ingredients for vegetables in hot garlic sauce in bowls on white surface

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 - 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

Steps to stir fry vegetables for hot garlic sauce

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

steps to make 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)

Steps for combining stir fried veggies with hot garlic sauce

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!

Side angled view of bowl of vegetables in hot garlic sauce

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.

Top view of bowl of vegetables in chili garlic sauce

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.

Feel free to experiment with different vegetables based on your preference and availability. Bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snow peas, and mushrooms work well, but you can add other vegetables like baby corn, zucchini, or water chestnuts for added variety.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I use frozen vegetables for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen vegetables if fresh ones are not available. However, recommend using fresh vegetables as frozen vegetables may have a softer texture compared to fresh ones.

Can I add protein such as tofu or chicken to the dish?

Yes! Feel free to add the protein of your choice to make it a complete meal. Tofu, chicken, shrimp, or even paneer are excellent additions to enhance the nutritional value.

Can I make Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce ahead of time?

While it's best to enjoy this dish fresh, you can prepare the sauce and chop the vegetables in advance. Stir-fry the vegetables and combine them with the sauce just before serving to maintain their texture and freshness.

Are Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, this dish is vegan and to make the sauce gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari.

More Indo-Chinese Recipes

Side view of bowl of mix vegetables in hot garlic sauce

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

Tried this recipe?Please rate the recipe by clicking the stars below
Top view of bowl of vegetables in chili garlic sauce

Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce

Shweta Arora
Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is a delicious Chinese-style vegetarian recipe made with stir-fried vegetables in a spicy garlic sauce. It is vegan, delicious, and gets ready in under 30 mins. Serve it as a main course with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 238 kcal
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Ingredients
  

For Vegetables Stir Fry

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup mushrooms cut in 4 quarters
  • 1 cup bell pepper colorful - cut in cubes
  • 1 cup zucchini chopped
  • ½ cup babycorn using canned
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper powder

For Hot Garlic Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup red onion cut in cubes
  • 6-7 spring onions white chopped (~ ½ cup chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1 green chili slit
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons red chili sauce or sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • ¼-½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ⅛-¼ teaspoon black pepper powder adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chili vinegar or white vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch corn flour
  • 1-2 cups water
  • 6-7 spring onions green chopped

Instructions
 

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:

  • 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.
  • Do 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. Transfer to a plate and keep aside.

Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce

  • 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.
  • Stir in ginger, garlic, green chili and sauté until aromatic (few seconds).
  • Add all the sauces (soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar), sugar, salt, and pepper. Sauté for a min.
  • Add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. (Add more water for more gravy)
  • 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.
  • Add in the sautéed veggies and simmer for 2-3 mins. Taste and adjust the flavors as you go along, adding more soy sauce, chili sauce, salt, or other seasonings as needed.
  • Garnish with spring onion greens. Homemade Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce is ready! Serve it warm with rice or noodles.

Video

Notes

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 you start since cooking 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.
Feel free to experiment with different vegetables based on your preference and availability. Bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, babycorn, and mushrooms work well, but you can add other vegetables like snow peas, carrots, green beans, or cauliflower. 
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1864IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shwetainthekitchen or tag #shwetainthekitchen!
Follow me on YouTube!Subscribe to my channel to get the latest Recipe Video updates.

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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Priya

    January 27, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    Beautifully done, who can resist to this wonderful and delicious dish.

    Reply
  2. Subhie Arun

    January 27, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    tempting n v mouthwatering..nice presentation

    Reply
  3. Divine Foods Living

    January 27, 2013 at 12:01 am

    Sounds like a very good combination. Such a nice hot meal, loved your version.

    Reply
  4. Kathleen Richardson

    January 26, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    Super veggie dish, Shweta. Wish garlic, chili and I got along better--maybe if I toned them down a bit?

    Reply
  5. Shri

    January 26, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Very tempting Shwetha!

    Reply
  6. divya

    January 26, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    mouthwatering presentation, so tempting!!!

    Reply
  7. anusha praveen

    January 26, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    A broccoli sits prettily in the fridge. Has been sitting for a while now. And i know what to do with it!

    Reply
  8. runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com

    January 26, 2013 at 10:24 am

    This is perfect with rice just as you have pictured, healthy too!

    Reply
  9. Arthy Suman

    January 26, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Thick gravy veges....love this....

    Reply
  10. Rita Bose

    January 26, 2013 at 9:21 am

    Wow! Looks delicious!

    Reply
  11. Veena Theagarajan

    January 26, 2013 at 9:19 am

    yummy veg gravy
    http://great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

    Reply
  12. Hamaree Rasoi

    January 26, 2013 at 7:20 am

    Delicious and mouthwatering combo. Low calorie meal as well.
    Deepa

    Reply
  13. Sireesha Puppala

    January 26, 2013 at 6:49 am

    Perfect low fat dish love the combo

    Reply
  14. pepper bowl

    January 26, 2013 at 3:04 am

    Low calorie side perfect for rice...Love it!!

    Reply
  15. Anu

    January 26, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Healthy veggies

    Reply
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