Wok recipes are brilliant for quick and delicious meals on days when you don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen.
Here are some fabulous yet straightforward recipes for meals that will be ready in minutes. These recipes will work with any wok – be it stainless steel or a cast iron wok. If you don’t have an open flame to cook on, you can also adapt this cooking method and use wok on electric stove.
There is something for everyone here: one beef recipe, a shrimp recipe, and a vegan Thai curry recipe.
1. Beef and kale stir fry
This recipe serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chuck steak or another favorite type of beef, cut into bite-sized pieces (or boneless ribs)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Dash of red pepper flakes
- A few pinches of salt
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, divided
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry or rice wine
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 6 scallions, sliced thinly
- Fresh ginger, sliced thinly (slice a 2-inch piece)
- 5 handfuls kale, thick stems taken out and cut into pieces
- Rice, quinoa, noodles, or other favorite grain for serving (optional)
- Sesame seeds, for serving (optional)
Method
Mix the cornstarch, red pepper flakes, and one pinch of salt in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and stir well. Toss the meat in this mixture and set it aside.
Mix the vinegar, rice wine, and the other 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce in another bowl. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in your wok. When the oil is hot, sauté the scallions and ginger for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the kale, as well as another pinch of salt, and toss till the leaves have wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat the other tablespoon of oil, and once hot, add the meat mixture. Spread out the meat to form one layer and let it cook for 1 minute to brown and caramelize it. Then toss for another minute till the meat is brown all over. Add in the rice wine mixture and toss with the meat pieces till the sauce is thick and coating the wok’s contents evenly.
Remove the food from heat and serve on top of rice, noodles, or another chosen grain, if using. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
2. Quick Shrimp Stir Fry
This recipe serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 24 shrimp, peeled, deveined, and washed
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal (julienned)
- Fresh ginger, thinly sliced (one 3-inch piece)
- 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional, quite spicy)
- 4 tablespoons oil (canola, peanut, or grapeseed)
- Ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- Steamed rice, quinoa, buckwheat, noodles, or other favorite grain (optional, for serving)
Method
Heat your wok till it is almost smoking, and add the oil and ginger. Sauté the ginger for a few seconds over high heat, then add the shrimp quickly, along with the scallions (and chili, if using). Stir continuously while adding the rice wine, then cover and let cook for 30 seconds.
Remove the cover and stir again while adding the salt, black pepper, and soy sauce. Give it a final stir and serve, either on its own or over your rice or noodles.
3. Thai Style Tofu
This recipe serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola, grapeseed, or peanut)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 2 tablespoons red Thai curry paste (buy store-bought or make your own)
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 1/4 cups water or vegetable stock
- 3/4 pound fried tofu triangles (or use firm tofu)
- 3/4 cup sugar snap peas, washed and prepared (cut tops and tails off)
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cored, deseeded, and thinly sliced
- Salt to taste
- Steamed rice, quinoa, buckwheat, noodles, or other favorite grain (optional, for serving)
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for serving)
Method
Heat the oil in your wok over medium heat. Next, add the onions and tomato, and sauté for 2 minutes. Finally, add the curry paste and stir for another minute.
Pour in the coconut milk and water or stock, and bring the mixture to a boil. Pop in the tofu and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the snap peas and chopped pepper, and simmer for 3 more minutes. Check the seasonings and add salt if you wish before serving. If using rice or noodles, serve your Thai curry on the side to let everyone add what they like to their rice or noodles. Top with sprigs of fresh cilantro, if using.
There you have it, some delicious and quick wok meals that will impress everyone. Enjoy your easy wok recipes!
