11 Easy Stir Fries You Can Make With What You Already Have

When you are staring at a fridge full of odds and ends, stir fry night can save the day. You can toss in whatever you have, from a handful of greens to leftover chicken or shrimp. A quick sauce and a few minutes of cooking can turn those scraps into a real meal.

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Leftover Chicken and Mixed Veggie Garlic Soy Stir Fry

Tonight is all about turning leftover cooked chicken and whatever vegetables you have into a fast pan meal. This dish works because everything cooks quickly, and the sauce brings it together without extra fuss. Prep time is about 10 minutes, and cooking usually takes 8 to 10 minutes. Serve it over rice, noodles, or even lettuce cups if that is what you have.

For ingredients, use 2 cups cooked chicken, 3 cups mixed veggies, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high, then cook the garlic and ginger for 20 seconds. Add veggies and stir fry 3 to 5 minutes, then add chicken and cook 2 minutes. Stir in the sauces and water, cook 1 minute, and serve right away.

Shrimp and Snow Pea Lemon Pepper Stir Fry

A bright shrimp stir fry can clean out the fridge fast, especially when you have a small bag of shrimp and a handful of crisp vegetables. The idea is quick cooking, so the shrimp stay tender and the veggies stay snappy. Prep takes about 10 minutes, and cooking takes 6 to 8 minutes. It tastes great with rice, couscous, or toasted bread on the side.

Prepare 12 ounces of shrimp, peeled and deveined, 2 cups snow peas, 1 bell pepper sliced, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 quarter teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a skillet on medium-high and cook garlic for 20 seconds. Add peppers and snow peas for 2 to 3 minutes, then add shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes until pink. Finish with lemon juice and zest, toss, and serve.

Tofu and Mushrooms with Sesame Ginger Stir Fry

A tofu stir fry is a great way to use up mushrooms, greens, and any random vegetables that need attention. This dish is all about a savory sauce and a hot pan, so the tofu browns and the mushrooms get a little color. Prep is about 12 minutes, and cooking takes 10 to 12 minutes. It pairs nicely with rice, soba, or noodles.

Grab 14 ounces of firm tofu pressed and cubed, 3 cups sliced mushrooms, 2 cups spinach or chopped greens, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic minced, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Heat neutral oil on medium-high and brown tofu 6 to 8 minutes, turning several times. Add mushrooms and cook 3 minutes, then add greens and cook 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, honey, ginger, and garlic, then cook 1 minute and serve.

Ground Pork and Cabbage Skillet Stir Fry

Cabbage is one of the best fridge clean-out vegetables because it cooks fast and still keeps some bite. This stir fry is built around ground pork and shredded cabbage, plus any leftover carrots or onions you want to add. Prep takes about 10 minutes, and cooking takes 10 to 12 minutes. It is filling on its own or served over rice.

You need 1 pound of ground pork, 4 cups of shredded cabbage, 1 carrot sliced thin, 1 small onion sliced, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon of chili flakes optional, and 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. Heat oil on medium-high and cook pork 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up until browned. Add onion and carrot for 2 minutes, then add cabbage and cook 3 to 4 minutes until slightly wilted. Stir in sauces and water, cook 1 minute, and serve hot.

Leftover Rice Veggie Egg Stir Fry

Leftover rice is perfect for using up small amounts of vegetables, bits of meat, and a couple of eggs. This dish is all about high heat, quick stirring, and seasoning the rice so it tastes fresh again. Prep takes about 8 minutes, and cooking takes 8 to 10 minutes. It is a full meal in one pan and a great way to clear the crisper drawer.

Prepare 3 cups cooked cold rice, 2 eggs, 2 cups chopped mixed veggies, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 green onions sliced, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Heat oil on medium-high, scramble eggs quickly, then move them to a plate. Add veggies and cook 2 to 3 minutes, then add rice and stir-fry 3 minutes to break up clumps. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, add eggs back in, toss with green onions, and serve.

Coconut Curry Stir Fry with Leftover Veggies

Coconut curry is a great way to use up vegetables that do not match, like broccoli, bell pepper, carrots, and green beans. The sauce is rich, and it can make even a small amount of protein feel like a full meal. Prep takes about 12 minutes, and cooking takes 12 to 15 minutes. It is best served with rice, naan, or noodles.

Use 3 cups mixed veggies, 1 cup cooked chicken or tofu optional, 1 can coconut milk, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 cloves garlic minced, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Heat oil on medium, cook garlic 20 seconds, then add veggies and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, curry powder, soy sauce, and sugar, then simmer 6 to 8 minutes until veggies are tender. Add cooked chicken or tofu for 2 minutes if using, finish with lime juice, and serve.

Sausage and Pepper Onion Skillet Stir Fry

A pack of smoked sausage can pull together a fridge-clean-out dinner in one pan. This dish is all about browned slices, tender peppers, and onions that soak up the pan flavor. Prep takes about 10 minutes, and cooking takes 10 to 12 minutes. Serve it over rice, noodles, or with toasted rolls.

Use 12 to 14 ounces of smoked sausage, 1 bell pepper sliced, 1 green bell pepper sliced, 1 medium onion sliced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high, then cook sausage 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Add onion and peppers and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often. Stir in garlic for 20 seconds, then add soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and water, and cook 1 to 2 minutes until glossy.

Black Bean and Corn Taco Style Stir Fry

When you have a can of beans and a bag of frozen corn, dinner can come together fast. This stir fry uses pantry staples and any leftover peppers, onions, or greens you need to use up. Prep takes about 8 minutes, and cooking takes 10 to 12 minutes. Spoon it into tortillas, over rice, or into a bowl with chips.

Prepare 1 can black beans drained and rinsed, 1 and one-half cups corn frozen or canned, 1 bell pepper diced, 1 small onion diced, 1 tablespoon neutral oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 quarter teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Heat the oil on medium-high, then cook the onion and pepper for 4 minutes. Add corn and cook 2 minutes, then add beans, chili powder, cumin, and salt, and stir 2 minutes. Stir in salsa and lime juice, cook 1 minute, then serve with toppings like shredded cheese or chopped cilantro if you have them.

Beef and Broccoli Freezer-Friendly Stir Fry

Frozen broccoli and a small portion of beef can turn into a quick dinner with almost no planning. The goal is thin slices of beef and a glossy sauce, so it tastes like takeout without the extra steps. Prep takes about 12 minutes, and cooking usually takes 8 to 10 minutes. It works well with rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes.

Use 12 ounces of beef sliced thin, 3 cups of broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, 2 cloves of garlic minced, and 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. Mix soy sauce, cornstarch, water, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl. Heat oil on medium-high, cook beef 2 to 3 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the sauce and stir 1 to 2 minutes until thickened, then serve.

Ground Turkey and Zucchini Parmesan Skillet Stir Fry

A light meat and a couple of soft zucchini can turn into a weeknight stir fry that uses up odds and ends. This dish is savory and simple, with a tomato and herb vibe that works with whatever vegetables you need to use. Prep time is about 10 minutes, and cooking takes 12 to 14 minutes. It tastes great over pasta, rice, or on its own.

You need 1 pound ground turkey, 2 medium zucchini sliced into half moons, 1 cup of cherry tomatoes halved or 1 cup diced tomato, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 quarter teaspoon salt, 1 quarter teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat oil on medium-high, then cook the turkey 6 to 7 minutes, breaking it up until browned. Add zucchini and cook 4 minutes, stirring often. Add tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook 2 to 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Turn off the heat, stir in Parmesan, and serve.

Peanut Noodle Stir Fry with Any Veggies

Peanut noodles are a great solution when you have half a box of noodles and a mix of vegetables that need to be used. The sauce is creamy and strong enough to pull together mismatched ingredients like cabbage, carrots, peppers, or leftover chicken. Prep takes about 12 minutes, and cooking takes 8 to 10 minutes, plus noodle boiling time. It is tasty hot or warm, which makes leftovers easy.

You need 8 ounces of noodles, 3 cups of mixed veggies sliced, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of sriracha optional, 2 tablespoons of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. Cook noodles and drain, saving a splash of water. Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sriracha, and warm water until smooth. Stir fry veggies in oil for 4 to 5 minutes, add noodles and sauce, toss well, and loosen with a little noodle water if needed.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.