Craving a dinner that’s faster, fresher, and more flavorful than takeout? This Potsticker Stir Fry is your answer. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a sizzling, savory meal on the table, complete with perfectly crisped potstickers, vibrant vegetables, and a homemade sauce that ties it all together. Forget waiting for delivery—this easy, one-pan wonder is about to become your new weeknight favorite.
Why This Potsticker Stir Fry is a Weeknight Winner
This isn’t just another stir fry recipe; it’s a complete meal solution designed for busy people who love good food. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again:
- One-Pan Magic: Everything cooks in a single skillet or wok, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
- Ready in a Flash: From prep to plate, this entire dish is ready in under 30 minutes.
- Completely Customizable: Easily swap in your favorite vegetables or add extra protein. It’s a perfect “clean out the fridge” meal.
- Incredible Flavor: The homemade stir fry sauce is a simple yet powerful combination of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that blows store-bought versions out of the water.
The Key Ingredients for Your Stir Fry
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Here are the core components you’ll need.
For the Stir Fry
- Frozen Potstickers: The star of the show! Any variety works—pork, chicken, or vegetable. No need to thaw them first.
- Avocado Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying. Vegetable or canola oil also work well.
- Fresh Vegetables: I’m using a vibrant mix of broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, and shredded carrots.
- Aromatics: Freshly minced garlic and grated ginger are non-negotiable for that authentic, fragrant stir fry base.
- Garnish: Sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds add a fresh, finishing touch.
For the Ultimate Stir Fry Sauce
- Soy Sauce: The savory, umami-rich backbone of the sauce. Use low-sodium to better control the saltiness.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle, tangy brightness that cuts through the richness.
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil provides a deep, nutty aroma and flavor.
- Honey: For a touch of sweetness to balance the salty and tangy elements. Maple syrup is a great substitute.
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to a glossy sauce that perfectly coats every ingredient.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Potsticker Stir Fry
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious dumpling stir fry dinner. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and cornstarch. Set it aside for later. This ensures the cornstarch dissolves completely, preventing lumps in your final sauce.
Step 2: Cook the Potstickers
Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Place the frozen potstickers in a single layer and pan-fry for 2-3 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp. Add two tablespoons of water to the pan and immediately cover with a lid. Let the potstickers steam for 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Add a little more oil to the same skillet if needed. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Next, add the sliced bell peppers and shredded carrots, continuing to stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Combine Everything and Serve
Return the cooked potstickers to the skillet with the vegetables. Give the sauce a quick re-whisk and pour it over everything. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients beautifully. Remove from the heat, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Stir Fry
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a large skillet or wok to ensure the ingredients stir-fry rather than steam. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Prep in Advance: Stir-frying is a fast process. Have all your vegetables chopped, aromatics minced, and sauce mixed before you turn on the heat.
- Achieve the Perfect Crisp: Don’t skip the initial pan-frying step for the potstickers. It creates that irresistible golden-brown crust that provides a wonderful texture contrast.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Potsticker Stir Fry is a fantastic base for experimentation. Try these popular variations:
- Add Protein: Stir-fry some sliced chicken, shrimp, or beef before you cook the vegetables.
- Switch Up the Veggies: Snow peas, mushrooms, baby corn, or bok choy would all be excellent additions.
- Make it Spicy: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick of heat.
- Low-Carb Option: For a keto-friendly twist, check out this amazing Keto Korean Beef recipe for inspiration on flavor profiles.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. The potstickers will soften upon storing but will still be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! For the best results, pan-fry the frozen potstickers first to get the bottoms crispy, then add a little water and steam them until cooked through. After that, you can add them to the stir fry at the end.
No, you do not need to thaw them. This recipe is designed to be cooked directly from frozen, which saves time and helps the potstickers maintain their shape.
A great basic stir fry sauce combines four key elements: something salty (soy sauce), something tangy (rice vinegar), something sweet (honey or maple syrup), and something aromatic (toasted sesame oil). A thickener like cornstarch gives it that perfect, glossy consistency.
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but if you’d like to stretch it further, it’s wonderful served over a bed of steamed rice or alongside cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, and bok choy are all excellent choices. The key is to use vegetables that cook relatively quickly and can stand up to the high heat of stir-frying.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this quick and easy dinner, you’ll love these other popular recipes. This Easy Chicken Fried Rice (coming soon) is another one-pan classic perfect for weeknights. For a meal with bold, delicious flavors, try these Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls. And for a vegetarian option that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this Bang Bang Cauliflower (coming soon) is a must-try.
Your New Favorite Potsticker Stir Fry
This simple Potsticker Stir Fry recipe is proof that you don’t need a lot of time to create a spectacular meal. It’s packed with flavor, texture, and wholesome ingredients. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share it on Pinterest!
Potsticker Stir Fry Recipe
Potsticker Stir Fry (Quick & Easy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Cook the Potstickers: Heat 1 tbsp of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place frozen potstickers in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes until bottoms are golden brown. Add 2 tbsp of water, cover, and steam for 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the skillet. Add broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add bell pepper and carrots, and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and Serve: Return the potstickers to the skillet. Re-whisk the sauce and pour it over the stir fry. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Have all ingredients prepped before starting, as stir-frying is a quick cooking process.
You can easily substitute vegetables like snow peas, bok choy, or mushrooms.
