Healthy Easy Zucchini Stir-Fry (Print-Friendly)

Vibrant spiralized zucchini with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce for a quick, nutritious meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized (approximately 6 cups)
02 - 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 large carrot, julienned or spiralized
04 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed and halved
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Peanut Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
08 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
12 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
15 - 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water
16 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
18 - Additional cilantro or green onions for serving

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Spiralize zucchinis and carrots. Slice bell pepper thinly, trim and halve snap peas, and slice green onions. Chop cilantro and set all prepared vegetables aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Start with 2 tablespoons warm water and add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Place a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a splash of sesame oil if desired for enhanced flavor.
04 - Add bell pepper, carrot, and snap peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
05 - Add spiralized zucchini noodles and toss gently for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. Avoid overcooking to maintain firm texture and prevent excess moisture.
06 - Pour prepared peanut sauce over vegetables and noodles. Toss continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until evenly coated and warmed through.
07 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, green onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve without delay.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most takeout orders, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • The zucchini noodles are tender without being mushy if you time it right, and they soak up every drop of that incredible peanut sauce.
02 -
  • Zucchini releases water as it sits, so this dish is best eaten right away; leftovers get soggy quickly even when stored properly.
  • Don't skip the warm water when making the sauce; adding it gradually gives you control over the consistency and prevents the peanut butter from getting lumpy.
03 -
  • Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge; having it ready means dinner is literally just five minutes of chopping and cooking.
  • If your zucchini noodles seem watery after spiralizing, pat them gently with paper towels before cooking to prevent a watery final dish.
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