16 Quick Stir-Fries to Liven Up Your Dinner Routine

[Photograph: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

The leaves, they are a-changin'.

The summer-to-fall transition means many things to many people. If you're a parent, it means the return of school and the mad dash to all manner of activities afterwards. If you're a student, it means pulling all-nighters and making the most efficient use of your meal plan. If you're just a regular ol' working adult, it means that the nights of patio happy hours and grill-outs are almost behind you (*tear*), and it's finally becoming cool enough to use the stove again.

No matter what walk of life you come from or what changes are coming your way in the fall, stir fries are here for you. They're endlessly customizable with whatever combination of vegetables, protein, and/or starch suits your fancy (or that's been languishing in your crisper drawer). Most go from fridge to table in under 30 minutes (some in this roundup come together in ten!). The only "techniques" necessary are chopping things into bite-sized pieces (strips work better than chunks where meat is concerned for quick-cooking ease), getting your skillet or wok as ripping hot as possible, and working in batches to maximize the smoky wok hei that's the hallmark of a good stir-fry. Need a confidence boost? Check out our Wok Skills 101 and our tips for how to marinate meat for stir fries.

A meal that's fast, easy, healthy, low-maintenance, and huge on flavor? Sounds pretty perfect to me. Fire up your woks and get frying!

Chicken, Beef, and Pork

Kung Pao chicken, better than your local takeout joint. [Photograph: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

• Stir-Fried Chicken With Mushrooms and Oyster Sauce
• Takeout-Style Kung Pao Chicken (Diced Chicken With Peppers and Peanuts)
• Kimchi Chicken and Cabbage Stir-Fry
• Stir-Fried Sweet and Sour Pork
• Stir-Fried Sliced Pork With Yellow Chives
• Stir-Fried Beef with Snap Peas and Oyster Sauce
• Stir-Fried Beef With Kale and Frisée in Black Bean Sauce
• Spicy Stir-Fried Beef With Leeks and Onions

Seafood

Stir-fried shrimp with eggs and Chinese chives. [Photograph: Shao Z.]

• Stir-Fried Cod With Yellow Squash and Asparagus
• Stir-Fried Shrimp With Eggs and Chinese Chives
• Stir-Fried Snap Peas and Mushrooms with Fish Sauce and Basil

Vegetarian

Stir-fried lo mein with charred cabbage, shiitake, and chives. [Photograph: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

• Stir-Fried Choy Sum With Minced Garlic
• Stir-Fried Lo Mein With Charred Cabbage, Shiitake, and Chives
• Stir-Fried Chow Mein With Four Vegetables
• Vegan Crispy Stir-Fried Tofu With Broccoli
• Cauliflower Stir-Fried With Fermented Bean Curd