7 Quick Dinner Ideas Made In A Wok

7 Wok Made Dinner Ideas

It’s surprising that not many people own woks or use them regularly considering they make cooking so much easier and hassle-free. While large frying pans can do a similar job, they are far from the same. Due to the larger surface area and curved sides of a wok, it’s easier to cook larger quantities than with a traditional frying pan. Woks also make it easy to toss food while cooking which is an essential way to coat food in seasoned oil, herbs, and spices, giving you a delicious, flavor-packed meal every time you use it. Today we’ll go over 7 wok made dinners that you can make in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re cooking for one or the whole family, these dishes promise home-cooking like you’ve never had before.

1. Egg Fried Rice

This classic recipe is ideal as a base for stir fry or as a stand-alone side. Simply heat oil on a low heat before adding 2-3 beaten eggs (for 4 portions). Allow the egg to sit for around 2 minutes before gently swirling it around the wok then scramble it lightly with a wooden spatula. When lightly cooked, transfer it to another dish while you cook onions, garlic, ginger, or any other veg or seasonings. After the veg has cooked, remove rice from the rice cooker, add it and stir thoroughly to separate the rice grains and mix the ingredients. Lastly, add the scrambled eggs then season with salt, pepper, sesame oil, and soy sauce. For an extra special finish, garnish the plated fried rice with freshly chopped scallions for some crunchy umami goodness.

2. Shrimp Or Pork Fried Rice

If you want delicious egg fried rice with a little more substance (protein) then here’s an easy way to make it. Heat oil in a wok on medium to high heat before adding shrimp, pork, or another protein source (tofu makes a good veggie/vegan alternative!). Stir fry the protein until cooked through then remove on to a separate dish. Then simply follow the egg fried rice recipe above, adding the protein just before you season the dish at the end.

3. Spicy Mushroom Salad

Spicy mushroom salad using your salad spinner is a simple yet delicious side or main meal that’s completely (accidentally) vegan too. Simply add sugar, dried chili powder, lime, mint, and coriander to sliced mushrooms in a wok on high heat for a few minutes. Easy!

4. Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir fry is possibly one of the easiest recipes to make in a wok. Simply heat cooking oil on high heat and add all the veggies you’d like. For a classic selection, choose tenderstem broccoli, red onion, bean sprouts, green peas, and thinly sliced bell peppers. Toss the veg in hot oil for a few minutes before stirring in soy sauce then cook for a further 2 minutes. Plate up and serve instantly as a delicious main or as a side with fried rice.

5. Chicken Or Pork Stir Fry

While adding chicken or pork to a stir fry requires just one additional step in the cooking process, it’s the preparation that matters most. In order to get the delicious flavor from the meat, it needs to be seasoned and marinated for at least an hour but ideally overnight. Thinly slice the meat into strips before covering each side with a pinch of salt and pepper. In a mixing bowl, mix rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, a ¼ cup of water, and cornstarch. Either in the bowl or a larger tub, coat the meat in the mixture and leave to rest for 1 to 24 hours. When it comes to cooking, simply add the meat to the wok with oil on high heat and cook thoroughly. Remove the meat, leaving the juices in the wok, and add the veg. Then simply add the meat back to the wok for a few minutes to warm up when the veg is cooked.

6. Chicken Pad Tai

Another simple yet flavorful recipe is chicken pad tai. It follows the same method as fried rice with rice noodles replacing rice. It also uses lime juice, fish sauce, sesame oil, and sugar for a zingy umami dressing. When plating, garnish with coriander, scallions, and sprinkle with peanuts.

7. Black Bean Beef with Noodles

This staple dish is as delicious as it is simple! Add oil to a wok on high heat until it starts smoking then add chilies, ginger, and garlic before adding sliced beef. Stir fry the ingredients for 2 minutes and keep stirring until the beef starts to brown, at which point, add a splash of rice wine. Next, add sliced bell peppers and cook for another minute. Lastly, add your favorite type of cooked noodles and black bean sauce. Serve immediately with a garnish of scallions or finely slice salad onion.

Now you know 7 easy yet totally tasty dishes to cook in your wok which can all be made in less than 30 minutes, making them perfect for midweek meals.