Japanese Zucchini Onion Stir Fry (Printable)

Tender zucchini and sweet onions in savory Japanese seasonings, ready in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
02 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Aromatics & Seasonings

04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
07 - 1 tbsp mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
08 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
09 - 1 tsp sugar

→ Cooking

10 - 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or vegetable)

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside until ready to use.
02 - Heat neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
03 - Add sliced onions to the hot pan. Stir fry for 2 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
04 - Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Add zucchini to the pan. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables. Toss to coat evenly. Stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce slightly thickens and vegetables appear glossy.
07 - Remove from heat immediately. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve as a side dish or over steamed rice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but fast.
  • The Japanese seasonings create layers of flavor—umami from soy sauce, subtle sweetness from mirin, and nutty warmth from sesame oil.
  • It's incredibly versatile and works as a side dish alongside grilled fish or as a satisfying vegetarian main over rice.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan—if your skillet is small, cook the vegetables in batches to ensure they stir-fry rather than steam.
  • Keep the vegetables moving constantly to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
  • The zucchini continues cooking after you add the sauce, so slightly undercook them in the previous step.
03 -
  • Preheat your pan thoroughly before adding oil—this prevents vegetables from sticking and ensures proper stir-fry cooking.
  • Cut all vegetables to similar thickness so they cook evenly and finish at the same time.

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