Meals

Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Stir Fry 🥦🫑🌭

This Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Stir Fry is a quick, colorful, and satisfying skillet dinner made with smoky sausage, crisp-tender vegetables, garlic, and a savory homemade stir-fry sauce. Everything comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights.

Serve it over fluffy rice, noodles, or enjoy it straight from the skillet for a simple family dinner packed with flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 30 minutes
  • Easy one-pan dinner
  • Packed with colorful vegetables
  • Budget-friendly ingredients
  • Great for busy weeknights
  • Easy to customize
  • Excellent for meal prep
  • Delicious served with rice or noodles
  • Uses simple pantry staples

Ingredients

For the Stir Fry

  • 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds, optional

For the Stir-Fry Sauce

  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

How to Make Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Stir Fry

Step 1: Make the Stir-Fry Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together:

  • Soy sauce
  • Chicken broth
  • Honey
  • Brown sugar
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes, if using

Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

Set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Smoked Sausage

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the sliced smoked sausage in a single layer.

Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until the edges are nicely browned.

Transfer the sausage to a plate.

Step 3: Cook the Firm Vegetables

Add the oil to the same skillet.

Add the broccoli and carrots first.

Stir-fry for approximately 3 minutes.

These vegetables take slightly longer to cook than the others.

Step 4: Add the Remaining Vegetables

Add:

  • Bell peppers
  • Onion
  • Zucchini

Continue stir-frying for another 3–4 minutes.

The vegetables should be tender but still have a little crunch.

Step 5: Add Garlic and Ginger

Add the minced garlic and grated ginger.

Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

The mixture should become fragrant.

Step 6: Return the Sausage

Return the browned smoked sausage to the skillet.

Toss everything together.

Step 7: Add the Sauce

Give the prepared sauce another quick whisk because the cornstarch may settle.

Pour it over the sausage and vegetables.

Toss everything until evenly coated.

Step 8: Thicken the Sauce

Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.

The sauce should become glossy and lightly thicken around the sausage and vegetables.

If it becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Remove from the heat.

Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Tips for the Best Sausage Stir Fry

Brown the Sausage First

Browning creates caramelized edges and adds more flavor to the entire skillet.

Don’t Overcook the Vegetables

The best stir fry has vegetables that are tender but still slightly crisp.

Cut Everything Before Cooking

Stir-frying moves quickly. Have your sausage, vegetables, and sauce prepared before heating the skillet.

Cook Vegetables in Stages

Carrots and broccoli take longer than zucchini and peppers, so adding them first prevents the softer vegetables from becoming mushy.

Use a Large Skillet

A wide skillet allows the ingredients to brown instead of steaming.

Best Smoked Sausage to Use

You can use your favorite fully cooked smoked sausage.

Good choices include:

  • Beef smoked sausage
  • Turkey smoked sausage
  • Chicken sausage
  • Garlic sausage
  • Mild smoked sausage

Choose a sausage whose seasoning complements the sweet and savory stir-fry sauce.

Easy Variations

Smoked Sausage and Broccoli Stir Fry

Keep it simple with sausage, broccoli, onions, and sauce.

Sausage Pepper Stir Fry

Use red, yellow, and green peppers with sliced onions for a colorful skillet.

Pineapple Sausage Stir Fry

Add 1 cup pineapple chunks near the end for a sweet-and-savory variation.

Spicy Sausage Stir Fry

Add sliced jalapeños, extra red pepper flakes, or chili sauce.

Teriyaki Sausage Stir Fry

Use a thick teriyaki-style sauce instead of the homemade stir-fry sauce.

Sausage and Cabbage Stir Fry

Replace some of the vegetables with thinly sliced green cabbage.

Best Vegetables for Stir Fry

This recipe is very flexible. Try using:

  • Broccoli
  • Bell peppers
  • Carrots
  • Zucchini
  • Mushrooms
  • Snow peas
  • Snap peas
  • Green beans
  • Cabbage
  • Baby corn
  • Bok choy
  • Yellow squash
  • Onions

It’s also a great recipe for using vegetables already sitting in your refrigerator.

What to Serve with Smoked Sausage Stir Fry

White Rice

Fluffy long-grain or jasmine rice is one of the easiest options.

Brown Rice

A hearty alternative that pairs well with the savory sauce.

Noodles

Serve the sausage and vegetables over ramen, lo mein-style noodles, or another favorite noodle.

Cauliflower Rice

A vegetable-based alternative to traditional rice.

Fried Rice

Turn leftovers into an even heartier dinner by serving them with fried rice.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare most of this recipe ahead.

Slice the sausage and vegetables and refrigerate them separately.

Whisk together the sauce and store it covered in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to cook, the entire stir fry can be finished in about 15–20 minutes.

Meal Prep

Divide cooked rice between meal-prep containers.

Top each portion with smoked sausage, vegetables, and sauce.

Allow everything to cool before covering and refrigerating.

This makes an easy grab-and-reheat lunch for the next few days.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Keep cooked rice separately if possible for the best texture.

Reheating

Skillet

Add leftovers to a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of water or broth.

Cook until thoroughly heated.

Microwave

Heat individual portions in short intervals, stirring between each interval until hot throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is smoked sausage already cooked?

Many packaged smoked sausages are fully cooked, but check the package label. This recipe assumes you’re using fully cooked sausage.

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Yes. Frozen stir-fry vegetables are a convenient shortcut. Cook away excess moisture before adding the sauce.

Can I use chicken sausage?

Absolutely. Chicken or turkey sausage works well.

Can I make this without soy sauce?

You can use an appropriate soy-sauce alternative, but the flavor and salt level may vary, so adjust the seasoning to taste.

Why is my stir fry watery?

The skillet may have been overcrowded, or the vegetables released too much moisture. Cook over medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Allow it to simmer briefly. The cornstarch will thicken the sauce as it heats.

What if the sauce becomes too thick?

Add water or broth a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Can I add rice directly to the skillet?

Yes. Add cooked rice after the sauce has thickened and toss everything together for an easy sausage fried-rice-inspired meal.

Can I make this spicy?

Yes. Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or your favorite chili sauce.

Can I use zucchini?

Yes. Add zucchini toward the end because it cooks quickly and releases moisture.

Can I add pineapple?

Definitely. Pineapple works especially well with smoked sausage and the sweet-savory sauce.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but cook the sausage and vegetables in batches. Overcrowding makes it difficult to get nicely browned ingredients.

Pro Tips

  • Slice the sausage evenly so every piece browns at the same rate.
  • Let the sausage sit against the hot skillet briefly instead of constantly stirring it.
  • Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
  • Cook harder vegetables first.
  • Add zucchini near the end.
  • Keep the skillet hot to avoid steaming the vegetables.
  • Whisk the sauce immediately before adding it.
  • Add garlic and ginger late so they don’t burn.
  • Garnish with green onions just before serving.
  • Prepare rice while cooking the stir fry so everything is ready at the same time.

Final Thoughts

This Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Stir Fry is an easy way to turn smoked sausage and everyday vegetables into a colorful family dinner. The browned sausage brings plenty of smoky flavor, while broccoli, peppers, carrots, and zucchini add freshness and texture. A simple sweet-and-savory sauce ties everything together.

Serve it over rice for a filling weeknight meal, pair it with noodles, or change the vegetables based on what you already have in the refrigerator. With one skillet and about 30 minutes, it’s a practical recipe worth adding to your regular dinner rotation.

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