Healthy Easy Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry (Printable)

Spiralized zucchini noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce with fresh vegetables for a light, healthy dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized (about 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

# Steps:

01 - Spiralize zucchinis and carrots. Slice bell pepper thinly, halve snap peas, and slice green onions. Chop cilantro and set all 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 one tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Heat 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 hot skillet. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
05 - Add spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss gently for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. Avoid overcooking to prevent noodles from becoming soggy.
06 - Pour prepared peanut sauce over all vegetables and toss to coat evenly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until all ingredients are warmed through.
07 - Remove from heat and transfer to serving plates. Garnish immediately with chopped peanuts, green onions, and cilantro. Serve at once.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, and tastes like you actually spent time cooking.
  • The peanut sauce is so silky and craveable that even people skeptical about zucchini noodles become believers.
  • You get a full meal on one plate without feeling like you're eating "diet food."
02 -
  • Zucchini noodles release water the longer they sit, so make this dish to order—it's not a great leftover unless you like something closer to zucchini soup.
  • The difference between a silky sauce and a gloppy one is water added gradually; don't dump it all in at once or you'll overshoot and have to rescue it with more peanut butter.
03 -
  • Spiralize your zucchini right before cooking—don't do it hours ahead or they'll release water and turn into mush when you cook them.
  • Keep the heat at medium-high and don't walk away; the whole thing cooks in under 10 minutes and you want to be there for it to catch it at the exact moment everything is perfect.
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