This sausage stir fry features sweet chicken apple sausage, crisp-tender vegetables, and a simple homemade sauce. Ready in about 22 minutes, it’s a quick weeknight dinner that pairs perfectly with white rice or gluten-free noodles.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Stir Fry
If you enjoy fast, flavorful stir fries, this recipe is a standout. The sweet chicken apple sausage caramelizes as it browns, adding a pleasant sweetness that balances the savory, garlicky sauce. The vegetables stay lively and slightly crisp when cooked briefly over high heat, giving the dish great texture and color. It’s an easy, reliable dinner when you want something wholesome without a lot of fuss.
For more ideas in the same vein, try other quick stir-fry recipes like Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry, Pad Pak Vegetable Stir Fry, or Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry.
Mary’s Note: The contrast of sweet sausage and savory sauce is what makes this dish addictive. Browning the sausage well and keeping the vegetables slightly crisp are the keys to the best texture and flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil: for cooking and a touch of richness.
- Chicken apple sausages: use a sweet, juicy variety and slice into rounds.
- Red bell pepper: cut into 1-inch pieces for crunch and color.
- Red onion: chopped, will soften and add a mild sharpness.
- Zucchini: sliced into half-moons to soak up the sauce.
- Yellow squash: sliced similarly to zucchini for color variation.
- Mushrooms: sliced; they add an earthy depth.
Stir-Fry Sauce Ingredients
- Olive oil: helps the sauce coat the ingredients.
- Coconut aminos: a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Dijon mustard: adds tang and helps emulsify the sauce.
- Hot sauce: optional; adds mild heat.
- Garlic: minced for bold flavor.
- Onion powder: for extra savory depth.
- Salt & crushed red pepper: to taste.
- Arrowroot powder: a neutral thickener to give the sauce body.
How to Make Sausage Stir Fry
The method is straightforward: whisk the sauce, brown the sausage, sauté the vegetables until just tender-crisp, then combine everything and finish with the sauce. Use medium-high heat and work quickly to keep the vegetables crisp.
Step 1: Whisk all stir-fry sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage rounds and cook 3–5 minutes, turning until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet and add the bell pepper, onion, zucchini, yellow squash, and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened but still slightly crisp.
Step 4: Return the browned sausage to the skillet.
Step 5: Pour in the sauce and stir for 1–2 minutes over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens slightly and evenly coats the sausage and vegetables.
Step 6: Serve immediately over white rice or gluten-free noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.
Simple Tips for Great Results
- Don’t overcook the vegetables — aim for tender-crisp texture.
- Choose a juicy chicken apple sausage so it stays moist when seared.
- Whisk the sauce thoroughly so the arrowroot disperses and thickens evenly.
- Cook in a hot skillet and keep ingredients moving to develop color without steaming.
If you want a heartier meal, pair this stir fry with a side like steak fried rice or a simple salad. Leftover sausage also works well in a one-skillet kielbasa and cabbage dinner.
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat for best texture; add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
- Freezing is not ideal because the vegetables can become soft. If you do freeze it, expect a softer texture after thawing and reheating.
Recipe FAQs
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Stir a small amount of arrowroot powder into the sauce before adding it to the pan. It thickens quickly when heated.
What kind of sausage works best?
Chicken apple sausage is ideal for its sweet-savory profile and juiciness, but other flavorful sausages can work if you prefer.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes. Thaw and pat them dry first so they don’t release extra water into the pan and become soggy.
How do I keep the veggies crisp?
Cook over high heat, stir frequently, and remove them from the pan as soon as they reach the desired tenderness.
More Easy Asian-Inspired Dishes
- Easy Cucumber Carrot Salad
- Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice
- Pork Fried Cauliflower Rice
- Healthy Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl
Easy Chicken Apple Sausage Stir Fry Recipe
Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 12 mins | Total: 22 mins | Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients (summary)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 pack chicken apple sausages, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 small zucchini, cut into half-moons
- 1 small yellow squash, cut into half-moons
- 4 oz sliced mushrooms
Stir-Fry Sauce (summary)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder
Instructions (summary)
- Whisk sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Sear sausage in 1 tbsp oil until browned, 3–5 minutes; remove.
- Sauté vegetables in remaining oil 5–7 minutes until tender-crisp; season.
- Add sausage back to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the vegetables; aim for bright color and slight crunch.
- Use a high heat and a roomy skillet to get good browning.
- Nutrition values below are estimates and do not include white rice.
Nutrition (per serving, estimate)
Calories: 356 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 16 g | Fat: 27 g | Sodium: 1523 mg
All nutrition facts are estimates and depend on the specific ingredients you use. For precise values, weigh your ingredients and calculate based on your brands and portions.