Weeknights can be a drag, and dinner shouldn’t make it worse. Stir fries are the answer when you’re short on time but still want something that tastes like you put in effort. These recipes are fast, loaded with flavor, and way better than anything sitting in a soggy takeout container. Whether you’re tossing noodles, veggies, or protein into the mix, these meals deliver big without making you work for it.
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Chewy udon noodles and a bold ginger-garlic sriracha sauce make this stir fry a knockout. Add ground beef and you’ve got a quick, flavor-packed dinner that’s faster than calling for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Sweet and Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
A quick pork ramen stir fry loaded with veggies and just the right balance of sweet and spicy. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s great for anyone looking to skip takeout without sacrificing flavor.
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Shaved Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Shaved beef cooks up lightning fast in this beef and broccoli stir fry. The sauce brings everything together in a way that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with takeout.
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Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ground beef, fresh veggies, and a garlicky ginger stir fry sauce come together in one pan. It’s healthy, quick, and perfect for making any weeknight less of a hassle.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms combine with an easy Asian-inspired sauce for a stir fry that’s ready in no time. Great for busy nights when you still want something fresh and homemade.
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Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet
Spicy buffalo sauce meets lean turkey and cauliflower in this simple skillet meal. With just four ingredients, it’s perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight fix.
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Steak Potato and Pepper Skillet
Steak, potatoes, and peppers come together in this one-pan wonder. Toss it in a skillet, bake, and enjoy an easy dinner that doesn’t need constant babysitting.
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Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Cashews and fresh basil bring big flavor to this quick chicken skillet. Toss it with a savory-sweet sauce, serve it over rice, and you’ve got a great one-pan meal in no time.
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Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Leftover turkey (or chicken) meets sweet potatoes, beans, and veggies for a quick skillet dinner. It’s nutritious, hearty, and on the table in under 30 minutes.
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Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Bite-sized chicken, mushrooms, onions, and peppers cook up fast in this skillet dinner. Fresh herbs pull it together for a meal that feels simple and great all at once.
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Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Sweet potatoes and ground beef come together with bold southwestern spices in this easy skillet dinner. Great for meal prep and even better as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet
Sweet mango and spicy jalapeños make this chicken skillet anything but boring. Serve it over rice and watch it disappear from plates in record time.
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Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage get a savory, aromatic sauce in this quick stir fry-inspired skillet. Packed with texture and flavor, it’s a great 30-minute dinner that’s anything but bland.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.