Pad Pak Ruam
Thai Mixed Vegetable Stir-fry
A quick and vibrant Thai mixed vegetable stir-fry, featuring seasonal vegetables cooked to crisp-tender perfection with fragrant garlic and a savory oyster sauce base. This dish is a healthy and versatile staple.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups Mixed seasonal vegetables(Choose a variety like broccoli florets, sliced carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, baby corn, mushrooms, and bok choy. Ensure they are cut into bite-sized, uniform pieces for even cooking.)
- 4 cloves Garlic(Minced or thinly sliced.)
- 2 tbsp Oyster sauce(Provides a rich umami flavor.)
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce(Low-sodium is recommended to control saltiness.)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(Or other high-heat cooking oil like peanut or canola oil.)
- 2 tbsp Water or vegetable broth(Optional, to help create a sauce and prevent sticking.)
- 1/2 tsp Sugar(Optional, to balance the savory flavors.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables and aromatics. Wash and chop all your chosen vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Mince or thinly slice the garlic. Have all ingredients measured and ready near your cooking station (mise en place).
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, optional water/broth, and optional sugar. Set aside.
⏱️ 1 minute - 3
Heat the wok or large skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the surface. Immediately add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Add the vegetables to the hot wok. Start with the denser vegetables that take longer to cook (e.g., broccoli stems, carrots) and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Then, add the quicker-cooking vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, snap peas, leafy greens like bok choy leaves) and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are vibrant in color and crisp-tender.
⏱️ 3-4 minutes - 5
Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables. Stir-fry quickly for another 30-60 seconds, tossing everything to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated and the sauce has slightly thickened. The vegetables should still retain a slight bite.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Remove from heat immediately and serve hot, typically with steamed jasmine rice.
⏱️ 30 seconds
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use a wok or a large, heavy-bottomed skillet for best results, as high heat is crucial for stir-frying.
- ✓Ensure your ingredients are prepped and ready before you start cooking, as the process is very fast.
- ✓Cook vegetables in stages based on their density and cooking time to achieve a perfect crisp-tender texture throughout.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to maintain high heat and prevent steaming.
- ✓The final dish should be vibrant, flavorful, and have vegetables that are still slightly crisp.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add protein: Incorporate pan-fried tofu cubes, sliced chicken, shrimp, or thinly sliced beef along with the vegetables.
- Spice it up: Add sliced chilies or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Different sauces: Experiment with adding a teaspoon of sesame oil at the end, or a splash of fish sauce for extra depth.