Mushroom Stir-Fry with Cilantro and Ponzu Glaze

Mushroom Stir-Fry with Cilantro and Ponzu Glaze

An earthy, vibrant, and deeply satisfying vegetarian stir-fry that lets mushrooms take center stage.

There’s a special kind of comfort in a skillet full of sizzling mushrooms. Their earthy aroma, the way they soak up flavors, and their meaty bite make them one of the most rewarding ingredients to cook with, especially when you’re craving something hearty, but plant based. This mushroom stir-fry is a wonderful example of how simple, store-bought ingredients can come together to create a dish that feels both wholesome and gourmet.

Mushrooms have long been a staple in my kitchen. They’re rich in nutrients, low in calories, and packed with antioxidants, plus, they lend a beautiful umami depth to almost anything they touch. In this stir-fry, I used a mix of king oyster mushrooms, brown beech mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms to create a variety of textures and flavors. Each type brings something unique; the king oyster mushrooms add substance, the beech mushrooms offer a delicate chew, and the shiitakes bring that classic woodsy flavor that defines so many Asian inspired dishes.

The best part? This recipe comes together easily with ingredients you can find at most grocery stores. I purchased my mushrooms from Trader Joe's while on a visit to see my daughter in Austin, at very affordable prices mind you. I was actually shocked by their price, almost half of the cost of the other grocery stores in my area. You can substitute any mushrooms that you have for the mushrooms in this dish, with that said, try to combine several different varieties of mushrooms to achieve a certain depth of flavor and texture that this recipe provides. This dish is colorful, fragrant, and versatile, perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep for the week ahead.

Ingredients

For the stir-fry:

• 12 oz king oyster mushrooms, sliced

• 7 oz organic brown beech mushrooms

• 8 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 2 bunches (about 8 stalks) green onions, chopped

• 5 oz carrot sticks

• 5 oz snow peas

• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (for topping)

• Steamed rice, for serving

For the sauce:

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp sesame oil

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp Chinese five spice

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp chili flakes, adjust to taste

• 2 tbsp ponzu sauce

• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce

• 2 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 heaping tsp fried chili in oil

• Salt to taste (about 1/8-1/4 tsp)

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables. Slice the mushrooms, bell pepper, and green onions. Rinse the snow peas and carrots. Keep everything ready, this dish cooks quickly once the skillet is hot.

2. Mix the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, sesame oil, honey, Chinese five spice, ginger, garlic powder, pepper, chili flakes, ponzu, hoisin, rice vinegar, fried chili in oil, and salt. Set aside.

3. Stir-fry the vegetables. In a large skillet or wok, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper, green onions, carrots, and snow peas. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, just until they begin to soften.

4. Add the mushrooms. Add all the mushrooms to the pan and continue to stir-fry until they start to release their moisture and soften, about 5-7 minutes.

5. Add the sauce. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss to coat. Continue cooking for several minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the vegetables.

6. Finish and serve. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve immediately over steamed rice and top with additional cilantro if desired.

This Mushroom Stir-Fry with Cilantro and Ponzu Glaze is hearty enough to serve as a main course, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled tofu, pan-fried noodles, or as a side alongside teriyaki chicken or salmon. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less, fried chili in oil or chili flakes.

The mushrooms provide that satisfying bite that replaces meat so effortlessly, while the ponzu-honey glaze gives the dish a balance of savory, sweet, and heat.

Simple ingredients. Big flavor. And the kind of weeknight dinner that reminds you that home cooking doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be full of heart...and a little umami.

As always, happy cooking!

Jennifer