Japanese Zucchini and Onions

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this simple yet flavorful recipe for Japanese Zucchini and Onions, a quick stir-fry that pairs tender-crisp zucchini and sweet onions with the umami-rich combination of soy sauce, mirin, garlic, and ginger. Finished with a drizzle of fragrant sesame oil and a sprinkle of nutty sesame seeds, this vibrant vegetable side is ready in under 20 minutes and makes for a perfect complement to grilled meats, rice bowls, or noodles. The optional garnish of fresh scallions adds a burst of color and brightness, making this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious. Whether you're looking for a light and healthy side dish or a vegetarian main, this recipe is a must-try for fans of Japanese-inspired cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:8 mins

Total Time:18 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 2 stalks scallions (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the zucchini and trim off the ends. Cut them lengthwise into quarters, then slice them into 1/4-inch thick pieces.

Step 2

Peel the onion and cut it in half, then slice it into thin, half-moon strips.

Step 3

Mince the garlic and grate the ginger using a microplane or fine grater.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce and mirin. Set the sauce aside.

Step 5

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 6

Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and become translucent.

Step 7

Add the zucchini to the skillet. Continue to stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the zucchini is tender but still slightly crisp.

Step 8

Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the center. Drizzle the sesame oil over the garlic and ginger, then stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 9

Pour the soy sauce and mirin mixture over the vegetables. Toss everything together to coat the zucchini and onions evenly in the sauce.

Step 10

Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the dish and give it a final stir.

Step 11

Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped scallions, if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	657.7 grams (657.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	522

Total Fat 30.10g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.40g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4893mg	213%
Total Carbohydrate 56.50g	21%
Dietary Fiber 7.30g	26%
Total Sugars 41.30g
Protein 10.10g	20%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 127mg	10%
Iron 3mg	14%
Potassium 1289mg	27%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.4%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 42.1%