Nitrate & Nitrite Free Salsa Verde Stir-Fry Sauce
Bright, tangy, and just a little smoky from the cumin, this salsa verde stir-fry sauce brings serious flavor to whatever you're cooking without relying on any of the cured or processed ingredients that typically sneak nitrates and nitrites into your meals. Tomatillos are the backbone here — simmered until soft and olive-drab, then blended smooth with jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a sauce that tastes genuinely vibrant and alive. A splash of tamari and a touch of maple syrup round out the savory-tart balance, while a simple cornstarch slurry gives it that glossy, clingy consistency that makes a great stir-fry sauce so satisfying to work with. The garlic-infused oil adds depth without any of the store-bought seasoning blends that can hide unwanted additives in the fine print. Everything in this sauce is whole, fresh, and straightforward — which means you can pour it over vegetables, noodles, or proteins with total confidence. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so making a batch ahead is absolutely worth it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the sauce
- 8 oz (about 5–6 medium) tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused oil
- ½ cup scallion greens, thinly sliced (green tops only)
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and roughly chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine salt, or to taste
For the slurry
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- 1
Place the tomatillos in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the tomatillos are fully softened, have turned from bright green to olive-drab, and are just beginning to split.
- 2
Drain the tomatillos and transfer them to a blender. Add the scallion greens, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, tamari, maple syrup, cumin, and salt. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.
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