Easy Homemade Chop Suey Recipe – Authentic, Quick, and Delicious Stir-Fry

Chop suey is one of the most well-loved stir-fry dishes across the world. Known for its medley of crisp vegetables, tender protein, and flavorful sauce, it is both comforting and incredibly versatile. This dish has roots in Chinese-American cooking but has spread globally, adapted into countless versions that reflect local tastes and ingredients.

The beauty of chop suey lies in its adaptability. You can create it from whatever vegetables and proteins you have on hand, making it both practical and economical. Whether you prefer chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu, chop suey works beautifully with all of them. Add a savory, glossy sauce, and you have a restaurant-quality dish ready in under 30 minutes.

In this article, you will discover what chop suey truly is, the main ingredients and their roles, a step-by-step guide to preparing it, variations to try, serving ideas, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for making it perfect every time.

Also Read: Silken Tofu Recipe

What is Chop Suey?

The name “chop suey” translates roughly to “assorted mix” or “odds and ends.” At its core, it is not a single fixed recipe but a technique of stir-frying proteins and vegetables in a savory sauce. While often associated with Chinese-American cuisine, chop suey is more about creativity than authenticity.

What sets chop suey apart from other stir-fries is its use of varied vegetables and the slightly thickened sauce that coats everything evenly. The dish is quick to prepare yet full of flavor and nutrition. It’s popular not only in the United States but also in the Philippines, where Filipino-style chop suey has become a household staple.

Main Ingredients of Chop Suey

To master chop suey, it is important to understand the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Protein

The protein is the heart of chop suey. You can use:

• Chicken (breast or thigh, thinly sliced) for a lean, mild flavor.
• Pork (loin or shoulder) for a slightly richer taste.
• Beef (flank steak or sirloin, sliced across the grain) for tenderness.
• Shrimp for a light, delicate seafood version.
• Tofu for vegetarian or vegan chop suey.

Proteins are usually marinated briefly with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of oil. This ensures they stay tender and absorb flavor while developing a glossy finish in the wok.

2. Vegetables

Vegetables bring freshness, crunch, and vibrant color. The most common ones are:

• Cabbage or Napa cabbage for volume and soft texture.
• Carrots for sweetness and crunch.
• Celery for crispness and aroma.
• Bell peppers for color and slight sweetness.
• Bean sprouts for freshness and lightness.
• Snow peas or snap peas for a juicy, crisp bite.
• Water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for unique crunch.

Uniform slicing is key. This ensures quick, even cooking and the perfect crisp-tender texture.

3. Aromatics

No stir-fry is complete without aromatics. Chop suey typically includes:

• Garlic for depth and fragrance.
• Ginger for warmth and freshness.
• Scallions (green onions) for layered flavor, both cooked and raw.

4. Sauce

The sauce ties everything together. A classic chop suey sauce contains:

• Soy sauce (light and dark) for savory umami and color.
• Oyster sauce for richness.
• Stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable) for body.
• Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch dissolved in water) for thickening.
• Sugar for balance.

5. Oil and Seasonings

• Neutral oil (like peanut, canola, or vegetable oil) for high-heat cooking.
• Toasted sesame oil (used sparingly at the end) for aroma.
• Rice wine or Shaoxing wine for depth.
• Salt and pepper for seasoning.

Step-by-Step Preparation of Chop Suey

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Before you start cooking, prep everything. Slice protein thinly, chop vegetables uniformly, and mix your sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Having everything ready ensures smooth cooking since stir-frying moves fast.

Step 2: Marinate Protein

Lightly marinate meat, shrimp, or tofu with soy sauce, a little oil, and cornstarch. This helps with tenderness, flavor, and the silky coating often found in restaurant stir-fries.

Step 3: Heat the Wok

Use a wok or large skillet. Heat until very hot, then add neutral oil. A hot pan ensures quick searing and prevents sogginess.

Step 4: Cook Protein

Add the protein in a single layer. Sear until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Cook Aromatics and Firm Vegetables

Add garlic, ginger, and scallion whites. Stir quickly, then add carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Stir-fry until they begin to soften but still remain crisp.

Step 6: Add Quick-Cooking Vegetables

Add bean sprouts, cabbage, and snow peas. These cook in under a minute and should stay bright and crunchy.

Step 7: Combine with Sauce and Protein

Return the protein to the wok. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir until glossy and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Drizzle a few drops of sesame oil and toss in scallion greens. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Variations of Chop Suey

1. Classic Pork Chop Suey

This version uses thinly sliced pork loin with cabbage, carrots, and water chestnuts. The pork is marinated briefly, seared, and combined with crisp vegetables in a savory soy-oyster sauce. The flavor is rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

To make it extra flavorful, add a dash of dark soy sauce for color and toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Serve with jasmine rice for a complete, comforting meal.

2. Chicken and Broccoli Chop Suey

Chicken pairs wonderfully with broccoli’s bright, crisp texture. Marinate chicken strips in soy and cornstarch, then stir-fry with garlic, ginger, and broccoli florets. Add bell peppers for color and sweetness.

The result is a lighter dish, perfect for health-conscious eaters. Serve with brown rice or whole-grain noodles for added nutrition.

3. Shrimp and Snow Pea Chop Suey

Shrimp cooks in minutes, making this version quick and elegant. Snow peas add crunch and color, while the sauce stays light to highlight the shrimp’s delicate flavor.

A squeeze of lime juice at the end brightens the dish beautifully. Serve with white rice for a seafood-inspired chop suey that feels restaurant-worthy.

4. Vegetarian Tofu Chop Suey

Firm tofu makes an excellent plant-based protein. Press the tofu, cut into cubes, and pan-fry until golden. Toss with cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and bean sprouts.

Use vegetable stock and tamari for the sauce to make it vegan and gluten-free. This version is filling, colorful, and nutrient-packed.

5. Filipino-Style Chop Suey

Popular in the Philippines, this variation often combines pork, chicken, and hotdogs with cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots. The sauce is slightly sweeter, sometimes with a splash of calamansi juice for tang.

It’s a festive, hearty version often served at gatherings, paired with garlic fried rice.

6. Healthy Low-Sodium Chop Suey

For a lighter option, use lean proteins like chicken breast or shrimp, reduce soy sauce with a low-sodium alternative, and load up on vegetables. Serve with quinoa or brown rice.

Season with citrus zest, fresh herbs, and chili for brightness without extra salt. This variation is ideal for meal-prep or health-focused diets.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcrowding the pan – causes steaming instead of searing. Cook in batches if needed.
2. Overcooking vegetables – they should stay crisp-tender, not limp.
3. Skipping marinade – even a short marination improves protein texture.
4. Wrong oil – avoid olive oil; use high-smoke-point oils.
5. Adding cornstarch directly – always dissolve in cold water first to avoid clumps.

Adjusting Cooking and Sauce Thickness

• For more sauce: Add extra stock before thickening.
• For thicker sauce: Use more cornstarch slurry.
• For lighter flavor: Reduce oyster sauce and increase soy.
• For brightness: Add rice vinegar or citrus at the end.

Serving and Pairing Ideas

• With rice: Classic steamed jasmine or brown rice.
• With noodles: Egg noodles, rice noodles, or lo mein-style.
• With drinks: Green tea, jasmine tea, or a light lager complement the flavors.
• For plating: Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or cilantro for a restaurant-style presentation.

Conclusion: Why You Should Master Chop Suey

Chop suey is more than just a stir-fry—it’s a versatile, resourceful dish that can adapt to your pantry, diet, and cravings. From classic pork versions to shrimp, tofu, or Filipino-style celebrations, chop suey offers endless possibilities.

By mastering the simple steps—marinating, stir-frying with high heat, balancing the sauce—you can create a dish that’s quick, healthy, and deeply satisfying. Chop suey deserves a place in your weekly rotation, whether for family dinners, gatherings, or meal-prep. Once you make it, you’ll understand why it has remained a beloved staple across cultures and generations.