Whether it's chicken, pork, or beef, this marinade is my go-to recipe when I want to cook a quick stir-fry dinner. It takes 30 minutes to marinate and another 10 to 15 minutes to stir-fry everything.

Why this recipe works:

Salt and soy sauce tenderize meat, help it retain moisture, and increase its savoriness.

Sugar helps browning characteristics.

Oil helps distribute fat-soluble aromatic compounds over the meat.

Cornstarch insulates the meat form the high heat of a hot wok, ensuring that it doesn't overcook along its edges.

Aromatics like pepper and wine add a nice basic flavor to meat that pairs well with other ingredients.

Here are a few meat and vegetable pairings to get you started:

Basic Stir-Fry Marinade 1/2 pound chicken, pork, or beef 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper (white or black) 1/2 teaspoon Shaoxing wine 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon oil 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch In a large bowl, add ingredients in the order they are listed. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.