Made with stir-fried shrimp, a medley of fresh veggies, and a ridiculously delicious stir fry sauce, this shrimp stir fry is a quick and easy favorite weeknight dinner recipe.
![Skillet showing shrimp stir fry with veggies and stir fry sauce.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Garlic-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
When dinner needs to be fast, I love turning to recipes for stir-fries. From Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry to Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy, to this Shrimp Stir Fry, stir fries cook up extremely fast, are loaded with protein, and don't sacrifice flavor, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
And this recipe for Shrimp Stir Fry is one of my favorites. Loaded with crisp-tender vegetables, tender shrimp, and a savory, garlic sauce stir-fry sauce, this is one recipe that is sure to be put on repeat at the house.
Reasons to Love Shrimp Stir-Fry
- Ready in 15 minutes. Just like my recipes for Blackened Mahi Mahi, Shrimp Tacos, and Air Fryer Shrimp, this recipe for Shrimp stir-fry comes together faster than you can find a takeout menu!
- Customizable. Don't like bell peppers or broccoli? Try sugar snap peas or zucchini. You get to pick the vegetables YOU like (or have on hand) to make this shrimp stir fry suitable for your family.
- Healthier Recipe. Not only is this recipe lower in fat, calories, and sodium than takeout, this stir fry is filled with lean protein and vegetables, making it a delicious and nutritious family-friendly dinner recipe.
Ingredients for Shrimp Stir-Fry
![Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe Ingredients labeled on counter for shrimp stir fry.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Recipe-for-Garlic-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
Do not be alarmed by the number of ingredients in this photo. I love adding a ton of veggies to my shrimp stir-fry, and while the shrimp stir-fry sauce is made with quite a few ingredients, you likely have most of them on hand. I have a few notes to help you select the best ingredients below.
- Shrimp: Use shrimp that is fresh or fully defrosted, peeled, and deveined. This recipe calls for large shrimp, but if you have smaller shrimp on hand, simply cook for less time.
- Vegetables: I love using a combination of sweet yellow or red peppers, green onions, and broccoli. Feel free to use cabbage, bok choy, snow peas, mushrooms, water chestnuts, zucchini, and/or yellow onions, in addition to or in place of the vegetables the recipe calls for.
- Oil: It is important to use cooking oil with a high smoke point like canola or vegetable oil.
- Stir Fry Sauce: This shrimp stir fry sauce is a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and balanced with soy and vinegar. It comes together using low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, hot sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch to thicken.
How to Make Shrimp Stir Fry
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare Sauce
Because our vegetables and shrimp cook so quickly, it is best to prepare the sauce by mixing together the water, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, honey, rice vinegar, hot sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl until well combined and the cornstarch has dissolved, BEFORE starting to stir-fry the shrimp and veggies.
![Stir Fry Sauce for Shrimp Stir Fry Side by side photo showing shrimp stir fry sauce before and after whisking together.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stir-Fry-Sauce-for-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
Stir Fry Shrimp
Be sure to pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before adding it to the skillet. This will help prevent oil splatter and allow the shrimp to evenly brown. Once patted dry, add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook the shrimp for 1 minute, flip, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the shrimp is opaque throughout and then remove the shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
![Recipe for Easy Shrimp Stir Fry Side-by-side photo showing shrimp before and after sauteeing.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Easy-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
Stir Fry Vegetables & Aromatics
Using the same skillet as you used to cook the shrimp, stir fry the vegetables until they are crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger and sauté 30 seconds longer, just until fragrant.
![Vegetable Shrimp Stir Fry Side by side photo showing veggies before and after sauteeing.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Recipe-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
Thicken Stir Fry Sauce
Add the prepared stir-fry sauce to the skillet, and let it come to bubble while stirring constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and coats the veggies.
![Easy Stir Fry with Shrimp Vegetables and stir fry sauce in skillet.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Easy-Stir-Fry-with-Shrimp.jpg)
Add Shrimp to Stir Fry
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat with sauce and then immediately serve for best results.
![Best Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe Shrimp and vegetables in saute pan with stir fry sauce.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Best-Shrimp-Stir-Fry.jpg)
Serving Suggestions
This Shrimp Stir Fry is substantial to stand alone as a one-pot meal. But of course, t is also delicious served over Instant Pot Brown Rice, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Instant Pot Quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
![Stir Fry with Shrimp Bowl of rice with garlic shrimp stir fry.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shrimp-and-Vegetable-Stir-Fry.jpg)
∗ Tips for the Best Shrimp Stir-Fry ∗
- Use the right pan. It is best to use a large cast iron skillet, wok, or large skillet. You want a pan that will be able to handle high heat and has quite a bit of surface area so that everything cooks evenly.
- Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly and can become rubbery if overcooked. You will know it is done when the shrimp becomes opaque.
- Use fresh, not frozen vegetables. That will ensure your vegetables are crisp-tender and not mushy.
Substitutions/Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-Free Option: Shaoxing wine contains gluten, so it is best to replace it with Mirin or dry Sherry. A lot of brands of soy sauce contain gluten as well, so it is best to use Tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce (or ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free.)
- No Shaoxing Wine? This is a type of rice wine that gives this stir fry an authentic restaurant flavor. Feel free to use mirin or dry sherry in place of the Shaoxing wine.
- Don't Want to Use Cornstarch? The cornstarch thickens the stir-fry sauce, but feel free to replace it with equal amounts of arrowroot powder.
- Frozen Shrimp? Your shrimp must be fully defrosted in order to cook evenly. To defrost frozen shrimp quickly, remove the shrimp from their packaging and place them directly into a large bowl of cold water. Let them sit in the water for 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until fully defrosted. Drain and pat dry and proceed with the recipe.
- Swap Out the Shrimp: Feel free to use cubed lean beef, pork, chicken, or tofu in place of the shrimp. You may need to adjust the cooking time, as pork, beef, and chicken will take a bit longer to cook than shrimp.
More Stir Fry Recipes to Try
- Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy
- Hunan Chicken
- Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry
- Hunan Beef
- Moo Goo Gai Pan
- Stir-Fried Bok Choy
- Shrimp Lo Mein
If you enjoyed this easy shrimp stir fry recipe, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
![Shrimp stir fry served on top of rice with fresh broccoli in background.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shrimp-Stir-Fry-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
Shrimp Stir Fry
Ingredients
Stir Fry Sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 2 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons canola oil divided
- 1 pound defrosted large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2-3 cups fresh broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large red or yellow bell peppers thinly sliced
- 6 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together water, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, honey, rice vinegar, hot sauce, and cornstarch until well combined and the cornstarch has dissolved. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and add the skillet in a single layer. Cook the shrimp for 1 minute, flip, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the shrimp is opaque throughout. Once cooked, remove the shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add in the broccoli and saute for 1 minute. After one minute, add the bell pepper and green onions and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until the vegetable are crisp-tender.
- Add garlic and ginger and saute 30 seconds longer.
- Quickly whisk sauce again to fully incorporate and then pour it into the skillet with the vegetables. Let the sauce cook for about 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat with sauce. Turn off the heat.
- Serve with rice and sesame seeds and additional green onions if desired.
Shana Y
We love a good stir fry! This was so easy to make and yummy. All of my kids loved it!
Abby
Made this for my husbands birthday and he raved about it! He ate two helpings and requested more for lunch the next day. Great recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
I am honored this was your husband's birthday meal! Thank you for taking the time to share your review 🙂
Sharina
I love seafood and this shrimp stir-fry is my new fav! So delicious and satisfying!