Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas
A fragrant and colorful stir fry featuring plump shrimp, tender snow peas, and fresh basil leaves in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired stir fry (high protein, gluten free option) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, snow peas, trimmed, fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup snow peas, trimmed
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and start to curl. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same wok, add 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup trimmed snow peas and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return shrimp to the wok along with the soy sauce mixture. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the shrimp and snow peas.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep snow peas, trimmed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Basil and Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
