Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and healthy dish combining tender shrimp, snap peas, and tofu in a light garlic-soy sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal. This asian-inspired seafood (vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 30 minutes pairs shrimp, snap peas, tofu for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pan, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then sauté 4 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup snap peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
  3. Step 3: Crumble 1 block tofu (14 oz) into bite-sized pieces and add to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and slightly crispy.
  4. Step 4: Return the shrimp to the pan. Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce and stir to coat all ingredients. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Serve over 1 cup cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry?

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 Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Budget-Friendly Seafood Stir-Fry vegetarian-friendly?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes