Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick stir-fry of tender shrimp with bold garlic and chili flavors, emphasizing speed and efficiency in the kitchen much like streamlined cargo routes. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 12 minutes pairs raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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: 5 min Cook: 7 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, about 1 minute.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced fresh red chili; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb raw peeled and deveined shrimp and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar; cook for another minute until sauce slightly thickens and coats the shrimp.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds over the top, then serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 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 Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili?

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 Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili 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.

What goes well with Efficient Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Chili?

Asian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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