Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers

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

A quick shrimp stir-fry bursting with garlic and butter flavor, combined with crisp snow peas and vibrant bell peppers for a colorful weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, thinly sliced garlic cloves 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp butter. Add 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper and 8 oz trimmed snow peas. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Toss everything together and cook for 1 more minute until heated through and sauce lightly coats shrimp and vegetables.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 sliced green onions for garnish. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers 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 Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers?

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 Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers 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 Garlic-Butter Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Bell Peppers?

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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