Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli and Bell Peppers

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

A quick and effortless stir-fry featuring plump shrimp, crisp broccoli, and colorful bell peppers tossed in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, broccoli florets, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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: 12 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same wok, add 3 cups broccoli florets, 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the shrimp to the wok, pour in the soy sauce mixture, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp and vegetables.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli and Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli 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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli 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 Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli 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 Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli 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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