Quick Stir-Fried Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli
A fast and flavorful stir fry combining succulent shrimp with crisp red bell peppers and broccoli in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, broccoli florets, small, thinly sliced yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp, optional red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water until smooth and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp and 1/2 tsp salt, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp sesame oil. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced yellow onion, stir-frying for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and 1 large sliced red bell pepper, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return shrimp to skillet. Pour in the soy sauce mixture and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly until sauce thickens and coats shrimp and vegetables, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli 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 Quick Stir-Fried Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli?
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 Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli?
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 Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli 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 Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Broccoli?
Asian stir fry 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.
Related recipes
Stir-Fried Black Rice with Garlic Shrimp and Snow Peas
Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli and Sesame
Sautéed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Garlic Ginger Sauce
Stir-Fried Shrimp with Cashews and Snow Peas
Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Garlic Sauce
Half-Portion Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
