Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil and Chili

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

Quickly sautéed shrimp infused with fragrant garlic, fiery chili, and fresh Thai basil for a spicy and aromatic Asian fusion dish. This asian fusion-inspired seafood ready in about 16 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, vegetable oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 6 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced fresh red chili, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but garlic is not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring until shrimp start to turn pink on one side.
  3. Step 3: Flip shrimp and add 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes until shrimp are fully opaque and coated in the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, letting the residual heat wilt the leaves.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the top to brighten the flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil and Chili take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Thai Basil and Chili?

Asian Fusion 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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