Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate river shrimp quickly stir-fried with fragrant garlic and scallions, showcasing the fresh and subtle flavors typical of Shanghai cuisine. This chinese-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh river shrimp, peeled and deveined, vegetable oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 2, 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: 5 min Serves 2 Chinese 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 shimmering. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and the white parts of 1/3 cup sliced scallions, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 10 oz fresh river shrimp to the wok and stir-fry vigorously for 2 minutes until they start turning pink.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine and 1 tbsp light soy sauce, tossing shrimp to coat evenly. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1/8 tsp white pepper and 1/4 tsp salt, then sprinkle the green parts of the scallions over the shrimp. Give a final quick stir and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions?

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 Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions?

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 Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Garlic and Scallions?

Chinese 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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