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

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent river shrimp quickly stir-fried with aromatic ginger and scallions for a light and flavorful Shanghainese seafood dish. This chinese-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs peeled and deveined fresh river shrimp, julienned ginger, sliced into 2-inch segments scallions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 3, 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 3 Chinese cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 tbsp julienned ginger and stir-fry for 20 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined river shrimp to the wok and stir-fry for 2 minutes until they start turning pink.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp white pepper, and 1/2 tsp sugar, then toss everything together.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 sliced scallions (2-inch segments) and stir-fry for another 1 minute until shrimp are fully cooked and scallions are slightly wilted but still vibrant.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat immediately and serve hot as a light entrée or part of a family-style meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Ginger 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 Ginger 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 julienned ginger from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Shanghai-Style Stir-Fried River Shrimp with Ginger 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 Ginger and Scallions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Ginger 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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →