Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

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

Tender shrimp cooked in a smoky harissa sauce with colorful bell peppers for a quick, flavor-packed stir fry that balances heat and sweetness. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, red bell pepper, sliced into strips, yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon ground cumin, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat with the garlic and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp begin to turn pink.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons harissa paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, tossing the shrimp to coat evenly with the spicy sauce.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper to the skillet, cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the peppers soften but remain slightly crisp and shrimp are fully opaque.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice over the stir fry. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with Bell Peppers 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 Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with 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 Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with 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 Smoky Harissa Shrimp Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?

Mediterranean 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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