Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

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

A quick stir fry featuring plump shrimp tossed in a spicy garlic sauce, perfect for a fast and flavorful dinner. This asian-inspired asian fusion ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, minced garlic, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque, then remove shrimp from skillet.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger, and 1 tsp red chili flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp honey, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups baby spinach and 3 sliced green onions, tossing for 1 minute until spinach wilts.
  5. Step 5: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, stirring everything together for 1 more minute until shrimp are reheated and well coated with sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry 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 Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry?

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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry?

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 Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry 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 Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry?

Asian asian fusion 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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