Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Bell Pepper and Garlic

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

Succulent shrimp stir-fried with crisp bell peppers and a bold garlic chili sauce for a quick and flavorful meal. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, red bell pepper, green bell pepper 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
• 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp in a single layer and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the edges turn pink but shrimp are not fully cooked.
2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 sliced medium red bell pepper, and 1 sliced medium green bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry together for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, and 2 tsp toasted sesame oil. Pour this sauce over the shrimp and vegetables, stirring constantly to coat everything evenly.
4. Step 4: Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly, coating all ingredients.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.