Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze
A zesty, flame-kissed shrimp dish glazed with a sweet-savory sesame sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This asian-inspired asian ready in about 25 minutes pairs (peeled and deveined) Shrimp, (1 red, 1 green, sliced) Bell peppers, (minced) Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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) Shrimp
- 2 (1 red, 1 green, sliced) Bell peppers
- 3 cloves (minced) Garlic
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (for thickening) Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add bell peppers and garlic, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 2: Push vegetables to the side, add shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes until pink. Mix in soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar, stirring to coat.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry. Add to the pan, stirring until the sauce thickens and glazes the shrimp.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze?
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 Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze?
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 Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze 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 Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Sesame Glaze?
Asian asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
