Spicy Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil

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

A vibrant stir-fry featuring succulent seafood and fresh Thai basil, balanced with aromatic garlic and chili for an authentic flavor. This thai-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, calamari rings, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 8 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 thinly sliced red bird’s eye chilies, and 2 thinly sliced shallots. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz shrimp and 8 oz calamari rings to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the seafood turns opaque and is just cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp grated palm sugar. Toss continuously for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the seafood.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 chopped green onions, stirring until the basil wilts.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil?

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 Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil?

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 Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil 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 Spicy Thai Seafood Stir-Fry with Fresh Basil?

Thai 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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