Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with Basil
Spicy shrimp stir-fried with fragrant garlic and fresh basil leaves, served as a quick and flavorful seafood dish. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque on all sides.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and sprinkle 1 tsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp black pepper over the shrimp. Toss everything together and cook for another 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves until just wilted, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with 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 Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with 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 Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with Basil 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 Stir-Fried Chili Garlic Shrimp with Basil?
Asian 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.
