Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Basil
A vibrant stir-fry featuring succulent shrimp and crisp bell peppers tossed with fragrant garlic and fresh basil. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, garlic cloves, minced, loosely packed fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup, loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz raw shrimp to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and just cooked through.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil, stirring well to coat all ingredients. Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, stirring until wilted and aromatic. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Basil 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and 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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and 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 Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and 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.
