Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Scallions
A quick, vibrant stir-fry featuring tender shrimp, crisp bell peppers, and fresh scallions in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 22 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, stalks scallions, chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 3 stalks scallions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz large shrimp with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the shrimp to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they just turn pink and opaque, then remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the peppers are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return the shrimp to the skillet along with 3 chopped scallions, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 3 tbsp water. Stir everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp and vegetables.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
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 Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Scallions?
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 stalks scallions, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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 Scallions 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 Scallions?
Asian stir fry 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.
