Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Chili and Basil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant stir-fry featuring succulent shrimp tossed with fresh garlic, red chili, and fragrant basil leaves for a quick and flavorful meal. This thai-inspired low carb ready in about 16 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 250 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 2 Thai cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red chili, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp to the wok, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and just cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar, tossing everything together for 1 minute until the sauce coats the shrimp and thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, allowing the residual heat to wilt the basil.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lime wedges to squeeze over for a bright finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Chili and Basil take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Chili 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Chili 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 Chili and Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Chili and Basil?

Thai low carb 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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