Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Basil
Quick stir-fried shrimp infused with fragrant garlic and fresh basil leaves, served with a savory soy and chili sauce for a bright Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 13 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, vegetable oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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. 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, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup whole fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 sliced diagonally green onions
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 20 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1/4 tsp chili flakes, and 1 tsp sugar. Cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly to coat shrimp.
- Step 5: Add 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions, tossing quickly until basil is wilted and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 13 minutes (5 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 Shrimp with Garlic 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 Shrimp with Garlic 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 Shrimp with Garlic 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 Shrimp with Garlic 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.
