Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and flavorful Vietnamese stir-fry featuring succulent shrimp cooked with aromatic garlic and spicy fresh chili for a vibrant, savory dish. This vietnamese-inspired seafood ready in about 17 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, finely minced garlic cloves, thinly sliced fresh red chili 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 7 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 finely minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced fresh red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until shrimp turn pink and just cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together for 1 minute until shrimp are evenly coated and sauce is slightly reduced.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately with 4 lime wedges for squeezing over the shrimp.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Fresh Chili?

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 finely minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Chili?

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 Fresh Chili 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Chili?

Vietnamese 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.

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