Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Tamarind Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy shrimp quickly stir-fried with aromatic garlic and a tangy tamarind sauce that balances sweet, sour, and savory flavors in each bite. This Vietnamese-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs large shrimp, garlic cloves, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 210 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
5, finely chopped garlic cloves
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp palm sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 tsp (optional) red chili flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp palm sugar, and 1/4 cup water until sugar dissolves and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 finely chopped garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, stir-frying for 2 minutes until shrimp start to turn pink.
Step 4: Pour the tamarind sauce mixture into the skillet and toss the shrimp to coat evenly. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the shrimp.
Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped green onions and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes if using. Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.