Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Vietnamese Basil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quickly stir-fried shrimp bursting with garlic and chili heat, accented by fragrant Vietnamese basil for a lively, savory dish. This vietnamese-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp, tablespoons vegetable oil, finely minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 220 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 finely minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced fresh red chilies, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, tossing to coat shrimp evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup Vietnamese basil leaves, allowing residual heat to wilt the leaves, about 30 seconds.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or as part of a Vietnamese meal.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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, Chili, and Vietnamese 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 tablespoons vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Vietnamese 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, Chili, and Vietnamese Basil 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, Chili, and Vietnamese Basil?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes