Stir-Fried Shrimp with Tamarind and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

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.

A quick Vietnamese stir-fry featuring succulent shrimp tossed in a tangy tamarind and garlic sauce with fresh herbs. This Vietnamese-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs large shrimp, tamarind paste, 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. 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: 6 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
2 tbsp tamarind paste
5 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice until smooth and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until the shrimp start turning pink.
Step 4: Pour the tamarind sauce over the shrimp and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly, coating the shrimp.
Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Step 6: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or as a flavorful appetizer.