Stir-Fried Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate rice vermicelli noodles stir-fried with succulent shrimp and topped with sweet crispy shallots for a flavorful Vietnamese street food experience. This vietnamese-inspired noodles ready in about 40 minutes pairs rice vermicelli noodles, peeled and deveined large shrimp, large, thinly sliced shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until softened, then drain well.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 large thinly sliced shallots and fry, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove shallots with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp vegetable oil and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 12 peeled and deveined large shrimp and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Add drained vermicelli noodles to the skillet along with 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Toss gently and cook for 2 minutes until noodles are heated through and coated in sauce.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 chopped green onions and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves. Transfer to serving plates and top with crispy shallots.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with 2 lime wedges for squeezing over.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 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 Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots?

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 rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots?

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 Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Vermicelli with Shrimp and Crispy Shallots?

Vietnamese noodles 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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