Quick and Easy Shrimp Stir Fry
This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal, coming together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- For the stir-fry:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- For serving:
- Cooked rice (white or brown)
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Cooking Guide:
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside.
- Marinate the shrimp (optional): In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and cornstarch. Marinate for 10 minutes, while prepping the vegetables.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: Add the broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the shrimp: Add a bit more oil to the pan if needed. Increase the heat to high and add the shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through.
- Add the sauce and vegetables back to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked vegetables back to the pan and toss to coat.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Tips:
- Use fresh or frozen vegetables: For a shortcut, use a pre-chopped stir-fry mix. If using frozen vegetables, thaw them completely and drain any excess moisture before adding them to the pan.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: This will result in steamed shrimp and soggy vegetables. Cook the shrimp and vegetables in batches if necessary.
- Thicken the sauce: If the sauce is too thin, whisk together a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and add it to the simmering sauce, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Shrimp size: Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your shrimp. Smaller shrimp will cook faster.
- Protein variations: Substitute chicken, tofu, or another protein of your choice for the shrimp.
- Spice it up!: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a kick.