Shrimp Stir-Fry: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
This shrimp stir-fry recipe is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be customized to your liking. This recipe is optimized for search engines, incorporating relevant keywords and semantic variations throughout the text. Let's dive in!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 2-3 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (large or medium shrimp work best)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated (fresh ginger provides the best flavor)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup snow peas (or your favorite vegetables)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, but adds a delicious umami flavor)
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional additions: Red pepper flakes for spice, carrots, mushrooms, etc.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
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Stir-fry the Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, broccoli, and snow peas and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Remove the vegetables from the wok and set aside.
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Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Don't overcrowd the wok; cook in batches if necessary.
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Sauce it Up: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and honey/brown sugar. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
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Thicken the Sauce: Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
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Combine and Serve: Return the vegetables to the wok and toss everything together to coat in the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Tips for the Best Shrimp Stir-Fry:
- Don't overcook the shrimp! Overcooked shrimp will be tough and rubbery.
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. The flavor difference is noticeable.
- Adjust the sauce to your liking. Add more soy sauce for saltiness, or more honey/brown sugar for sweetness.
- Serve with rice! This stir-fry is delicious over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
- What other vegetables can I use? Feel free to experiment with your favorite vegetables! Mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and water chestnuts all work well.
- Can I make this ahead of time? It's best to serve this stir-fry fresh, but you can prepare the vegetables and sauce ahead of time.
This shrimp stir-fry recipe is a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal option that’s perfect for any night of the week. Enjoy!
