If you like dishes that bring a little heat and a lot of flavor, this Szechuan shrimp recipe is one you’ll want to keep close. The sauce is a mix of sweet, spicy, and savory, made with soy sauce, ketchup, honey, and red pepper flakes. Since it uses precooked shrimp, you can have everything ready in about twenty minutes, which makes it great for busy days. The garlic and ginger add a nice kick that keeps every bite full of flavor, especially when served over hot white rice.
Why this recipe works
- Quick to prepare: Using precooked shrimp cuts down the cooking time and makes this dish ready in minutes without losing any flavor.
- Balanced flavors: The sweet honey and ketchup pair perfectly with the heat from red pepper flakes for a sauce that’s both spicy and smooth.
- Simple steps: You only need one pan and a few ingredients to bring everything together, which means less cleanup later.
- Perfect texture: The shrimp stay tender and juicy because they are cooked just long enough to soak up the sauce.
- Custom spice level: You can easily adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to make it mild or spicy, depending on your preference.
Serving suggestions
- Classic pairing: Serve Szechuan shrimp over steamed white rice so it soaks up the flavorful sauce with every bite.
- Noodle option: Toss the shrimp and sauce with cooked noodles for a quick, restaurant-style stir-fry meal.
- Vegetable mix: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli to make the dish heartier and add some crunch.
- Meal prep idea: Make a double batch and pack it with rice for an easy lunch that reheats well the next day.
- Dinner favorite: Pair it with egg rolls or a light cucumber salad to round out a simple and satisfying meal.
More Asian shrimp recipes
You may also like:
- Shrimp with garlic sauce. Shrimp tossed in a sweet-and-savory sesame sauce with garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat.
- Chinese shrimp with broccoli. Fresh shrimp and broccoli stir-fried in a savory Chinese-style sauce.
- Sesame shrimp. A good dose of sesame oil carries the flavor in this easy dish.
Read next: How to stir-fry: Ingredients and recipes for healthy, fresh, fast meals
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Szechuan shrimp recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A simple, spicy stir-fry made with shrimp, garlic, and ginger that’s ready in minutes and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 ounces cooked large shrimp, with tails removed
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Mix the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the water, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, crushed red pepper flakes, and ginger until smooth. Set aside. - Stir-fry the aromatics
Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green onions and garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. - Cook the shrimp and finish
Add the shrimp to the wok and toss to coat with the oil and aromatics. Pour in the prepared sauce and let everything cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 264
- Sugar: 7.8 g
- Sodium: 583.2 mg
- Fat: 7.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.4 g
- Protein: 35.3 g
- Cholesterol: 273.7 mg