Dinner should be easy, fresh, and full of flavor, and this Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry checks all the boxes. In just 30 minutes, you can have juicy shrimp, crisp-tender veggies, and a delicious stir-fry sauce all tossed together in one pan.
Jump To
- Ingredients for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Cooking Directions for Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Pro Tips for Making the Best Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Storing and Reheating Tips for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry Leftovers
- Variations for Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Perfect Pairing Dishes for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry in 30 Minutes
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It's quick enough for a weeknight but tasty enough to feel like your favorite takeout order. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and zero fuss, this is the kind of meal you'll want on repeat.
Ingredients for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
Here's what you'll need to make this easy and delicious shrimp and veggie stir fry at home:
- Cooking oil: I used canola oil, a light, neutral oil with a high smoke point, which is ideal for cooking quickly over high heat.
- Shrimp: Shrimp are juicy, tender, and they soak up all that savory sauce nicely.
- Green onions: Add a burst of freshness and mild onion flavor.
- Garlic: Brings that savory aroma that makes this stir fry feel comforting and homey.
- Fresh ginger: Adds a zesty kick that wakes up all the other flavors in the dish.
- Mixed vegetables: A colorful blend of bell pepper, broccoli, sugar snap peas, and carrots adds crunch and balance.
- Salt: To taste.
- Black pepper: To taste.
Sauce ingredients:
- Chicken broth: Adds rich flavor to the sauce; vegetable broth or even water works.
- Light soy sauce: The backbone of stir-fry flavor, adding that classic umami and savory balance.
- Honey: Just a hint of sweetness to mellow the salty notes and bring harmony to the sauce.
- Toasted sesame oil: Infuses a nutty aroma that gives this dish its signature Asian-inspired taste.
- Cornstarch: Helps the sauce thicken just enough to coat the shrimp and veggies perfectly.
- Fresh lemon juice: A squeeze of brightness that keeps the dish fresh and vibrant. You can also use lime juice.
- Chili garlic sauce: Ideal for those who enjoy a touch of heat in their stir-fry. It is optional.
- Toasted sesame seeds: For garnish.
Cooking Directions for Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
This easy stir-fry comes together quickly, so having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth and stress-free.
Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. Set it aside. Make sure your vegetables are chopped, shrimp are peeled, and everything is ready to go before you start cooking. This stir-fry comes together quickly!
Sauté the aromatics: Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the white and light green parts of the green onions, along with the minced garlic and fresh ginger. Cook for about a minute, just until fragrant and slightly golden.
Cook the vegetables: Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the vegetables along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir frequently and cook until they begin to soften and get a little color on the edges.
Add the shrimp: Toss the shrimp into the pan and stir-fry until they're almost cooked through and starting to turn pink. This only takes a few minutes.
Add the sauce: Reduce the heat slightly, pour in the prepared sauce, and stir to coat everything evenly. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and clings nicely to the shrimp and veggies.
Serve and enjoy: Serve your homemade shrimp and vegetable stir fry right away with steamed white rice. Enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making the Best Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
Making a great stir-fry is all about timing, heat, and a little bit of prep.
A perfect stir-fry starts with good organization and high heat. Since everything cooks quickly, it's helpful to have your shrimp peeled, vegetables chopped, and sauce prepared before you begin. Cooking over high heat locks in the crisp-tender texture of the vegetables while keeping the shrimp juicy and flavorful.
Add the shrimp near the end since they cook quickly and can easily overcook. Before serving, taste the sauce and adjust the flavor by adding a little soy sauce for salt or honey for sweetness, as needed. Finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil to bring out the nutty, restaurant-style flavor that makes this homemade shrimp and vegetable stir-fry delicious.
Storing and Reheating Tips for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry Leftovers
Leftover shrimp and vegetable stir fry make a quick and tasty next-day meal. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to refresh the sauce and keep everything tender.
If you're using the microwave, heat in short intervals and stir between bursts to prevent the shrimp from getting tough. With these simple steps, your stir fry stays just as flavorful and fresh as when it was first made.
Variations for Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
This homemade shrimp and vegetable stir fry is easy to customize with whatever you have on hand.
Swap the shrimp for chicken, beef, or tofu for a new twist. Change up the veggies, try mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn for more flavor and color.
You can also play with the sauce. Add oyster sauce for depth, hoisin for sweetness, or a touch of rice vinegar for brightness. If you like it spicy, mix in a bit of sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
However you tweak it, this stir fry stays quick, fresh, and full of flavor.
Perfect Pairing Dishes for Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
This shrimp and vegetable stir fry pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or light sides. Serve it over jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa to soak up the sauce, or toss it with soba or rice noodles for a hearty bowl.
For something fresh, try adding a simple cucumber salad, miso soup, or a few egg rolls on the side. These easy pairings make your meal balanced, satisfying, and ready in no time.
Final Thoughts
This homemade shrimp and vegetable stir fry is the kind of meal that feels fresh, comforting, and effortless all at once. The shrimp turn out tender, the veggies stay crisp, and the sauce ties everything together with just the right balance of flavor.
It's quick to make, easy to love, and perfect for those nights when you want something homemade but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. Let me know how your shrimp and veggie stir fry turned out. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. This way, they sear well and don't water down the sauce.
Shrimp cook fast, usually just 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Once they turn pink and opaque, remove them from the pan. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so be sure to keep an eye on the cooking time.
Shrimp cook fast, usually just 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Once they turn pink and opaque, remove them from the pan. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so be sure to keep an eye on the cooking time.
No wok required! A large skillet works just as well. The key is cooking over high heat and not overcrowding the pan, so the ingredients sear instead of steaming.
Yes, simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the sauce. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this a simple adjustment.
Absolutely! Mix the stir-fry sauce ingredients in a jar and store them in the fridge for up to three days. Give it a shake before pouring it into the pan. This makes the recipe even faster on busy nights.
Yes, chicken works wonderfully. Just slice boneless chicken breast or thighs thinly and cook them first in the pan until golden. Then, continue with the recipe as written, using the vegetables and sauce.
Homemade Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 lb. raw shrimp peeled, deveined, tail off
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
- 4 cups mixed vegetables I used red bell pepper, broccoli, sugar snap, and carrots
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
For the sauce:
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. Set it aside. Make sure your vegetables are chopped, shrimp are peeled, and everything is ready to go before you start cooking. This stir-fry comes together quickly!
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the white and light green parts of the green onions, along with the minced garlic and fresh ginger. Cook for about a minute, just until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Cook the vegetables: Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the vegetables along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir frequently and cook until they begin to soften and get a little color on the edges.
- Add the shrimp: Toss the shrimp into the pan and stir-fry until they're almost cooked through and starting to turn pink. This only takes a few minutes.
- Add the sauce: Reduce the heat slightly, pour in the prepared sauce, and stir to coat everything evenly. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and clings nicely to the shrimp and veggies.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your homemade shrimp and vegetable stir fry right away with steamed white rice. Enjoy!
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