Craving a Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes? This quick shrimp stir-fry is the perfect easy weeknight meal. It starts with tender shrimp and crisp vegetables sautéed up in a flavorful homemade sauce.

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The Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe sauce packs a punch with a balanced blend of soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. In just minutes you can have a restaurant-worthy shrimp stir-fry right at home.

This Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe is a breeze to whip up and makes for a satisfying one-pan dinner. Keep reading for the full Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe ingredients and instructions to learn how to make this flavorful shrimp stir-fry in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this shrimp stir-fry recipe, you’ll need:

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, grated
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Vegetable oil for cooking
Cooked rice for serving

Tips for Prepping the Ingredients

Peel and devein the shrimp – Use a paring knife to slice along the back of the shrimp to expose the vein. Remove it with the tip of the knife.
Slice the vegetables – Slice the bell pepper and onion into 1⁄4 inch thick slices so they cook quickly.
Mince the garlic and grate the ginger – Use a micro plane grater to finely grate the ginger. Finely mince the garlic.
Make the sauce – In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and water.

How to Cook Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry

Cooking this stir-fry is quick and easy:

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate.
Cook the vegetables: Add the bell pepper and onion to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp.
Add garlic and ginger: Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the sauce: Give the sauce a quick stir and add it to the skillet. Bring to a boil and let cook for 1 minute until thickened.
Return shrimp to skillet: Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
Serve over rice: Serve the shrimp stir-fry immediately over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, or cilantro if desired. Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe Tips

Use a skillet or wok that is very hot before adding the ingredients so they sear and cook quickly.
Cook the shrimp just until opaque to avoid overcooking.
Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 teaspoon water if the sauce seems too thin.
For spicier stir-fry, add more red pepper flakes to taste.
Serve over cauliflower rice or noodles for low carb options.
Add other veggies like broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or bok choy.

Common Questions about Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making this shrimp stir-fry recipe:

What’s the best oil to use for cooking the shrimp?

Use a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, peanut, or avocado oil. Olive oil and sesame oil have a low smoke point so are not ideal for stir-frying.

Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use thawed frozen shrimp. Just make sure they are thoroughly thawed and patted dry before adding to the skillet. Cooking time may be slightly shorter.

What if I don’t have rice vinegar?

Substitute with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Use the same amount the recipe calls for of rice vinegar. The flavor will be slightly different but still tasty.

How do I know when the shrimp and veggies are cooked?

The shrimp will turn opaque and pink when cooked through. The veggies are done when they reach desired tenderness but still have some crispness.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sauce up to 3 days in advance. Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and store covered in the fridge until ready to use.

More Delicious Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipes

If you love this sweet and spicy shrimp stir-fry, try out some of these variations:

Ginger Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry – Use a ginger soy sauce sauce and add sesame seeds.
Orange Shrimp Stir-Fry – Use orange juice, zest, honey, and red pepper flakes for the sauce.
Coconut Curry Shrimp Stir-Fry – Make a coconut milk curry sauce with red curry paste.
Teriyaki Shrimp Stir-Fry – Use teriyaki sauce, garlic, and veggies for a simple stir-fry.
Lemon Shrimp Stir-Fry – Brighten up your stir-fry with lemon juice, zest, garlic, and thyme.

Conclusion

This sweet and spicy shrimp stir-fry is a quick and easy weeknight dinner option that’s loaded with flavor. Searing the shrimp and vegetables and tossing them in the sweet and spicy homemade sauce makes for a delicious meal ready in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice or cauliflower rice for a satisfying and healthy dinner. The sauce can be adjusted to be as sweet, spicy, or salty as you prefer. Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day. Enjoy this tasty shrimp stir-fry!