Zesty Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Sautéing a delightful shrimp and pepper stir-fry promises a quick culinary adventure that bursts with vibrant flavors.

Crisp bell peppers dance alongside succulent seafood in this effortless dish.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers excitement to your plate.

Intense wok heat caramelizes each ingredient, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Quick cooking techniques ensure tender shrimp remain juicy and perfectly seasoned.

Fresh ingredients combine to produce a meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Grab your skillet and let hunger guide you toward this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Why Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry Is a Quick Dinner Hero

• Boost Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold, tangy marinade that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering Asian-inspired dish bursting with ginger, soy, and sesame notes.
• Master Quick Cooking Skills: Learn professional stir-frying techniques using high heat and rapid movements to create restaurant-quality meals in your own kitchen with minimal culinary experience.
• Customize Your Protein Adventure: Flexible recipe allows seamless swapping between shrimp and chicken, perfect for accommodating different dietary preferences or using available ingredients in your pantry.
• Nutrition-Packed One-Pan Wonder: Combines lean proteins with colorful bell peppers, delivering a balanced meal rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein without extensive cleanup or complicated preparation steps.

What’s in Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry

• Shrimp: Succulent seafood that provides the main protein and delicate texture for the stir-fry.
• Chicken (Optional): Extra protein option that adds versatility to the dish.

• Bell Peppers, Onions, Green Onions: Colorful vegetables that bring crunch, sweetness, and fresh flavor to the stir-fry.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a robust and pungent base flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Umami-rich condiments that add depth and saltiness to the marinade.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a distinctive nutty and aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a smooth slurry that thickens the sauce and gives a glossy finish.
• Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note and helps tenderize the proteins.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for high-heat cooking and ensuring ingredients don't stick to the wok.

How to Cook Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry Fast

Step 1: Whip Up a Magical Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and blend soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, black pepper, and salt. This flavor-packed marinade will transform your proteins into a taste sensation.

Step 2: Marinate the Seafood

Toss shrimp into the marinade, making sure every piece gets a luxurious coating. Let the proteins soak up those incredible flavors for 10-15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 3: Fire Up the Wok

Heat vegetable oil in a large wok until it’s blazing hot and shimmering. The key is to get that pan super hot for perfect searing.

Step 4: Awaken the Aromatics

Toss in minced garlic and sliced onions. Stir-fry them quickly until they release their tantalizing fragrance and turn slightly translucent.

Step 5: Bring on the Peppers

Add colorful bell peppers to the wok. Keep them moving to maintain their vibrant crunch and prevent burning.

Step 6: Sear the Proteins

Push the veggies to the side and lay out the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Let them sizzle and develop golden edges, turning occasionally.

Step 7: Create a Silky Sauce

Prepare a quick cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Pour this into the wok, stirring continuously to create a glossy, luxurious sauce that hugs every ingredient.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Sprinkle chopped green onions over the stir-fry, giving everything a final toss to distribute the fresh, zippy flavor.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Immediately transfer the stir-fry to a serving plate. Pair with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Tips for Perfect Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry

• Boost Protein Flavor: Marinate shrimp and optional chicken for 10-15 minutes to infuse deep, rich flavors and enhance tenderness.
• Control Wok Heat: Ensure high heat is consistent but not burning, creating perfect sear on proteins and maintaining vegetable crispness.
• Perfect Cornstarch Technique: Whisk slurry smoothly without lumps to guarantee a silky, glossy sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
• Quick Cooking Strategy: Stir-fry ingredients separately then combine, preventing overcooking and preserving individual ingredient textures.
• Elevate Freshness Factor: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions just before serving to add bright, zesty finish and aromatic complexity.

Easy Ways to Switch Up Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry

• Spicy Southeast Asian Version: Replace black pepper with Thai red chili flakes, add lemongrass, and incorporate coconut milk for a creamy, fiery profile that brings authentic Southeast Asian heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap oyster sauce with white wine, add fresh rosemary and thyme, incorporate kalamata olives, and finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.
• Japanese Teriyaki Style: Use mirin instead of sesame oil, add sake to the marinade, glaze with homemade teriyaki sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for a classic Japanese flavor approach.

Tasty Pairings for Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the light, zesty shrimp and pepper stir-fry with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the dish's rich flavors while enhancing its delicate seafood notes.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice: Choose fragrant jasmine rice as the perfect base, absorbing the savory sauce and providing a soft, aromatic backdrop that balances the stir-fry's bold spices and textures.
• Match with Cold Asian Beer: Select a refreshing Tsingtao, Sapporo, or Asahi to cool down the dish's intensity, with the beer's crisp carbonation cleaning the palate between bites and harmonizing with the stir-fry's umami profile.

How to Store Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry the Right Way

• Transfer leftover stir-fry to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping ingredients fresh and flavors intact.
• Carefully place cooled stir-fry in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months.
• Warm refrigerated stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out, stirring gently to maintain texture.
• Keep sauce and proteins separate when storing to prevent soggy ingredients, allowing you to refresh the dish's crispness when reheating.

Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry FAQs to Know

• Why use cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch creates a glossy, smooth sauce that coats the shrimp and vegetables, helping to thicken the stir-fry and giving it a restaurant-quality texture and shine.

• How do I know when the shrimp is perfectly cooked?

Shrimp is done when it turns opaque and develops golden edges, which typically takes 2-3 minutes. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery, so watch them carefully.

• Can I prepare the marinade in advance?

Yes, you can mix the marinade (soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ginger, pepper, and salt) ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before using.

Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry brings bold Asian-inspired flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Crisp vegetables and succulent shrimp dance together in a quick, zesty sauce that promises restaurant-quality excitement right from your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 lb chicken breast, optional

Vegetables:

• 2 bell peppers (mixed colors), sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup green onions, chopped

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

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Instructions

1. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a smooth slurry, then set aside for later thickening.
2. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, black pepper, and salt in a separate mixing bowl to develop a flavorful marinade.
3. Toss shrimp and optional chicken in the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated, and let sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering and nearly smoking, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add minced garlic and sliced onions, stir-frying rapidly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly translucent.
6. Introduce bell peppers to the wok, continuing to toss and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they maintain a crisp texture.
7. Push vegetables to the side of the wok and add marinated proteins, spreading them in a single layer to ensure proper searing.
8. Cook proteins for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn opaque and develop golden edges.
9. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the wok, stirring continuously to create a glossy, thickened sauce coating the ingredients.
10. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the stir-fry, giving a final toss to distribute evenly.
11. Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

• Cornstarch Trick: Use cold water when mixing cornstarch to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, silky sauce that clings perfectly to proteins and vegetables.
• Marinade Magic: Let shrimp and chicken marinate for maximum flavor absorption, but avoid exceeding 15 minutes to prevent the seafood from becoming tough or overly salty.
• High Heat Harmony: Ensure your wok or skillet is scorching hot before adding ingredients to achieve that authentic stir-fry sear and prevent soggy, steamed textures.
• Protein Perfection: Cut shrimp and chicken into uniform sizes for even cooking, allowing each piece to develop a beautiful golden color and tender interior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg