10-Minute Shrimp Stir Fry

Name: Shrimp Stir Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 2 tsp dark soy sauce; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp brown sugar; ½ tbsp sesame oil; ½ cup (125ml) chicken stock (or broth); 3 tbsp Chinese rice wine; 2 tbsp sesame oil (or as needed); 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp (or prawns) (peeled and deveined); 1 tsp minced ginger; 1 large onion (diced); 1 green bell pepper (diced); 1 red bell pepper (diced); 4 cloves garlic (sliced); 1 tbsb cornstarch (cornflour) (diluted in a little cold water to make a slurry); sesame seeds; chives or green onions (, chopped to garnish)

By Lucy Parissi

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, Updated Jul 31, 2025

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This 10-Minute Shrimp Stir Fry is fast and packed with flavor. A perfect weeknight dinner that’s healthy, easy, and so much better than takeout! Picture juicy shrimp, crisp veggies, and a punchy sauce coming together for a deliciously quick dinner.

Colorful shrimp stir fry with bell peppers, onions, and chives in a dark sauce, cooked in a pan. A wooden spatula is resting among the shrimp and vegetables.

Sometimes you need a meal that’s easy, delicious and QUICK. And nothing is quicker – or tastier – than this garlic shrimp stir fry! So forget takeout and get ready to make the most delicious shrimp recipe in just 10 minutes.

My husband declared this tasted WAY BETTER than our usual takeout order and I agree. The aroma of the garlic sauce, the plump juicy shrimp and crunchy veg are sure to satisfy all the senses.

A dark plate filled with stir-fried shrimp, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, onions, and sauce. Nearby are a bowl with the stir-fry over rice and a wok with more of the colorful shrimp and vegetable dish.

Ingredients For Shrimp Stir Fry

Just a handful of ingredients and you can stir up a dynamite meal in mere minutes! Let’s take a look at the key ingredients:

Soy Sauce (light and dark) – Light soy sauce adds saltiness and umami, while dark soy sauce contributes a rich color and slightly sweet depth. Replace with Tamari for a gluten-free option.
Oyster Sauce – Thick, savory, and slightly sweet, oyster sauce brings depth and that signature stir fry glaze.
Sesame Oil or Neutral Oil – Sesame oil (especially toasted) adds a nutty, aromatic finish. Use neutral oil like sunflower or vegetable for high-heat cooking, and drizzle toasted sesame oil at the end for flavor.
Chicken Broth or Stock – Adds moisture and savory flavor to the sauce. Sub with vegetable broth or even water in a pinch.
Chinese Rice Wine – Also called Shaoxing wine, this gives the dish depth and a restaurant-style finish. Substitute with dry sherry or Marsala wine – skip if unavailable.
Brown Sugar – Balances the saltiness of soy and oyster sauce. You can use honey, maple syrup, or white sugar if preferred.
Shrimp – Quick-cooking, lean protein that soaks up flavor beautifully. Use peeled and deveined shrimp (or prawns). If using frozen shrimp, run under cold water until thawed then pat dry before adding to the stir fry.
Peppers – Bell peppers add sweetness, crunch and color. I used both green and red bell peppers.
Onion – Adds a savory base and sweetness as it cooks.
Garlic (LOADS OF garlic) – for depth and aroma.
Ginger – Adds brightness and warmth. Freshly grated is best, but frozen or jarred ginger also works.
Cornstarch (cornflour) – To thicken our sauce. You can also use Xanthan gum in the same way.
Chives, green onions and sesame seeds for garnish.

A top-down view of bowls containing ingredients for a stir-fry: raw shrimp in the center, surrounded by chopped onion, chopped peppers, chicken broth, garlic & ginger, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, and brown sugar.

How to make Shrimp Stir Fry

Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Once you start cooking, this shrimp stir fry will be ready in just 10 minutes!
Make the stir-fry sauce: In a small bowl, mix the two types of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chicken broth, Shaoxing rice wine and sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat the remaining oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until pink and just cooked through. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon.
Add a bit more oil as needed and toss in the minced ginger, cooking for about 10 seconds. Now add the onion, peppers and garlic and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. We want our veggies to stay pretty crunchy overall.
Pour in the sauce and cornstarch slurry. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
Return the shrimp to the wok and stir to coat in the glossy sauce. Spoon over rice or noodles and top with sesame seeds and chopped chives.

Four images show steps of cooking shrimp stir-fry: whisking sauce in a measuring cup, sautéing shrimp in a pan, pouring sauce over stir-fried peppers and onions, and the finished shrimp and vegetable stir-fry.

Recipe Tips

Leftovers will keep for up to three days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container. Reheat in a wok or the microwave before serving, adding a little water if needed.
Make sure not to overcook the shrimp – a couple of minutes is all they need!
Variations: You can add as many veggies as you like! Snap peas, broccoli florets, baby corn, asparagus, choy sum, zucchini, and green beans are great choices. They cook quickly and stay crunchy. Most grocery stores also sell pre-chopped vegetable mixes for stir fries.
A proper wok is ideal for stir fries but a large skillet or chef’s pan will also work in a pinch.

A wok filled with stir-fried shrimp, red and green bell peppers, onions, and herbs, with a wooden spatula resting inside. The background is a light blue textured surface.

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If you’re craving something quick, fresh, and totally delicious, this 10-minute shrimp stir fry is here to save the day! If you give it a try, don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and comment below. And make sure you’re following along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for even more speedy, family-friendly dinners!