Fast and Tasty Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe

This Simple Firecracker Shrimp Stir Fry makes for an ideal weeknight dinner featuring succulent shrimp, crunchy vegetables, all drenched in a sweet and spicy sauce. Tastes far superior to take-out! Serve it over rice and have a delicious meal ready in less than 20 minutes.

Forget take-out and whip up this flavor-filled Firecracker Shrimp Stir Fry in merely 15 minutes! Packed with vibrant bell peppers, crunchy snap peas, and tender shrimp, all tossed in an incredibly tasty spicy sauce. This dish is the perfect quick dinner for those hectic weeknights and I assure you it surpasses your go-to takeout meal. Serve atop fluffy rice and savor the leftovers the next day. Think of bang bang shrimp or kung pao shrimp, but in a healthier version!

Why You’ll Adore this Recipe

• Rich in Protein – shrimp is a great source of lean protein! This stir fry boasts over 34 grams of protein per serving.
• Sweet and Spicy – the blend of honey and sriracha gives this stir fry a fantastic sweet and spicy zing.
• Quick and Convenient – you can effortlessly prepare this spicy shrimp stir fry in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.
• Adaptable – make this dish uniquely yours! Replace the protein, switch up the vegetables, and modify the spice level to fit your preferences.
• Perfect for Meal Prep – prepare a batch of this stir fry and portion it into containers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• shrimp – fresh or frozen large shrimp that has been thawed. Ensure you use peeled and deveined shrimp. Only use raw shrimp, not pre-cooked.
• veggies – I opted for a mix of red and yellow bell peppers along with sugar snap peas (or snow peas) and green onions. Feel free to utilize any vegetables you prefer, like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or even leafy greens.
• olive oil – I recommend using a decent olive oil that doesn’t have to be costly; just ensure it has a high smoke point. You could also opt for canola oil, vegetable oil, or even a dash of peanut oil for added flavor.

For the Firecracker Sauce

• soy sauce – I typically use lower sodium soy sauce, as I find regular soy sauce too salty for my taste, but you can use what you have available! You can also substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari to make it gluten-free.
• sesame oil – this contributes additional flavor, but if you lack sesame oil, feel free to skip it; the stir fry will still be delicious!
• honey – this supplies a hint of sweetness without refined sugars to balance out the heat, but you can swap honey for maple syrup or another natural sweetener.
• sriracha – I adore the spicy taste of sriracha, which makes this scrumptious sauce so enjoyable! You can also use chili garlic sauce or another spicy condiment.
• tomato paste – this replaces ketchup in the recipe and adds depth to the sauce while thickening it without needing corn starch!
• rice vinegar – brings a hint of acidity to balance the flavors, but if you don’t have rice vinegar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or a splash of lemon or lime juice with zest will work as substitutes.
• garlic – provides an extra flavor boost, and fresh minced garlic is always preferable! If you lack fresh garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
• seasonings – a mix of crushed red pepper flakes (for extra heat if you desire), along with a bit of salt and black pepper.

How to Prepare Firecracker Shrimp

1. Cook shrimp. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle some olive oil and arrange the shrimp in a single layer until they just start turning pink, roughly 3 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels and let them cool.
2. Sauté the veggies. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil onto the heated skillet and toss in the peppers and sugar snap peas. Cook the vegetables until they become tender, approximately 4 to 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.
3. Make the sauce. While the veggies are cooking, prepare the sticky sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, tomato paste, rice vinegar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Set aside.
4. Stir fry. Once the vegetables are nicely tender, reintroduce the shrimp into the pan and mix well. Pour the fiery firecracker sauce over everything and combine thoroughly. Ensure everything is coated, and bring the sauce to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and everything is well mixed.
5. Serve and savor. Garnish with sliced green onions (also known as scallions), sesame seeds, and serve over white rice or brown rice.

How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp

• Overnight – If you plan ahead, thaw the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to cooking. Place shrimp in a bowl or a plastic bag to thaw – this is my go-to method.
• Day of thaw – If you’re short on time, the quickest way to thaw shrimp is to transfer them to a sealed plastic bag and submerge it under cold running water. Keep the shrimp in the cold water for about 45 minutes until fully thawed.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions

• Adjust spice level – If you prefer an even spicier stir fry, you can add more sriracha or other hot sauce. Conversely, if the sauce turns out too spicy, feel free to cut the sriracha in half or swap it for a milder option such as sweet chili sauce.
• Veggie options – Feel free to change or include other vegetables, like mushrooms, carrots, or broccoli, based on what you have available.
• Make it gluten-free – Replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari to ensure it’s gluten-free.

How to Serve

• Serve over rice – Enjoy this firecracker shrimp and vegetables as a main course over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
• Pair with noodles – Serve it over lo mein or rice noodles for a twist. The noodles will soak up the sauce for extra flavor!
• With a salad – Complement this firecracker shrimp with a side salad, such as a crunchy Thai chicken salad or a Chinese chicken salad.
• Make egg rolls – Using spring roll wrappers, wrap the shrimp and either bake them in the oven on a baking sheet or fry them in a pan until they turn golden brown.
• As an appetizer – Rather than preparing a stir fry, you can also make this shrimp as finger food with toothpicks or small skewers, served with your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible appetizer.

Prepping and Storage

To Store: I always like to have a bag of raw frozen shrimp in my freezer for recipes like this and just thaw the bag in the fridge overnight. Fresh shrimp can also be used. Leftover firecracker shrimp can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Use your best judgment!

To Freeze: This meal can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat, I suggest defrosting the frozen shrimp first, then reheating everything in a skillet instead of a microwave for optimal results. Just a reminder, please don’t freeze shrimp that were previously thawed.

More Shrimp Recipes

More Stir Fry Recipes

I hope you enjoy the BEST Firecracker Shrimp recipe, and if it’s a hit with you as it is with us, please drop a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and remember to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I truly love seeing all your scrumptious recreations!

**Quick and Tasty Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe**

If you’re in search of a dish that fuses bold tastes, vibrant colors, and swift cooking times, look no further than Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry. This dish serves as an excellent weeknight meal that provides restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. With its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce, succulent shrimp, and crisp vegetables, Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry is bound to become a staple in your recipe collection.

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### What Is Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry?

Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry is a fusion dish combining the intense flavor of Asian-inspired sauces with the simplicity and brevity of stir-frying. The “firecracker” aspect typically refers to a zesty sauce crafted from ingredients like chili paste, garlic, ginger and a hint of sweetness from honey or brown sugar. When combined with juicy shrimp and vibrant vegetables, the outcome is a delectable meal that’s as satisfying as it is nutritious.

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### Reasons to Enjoy This Recipe

– **Fast and Simple**: Ready in just 20–25 minutes.
– **Flexible**: Customize with your preferred vegetables or tweak the spice level.
– **Nutritious**: High in protein and loaded with colorful vegetables.
– **One-Pot Wonder**: Minimal cleanup required.

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### Ingredients

**For the Firecracker Sauce:**
– 1/4 cup spicy chili sauce (such as Sriracha or sambal oelek)
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
– 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
– Optional: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (for added heat)

**For the Stir-Fry:**
– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup snap peas or snow peas
– 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
– 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
– Sesame seeds (for garnish)
– Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)

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### Instructions

1. **Prepare the Sauce**
In a small bowl, mix together chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set this aside.

2. **Cook the Shrimp**
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until they’re pink and opaque. Take the shrimp out of the pan and set them aside.

3. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables**
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add bell peppers, snap peas, and red onion. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until the veggies are tender-crisp.

4. **Combine and Cook**
Place the shrimp back into the pan. Pour the firecracker sauce over everything. Toss to combine and let it cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and evenly coat all the ingredients.

5. **Serve**
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles. Top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a delicious burst of flavor and texture.

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### Success Tips

– **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp**: Shrimp cook quickly and turn rubbery if overcooked. Remove them from the heat as soon as they look pink and opaque.
– **Prep Ahead**: Cut all vegetables and mix the sauce before you start cooking. Stir-frying is quick, so having everything prepared is essential.
– **Control Heat Level**: Adjust the spiciness by changing the quantity of chili sauce and red pepper flakes.

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### Variations

– **Protein Swap**: Replace shrimp with chicken, tofu, or beef strips.
– **Vegetable Choices**: Experiment with broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, or baby corn.
– **Low-Carb Option**: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

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### Final Takeaway

Firecracker Shrimp Stir-Fry offers a tantalizingly spicy, quick, and straightforward meal that adds excitement to your dinner routine. Whether you’re a fan of spice or simply seeking a new shrimp recipe, this dish is bound to impress. With its bold flavors and rapid preparation, it’s the ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed entertaining.

So grab your wok and get ready to spark your taste buds with this fiery and flavorful creation!