Szechuan Shrimp

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When you’re craving takeout-style flavor without the wait, Szechuan Shrimp brings a spicy, savory stir-fry to your table in just 25 minutes. Tender shrimp are quickly cooked with fresh garlic, ginger, and green onions, then coated in a concentrated sauce made with soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. The result is a fast, flavorful dinner that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles.

The secret to this recipe is having everything ready before you turn on the heat. Shrimp cook quickly, and the aromatics need only a few seconds in the hot wok to release their fragrance. Mix the sauce ingredients—ketchup, chili sauce, rice wine or sherry, soy sauce, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch—in a small bowl before you begin. That way, once the shrimp are nearly cooked, you can stir in the sauce and let it thicken into a glossy coating.

Start by heating the oil in a seasoned wok, then briefly stir-fry the chopped green onions, minced garlic, and ginger. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn pink and opaque. Stir the prepared sauce again to redistribute the cornstarch, then pour it into the wok and keep stirring until it thickens. Avoid overcooking the shrimp; they should be tender, not rubbery.

A carbon-steel wok is a useful addition to your kitchen for quick stir-fries like this one. Its shape makes it easy to toss the ingredients and keep them moving over high heat. If you don’t have a wok, a large skillet works too.

This recipe uses one pound of shrimp and takes about five minutes of cooking time, with 20 minutes of preparation. For extra heat, stir in a little sambal oelek at the end, as suggested in the original recipe. Serve the shrimp over steamed rice, or pair them with Vegetable Chow Mein, Biang Biang Noodles and some Green Bean Stir-Fry for a more complete meal.

With bold garlic-and-ginger flavor and an adjustable level of spice, Szechuan Shrimp is a practical choice for busy weeknights when you want something quick, satisfying, and full of character.

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