Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans Recipe
If you’re hunting for a way to jazz up your weeknight dinner routine, Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans is the answer you’ve been craving. This dish brings together juicy, succulent shrimp and crisp-tender green beans in a glossy, spicy-sweet sauce that clings to every bite. It’s fast, colorful, and absolutely packed with flavor, making it one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in regular rotation. Whether you’re a spice lover or simply looking for something fresh and vibrant, this meal ticks every box for taste, texture, and sheer dinnertime excitement.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans is how a handful of everyday ingredients can come together for an unforgettable dish. Each one plays a key role, bringing bold flavors, a pop of color, or a satisfying texture that makes this recipe truly shine.
- Shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): Quick-cooking and juicy, shrimp soak up every bit of the savory sauce.
- Fresh green beans (1 pound, trimmed): Their crisp bite adds freshness and a gorgeous green color to the stir-fry.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): The salty backbone of the sauce, infusing umami into every bite.
- Oyster sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds depth and a hint of sweetness to round out the flavors.
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (1 tablespoon): Delivers the perfect spicy kick; adjust to your heat preference.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Brightens the dish and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Honey (2 teaspoons): A touch of sweetness that mellows the heat and ties the sauce together.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons, divided): For stir-frying the beans and shrimp without sticking.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Aromatic and punchy, garlic infuses the oil with flavor from the start.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Adds warm, zesty undertones that lift the whole dish.
- Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For those who want an extra little fire in their stir-fry.
- Green onions (2, sliced, for garnish): Lively color and mild onion flavor finish the dish beautifully.
- Sesame seeds (for garnish): A nutty crunch and visual flair for the final touch.
How to Make Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
Start by grabbing a small bowl and whisking together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sriracha or chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. This mixture is the magic that ties Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans together, balancing sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy notes in every mouthful. Set it aside so it’s ready to go when things heat up!
Step 2: Stir-Fry the Green Beans
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add your trimmed green beans and stir-fry for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want the beans to be tender-crisp and develop a few little blisters for extra flavor. Once they’re just right, remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Shrimp with Aromatics
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to your skillet. Toss in the shrimp, minced garlic, grated ginger, and (if you like it hot) the red pepper flakes. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until they turn gorgeously pink and are cooked through. The aromatics will sizzle and perfume the kitchen with irresistible scents.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Return the green beans to the skillet with the shrimp. Pour in your prepared sauce and toss everything together. Let the mixture cook for about 2 minutes, just until everything is evenly coated and heated through. This is when Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans truly comes alive, glossy and fragrant, ready for the finishing touches.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Take the pan off the heat and sprinkle your creation with sliced green onions and a shower of sesame seeds. These final pops of color and crunch make every serving of Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans look as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions is the classic finishing touch for Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans. You can also add a squeeze of lime or a dash of toasted sesame oil for an extra layer of aroma and freshness. The right garnish makes each serving look restaurant-worthy—don’t skip it!
Side Dishes
This stir-fry is wonderful over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, which soaks up every drop of the bold sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve with steamed cauliflower rice or a tangle of rice noodles. A crisp Asian slaw or a simple cucumber salad on the side is perfect to balance the heat and round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans in individual bowls for a cozy feel, or family-style on a big platter for a festive vibe? For parties, thread the shrimp and beans onto skewers for a fun, interactive appetizer. You can even tuck leftovers into lettuce wraps for a fresh lunch the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors continue to meld and deepen, so it’s just as tasty the next day!
Freezing
While shrimp can be frozen, the texture of green beans sometimes softens after thawing. If you plan to freeze, store the shrimp and green beans separately in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for too long, as shrimp can easily overcook and turn rubbery. Stir gently and heat just until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure the frozen shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. This helps them sear properly and prevents excess water from diluting the sauce in your Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans.
How spicy is the finished dish?
The level of heat is totally customizable. With one tablespoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce, the dish is moderately spicy, but you can scale up or down depending on your preference. For an extra kick, add more sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
What’s the best way to trim green beans quickly?
Line up a handful of green beans on a cutting board and slice off the stem ends in one go. This method is quick and keeps your prep time for Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans under control!
Is there a substitute for oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can use hoisin sauce or a splash of fish sauce for a similar savory depth. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious in Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
This stir-fry is best fresh, but you can certainly prep the sauce and trim the green beans in advance. If you need to make it ahead, undercook the shrimp and green beans slightly, then reheat gently to finish cooking before serving.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to bring Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans into your kitchen. It’s the kind of meal that makes you look forward to dinnertime, bursting with flavor, color, and just the right amount of heat. Give it a try—your taste buds will thank you!
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Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Spicy Shrimp with Stir-Fried Green Beans recipe delivers a vibrant and flavorful Asian-inspired main course that’s quick to prepare and packed with protein. Tender shrimp are cooked with fresh green beans in a spicy, tangy sauce made from soy, oyster sauce, and sriracha, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and texture. Perfect served over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Vegetables
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey until combined. Set the sauce aside.
- Stir-Fry Green Beans: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the trimmed green beans and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes or until they are tender-crisp and lightly blistered. Remove the green beans from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the shrimp, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Combine and Toss: Return the cooked green beans to the skillet with the shrimp. Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients and toss everything together to coat evenly. Cook for about 2 more minutes to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish the dish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice or noodles as desired.
Notes
- Serve this dish over steamed jasmine rice or noodles to make it a complete meal.
- Adjust the level of spice by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
- Frozen shrimp can be used if fresh is unavailable, but make sure to thaw and pat them dry before cooking for best results.
- Green beans can be blanched beforehand if you prefer a softer texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
