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Quick Chinese Style Sauteed Shrimp: Best 30-Minute Easy Recipe

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This Quick Chinese Style Sauteed Shrimp is a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. With a glossy, savory sauce and perfectly seared shrimp, it’s better than takeout and uses simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count, tail-on or off)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or canola oil)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1.5 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 green onions, sliced (white parts for cooking, green parts for garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
  • Extra sliced green onions (optional garnish)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Shrimp: If frozen, thaw under cold running water for 5 minutes. Pat very dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss shrimp with salt, white pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, and sesame oil. In a separate tiny bowl, mix cornstarch and water for the slurry. Set both aside.
  3. Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or wok over high heat for 60-90 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons neutral oil and swirl to coat. The oil should shimmer immediately.
  4. Sear the Shrimp: Add shrimp to the hot pan in a single layer (cook in two batches if needed). Sear undisturbed for 60-90 seconds until golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 60 seconds. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon to a clean plate.
  5. Cook the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the aromatics. Stir and let it come to a gentle simmer.
  7. Thicken the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry, then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. The sauce will thicken in about 20 seconds.
  8. Return the Shrimp: Add the seared shrimp back to the pan. Toss in the thickened sauce for 30-45 seconds until fully coated and heated through.
  9. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with green parts of green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or noodles.

Notes

Pat shrimp very dry for best sear. Do not overcook shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Have all ingredients prepped before starting. Adjust sauce to taste: add more sugar for sweetness, red pepper flakes for heat. For gluten-free, use tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick Chinese shrimp, sautéed shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, 30-minute dinner, weeknight meal, Chinese style shrimp, shrimp stir-fry

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/quick-chinese-style-sauteed-shrimp-best-30-minute-easy-recipe/