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    Home » Entrées/Main Dishes » Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry

    Published: Jan 17, 2022 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 6 Comments

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    image with text for shrimp and sugar snap pea stir fry

    Here's a light, fresh-tasting recipe for lemon garlic shrimp and snow pea stir fry with hints of ginger and bright notes from lemon. Serve this shrimp stir fry with pea pods and red peppers over rice or noodles for a quick nutritious meal. Ready in less than 30 minutes!

    This Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry is a light, fresh-tasting stir fry with hints of lemon and ginger. It's a healthy gluten-free meal that you can make in 30 minutes or so!

    I make this easy Japanese Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli and teriyaki sauce often, but today I opted for something light and lemony and I chose shrimp.

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Quick and easy. Stir fry meals are great for busy weeknights. They're quick, nutritious and you can vary the ingredients according to what you have on hand.
    • Perfectly cooked shrimp. Shrimp (or prawns) can sometimes become rubbery in a stir fry when they are overcooked, but this recipe ensures they will be perfectly cooked and tender!
    • Delicious! Lean proteins like shrimp or chicken are delicious when combined with light sauces and marinades. The lemon garlic sauce in this recipe perfectly complements the shrimp.
    • Light and fresh! It's light, delicately lemony and I know you'll love this shrimp stir fry with sugar snap peas or snow peas and peppers!

    Love to cook with shrimp and prawns? Wondering what's the best way to buy, cook or thaw shrimp? You'll find all the answers in this Complete Guide to Cooking Shrimp and Prawns.

    And you'll discover over 20 favourite ways to cook shrimp in this round-up of my Best Healthy Shrimp Recipes.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Let's get started. Here's what you'll need to make this easy shrimp stir-fry recipe.

    labeled ingredients for lemon garlic shrimp stir fry

    For the lemon sauce:  one lemon, chicken broth, soy sauce and a sweetener

    For the shrimp and veggies:

    • large shrimp or prawns:  peeled and deveined. You can remove the tails or leave them on. They do add flavour to the dish, but you may not like having to remove them when you eat.
    • You'll marinate these in soy sauce:  for that umami flavour! Keep it gluten-free by using tamari, or use coconut aminos for a paleo diet.
    • You'll also add a little dry sherry to the marinade: just a tablespoon adds a little sweetness and balances the saltiness of the tamari.
    • high-heat vegetable oil: I use avocado oil when cooking over high heat. Extra-virgin olive oil is not the best oil to use in this recipe. For more information and a list of high-heat cooking oils, see this article:  The Best Oils for Cooking and Which to Avoid.
    • aromatics:  garlic, ginger and green onions (scallions)
    • snow peas: or stringless sugar snap peas
    • bell peppers: red, yellow or orange add bright colours to this dish
    • sesame seeds: for garnish (optional)
    Lemon Garlic Shrimp stir fry with sugar snap peas and peppers in a skillet

    🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

    It's best to prepare all the ingredients first before starting to cook. Have everything measured, mixed and cut, as this stir fry takes only a few minutes to make.

    Here's an overview of what you'll do to make this easy shrimp stir fry. Complete instructions are in the recipe card below.

    1. Combine the lemon sauce ingredients and set aside.
    2. Add the tamari soy sauce and sherry to the shrimp and set aside to marinate.
    3. Mince the ginger and garlic and finely slice the green onions. Combine with 1 teaspoon oil.
    4. Slice the peppers and remove any stems or strings from the pea pods.
    5. Measure ¼ cup water and place it beside the stove.
    6. Heat oil in the pan, and begin by cooking the shrimp. Remove to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
    7. Add the snow peas to the pan, sauté quickly and add to the bowl with the shrimp. It's better to undercook them and remove them while they still have an appetizing bright green colour
    8. Add the peppers to the pan, sauté, push to the side of the skillet, then add the ginger-garlic-onion mixture.
    9. Transfer the shrimp and sugar snap or snow peas back into the skillet, add the lemon sauce and stir to combine.
    10. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot.
    lemon sauce for shrimp stir fry
    1. Combine lemon sauce ingredients and set aside.
    prawns marinating in a bowl
    2. Add tamari and sherry to shrimp.
    shrimp marinating in tamari and sherry
    3. Stir fry the shrimp then remove to a bowl.
    Sautéed snow peas in a skillet
    4. Stir fry snow peas, add to the bowl with the shrimp.
    Sautéed peppers in a skillet
    5. Sauté peppers, add ginger-garlic-onion mixture.
    lemon garlic shrimp stir fry in a skillet
    6. Add shrimp and peas back to the pan, add lemon sauce and sesame seeds.

    👍🏼 Helpful tips

    As mentioned above, stir-fry recipes are quick to cook. It's best to have all your ingredients prepared and ready beside the stove.

    Shrimp or prawns are best when they're cooked for a very short time over high heat. You'll know they're done when they lose their translucence and curl into a C-shape. They're safe to eat when they’ve turned completely opaque with a pink colour and bright-red tails.

    You can either remove the tails before cooking or leave them on. The tails add extra flavour, but some people don't like to have to remove them with their fingers while they're eating. Your choice!

    Sugar snap peas or snow peas are best when cooked quickly for no more than 3-5 minutes. After that, their bright green colour turns to a more olive green and while they're still delicious, they're not as appealing to the eye.

    overhead view of a bowl with shrimp and sugar snap pea stir fry on noodles

    Possible Variations

    Make it your own! Sauté mushrooms and/or red onions. Substitute asparagus spears for the sugar snap peas. Add tiny broccoli florets. This is an easy recipe to adapt to what you have in your fridge!

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    What type of pan is best for stir fry recipes?


    This recipe works well in a 12-inch skillet or cast iron pan.

    You do not have to use a wok to make stir fry. In fact, most modern Western stoves are not designed to use a round-bottomed wok.

    A heavy-bottomed skillet is my preference. I love my cast iron fry pans for stir fry, as I can heat them to high heat.  If you have a newer nonstick skillet, it will be safe to use at high heat as well.

    And if you need more convincing that you don't need a wok to make stir fry, read this: 10 reasons to use a frying pan instead of a wok to make stir fry meals.

    🍽 Serving suggestions

    This recipe for shrimp stir fry with sugar snap peas and peppers serves two. It's delicious as is, or when served over either rice or noodles. Sometimes I cook rice in my Instant Pot while preparing the stir fry.

    a bowl of stir fry over noodles with shrimp

    ⏰ Storing and reheating

    This shrimp stir-fry is best served right away. However, you can refrigerate leftovers and reheat them in a skillet the following day.

    🗒 More 30-minute meal ideas

    • 10-Minute Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
    • Easy Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
    • Fresh Veggie and Grilled Shrimp Zoodle Bowl
    • Quick Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng)
    • Vietnamese Prawn (or Shrimp) Noodle Bowl
    • Jerk Salmon and Black Bean Salad
    • Sesame Miso Salmon Bowls
    • Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls (Gluten-Free)
    • Honey-Dijon Glazed Salmon in Foil
    overhead view of a bowl with lemon garlic shrimp stir fry with chopsticks

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir-Fry

    Shrimp, sugar snap peas or snow peas and bell peppers meet up in a lemon-ginger sauce! Learn to make this Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry then customize it with your favourite veggies.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrée/Main Dish
    Cuisine: American, Asian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 469kcal
    Author: Elaine
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    Equipment

    1 12 inch skillet

    Ingredients

    For the Lemon Sauce

    • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons chicken broth, low-sodium
    • 1 tablespoon gluten-free tamari sauce, or soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons sugar, or natural 0-calorie sweetener

    For the Shrimp and Veggies

    • 1 pound large prawns or shrimp, 21- 25 shrimp, depending on their size
    • 1 tablespoon gluten-free tamari sauce, or soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
    • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons avocado oil, or other high-heat oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced or grated
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced or grated
    • 2 green onions
    • 6 ounces snow peas or sugar snap peas, stringless
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ medium each of red, yellow and orange bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
    • sea salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Combine the lemon sauce ingredients in a measuring cup or small bowl and set aside.
    • Toss the prawns (or shrimp) with the tamari and sherry in a small bowl. Let stand to marinate for 10 - 30 minutes.
    • In another small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon oil, ginger, garlic and green onions.
    • In a nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook for about 1 minute without stirring. Then stir to flip them over and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and cover with foil.
    • Add 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and return to high heat. Add the pea pods and cook, stirring for 2 minutes or until just beginning to soften. Remove them from the pan and add to the shrimp in the bowl.
    • Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the skillet. Return to high heat and add the peppers. Cook and stir for 1 - 2 minutes. Move the peppers to the edge of the skillet.
    • Add the ginger-garlic-onion mixture to the center of the skillet and cook for a minute. Combine with the peppers.
    • Add the snow peas and shrimp back into the skillet with any juices in the bottom of the bowl. Add the sauce and cook, tossing with the shrimp and vegetables until well combined and the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot as is, or over rice or noodles.

    Notes

    As mentioned in the post, stir-fry recipes are quick to make. It's best to have all your ingredients prepared and ready beside the stove.
    Shrimp or prawns are best when they're cooked for a very short time over high heat. You'll know they're done when they lose their translucence and curl into a C-shape. They're safe to eat when they’ve turned completely opaque with a pink colour and bright-red tails.
    For more information on how to cook shrimp or prawns, how to buy them, how to peel them and more, see my Complete Guide to Cooking Shrimp or Prawns.
    You can either remove the tails before cooking or leave them on. The tails add extra flavour, but some people don't like to have to remove them with their fingers while they're eating. Your choice!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 572mg | Sodium: 2778mg | Potassium: 572mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2035IU | Vitamin C: 166mg | Calcium: 401mg | Iron: 8mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    This recipe was adapted from Stir-Fried Shrimp, Asparagus and Yellow Pepper with Lemon Sauce from America's Test Kitchen.

    This recipe was originally published in 2019. I've updated it with new photos and information.

    More Entrées/Main Dishes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lily

      February 28, 2022 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      So quick, easy and healthy, too. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        March 01, 2022 at 9:08 am

        Thanks Lily! Happy to hear you like this as much as I do.

        Reply
    2. Bree

      February 28, 2022 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      I made this as written and used sugar snap peas and red bell pepper. A big hit all around. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        March 01, 2022 at 9:08 am

        Thanks for taking the time to comment! I'll bet it looked as great as it tasted!

        Reply
    3. Paula

      June 02, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      Love this easy recipe. I didn't have peas so I subbed asparagus and it was delicious. Will be using this as a guide from now on!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        June 02, 2020 at 12:53 pm

        Great idea to use asparagus. It goes so well with shrimp as it cooks quickly. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply

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    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

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