![A serving dish filled with glazed shrimp and crispy basil leaves set on a composite surface.](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/5cdb298eee06d5b8a37a9815/1:1/w_2560%2Cc_limit/shrimp-basil-stir-fry-recipe-BA-050119.jpg)
There’s so much more you can do with your farmers’ market basil than making pesto! Just toss a bunch in a hot pan as the finishing touch for charred shrimp that’s been flavored with a spicy, garlicky marinade, resulting in a fuss-free summertime dinner.
Ingredients
4 servings
Step 1
Blend chiles, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, salt, and 3 Tbsp. oil in a blender until smooth. Transfer marinade to a medium bowl; add shrimp and toss to coat. Let sit 10 minutes.
Step 2
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Working in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan, transfer shrimp to skillet, leaving marinade behind, and cook until deeply browned around the edges and flesh is opaque, about 1 minute per side. Remove pan from heat and add basil; toss vigorously until basil is wilted.
Step 3
Transfer shrimp mixture to plates. Serve with rice and lime wedges alongside.
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Reviews (26)
Back to TopI doubled the marinade ingredients. After the basil was wilted, I added the marinade and warmed until just heated through.
Heather
NJ
7/22/2023
Just made this tonight and it was delicious! The only thing I did change was to substitute zome Hoisin Sauce for the recommended sugar, which, for me, made it more typical of stir fry. Also did put some of the extra sauce on my cilantro, coconut & lime rice, which really gave it a nice boost. We will definitely put this on our list of favorite recipes.
Molly
4/13/2022
We make this all the time!!! Use cast iron if you can - makes a big difference. It also works with tofu although requires additional "marinade" since tofu is so absorbent. We've even made it with chicken as well. Usually I cut the sugar and have used various kinds of spicy red peppers when Fresno chiles weren't avail able. So fast and easy. Highly recommended!!
Anonymous
Seattle, WA
12/21/2021
Amazing!! I couldn't find Fresno peppers, but used jalapeños and they were just fine. You should definitely make this easy (unless you have to peel shrimp) and delicious recipe!
lizvollmer
Lafayette, CO
4/18/2021
Loved this dish - very easy to make and extremely flavorful. Make sure the pan is extremely hot before frying to cook quickly and crisply!
Anonymous
Marietta, GA
2/7/2021
So simple, so flavorful, so crave-worthy! Made as written but used jalapeños because couldn't find Fresnos. Served with a bit of steamed jasmine rice and my husband and I devoured it all. Definitely double if you're serving 3-4 or want leftovers. Can't wait to make again soon!
sillysara
Beacon, NY
11/28/2020
I loved this easy recipe! I added a bit of soy, ginger and lime juice to the marinade, and found it unnecessary to double the recipe. As others have said, allow the marinade to cling to the shrimp as you put them in the pan; they will caramelize as they cook and look and taste beautiful! I warmed the remaining marinade and served it with the shrimp over roasted vegetables (in this case carrot chips, bell peppers, onions and broccoli) and quinoa and brown rice
kgrinnell
Hilton Head Island, SC
9/20/2020
Delicious and easy! I used only a small amount of pepper for my spice-averse family and it was still great. Would increase the marinade a bit just to have more sauce for the rice and I completely forgot to add the limes.
rstarner3877
Columbia, SC
9/14/2020
This was so simple to make and so delicious! I had basil and peppers in the garden and had cooked some rice to use for whatever. So this came together in about 20 minutes and it was soooooo good!
llk73
Grand Rapids Mi
8/9/2020
Delicious! Served with green beans that I sauteed in the same wok after the shrimp. Definitely would make again, soon!
rredett
Baltimore
7/7/2020
So delicious! I added julienne asparagus to the dish and it’s amazing!
maivuevang
MN
6/17/2020
Yummy. The shrimp comes out nice and glazed. Great appetizer. The bigger the shrimp the better the dish.
Anonymous
Cali
5/24/2020
This was so easy and yielded an absolutely delicious dish. I added the marinade to the cast iron skillet slowly during the second batch of shrimp and it carmelized beautifully providing more sauce for the rice. We will make this again --- soon!!
lprice920
Framingham, MA
5/8/2020
哇!我承认为四倍虾us, and so had to work in several batches in my cast iron skillet, but this was terrific. Easy and very tasty. Two of our group is spice-averse, so I used one jalapeño for the three Fresno chiles. I had a big bunch of basil so used it all in the dish, but did not need to double the marinade for the 2 pounds of shrimp. Everyone loved it...no leftovers.
blwyxx4163
Durango, CO
1/4/2020
Delicious and oh so easy. I made it as written and wouldn’t change a thing, which is rare for me. Served with rice and it was a fabulous dinner that needed 15 minutes of work to enjoy. Pretty and tasty enough to serve guests. I think the marinade would complement chicken or white fish too. My days of ordering Thai Basil shrimp, etc., are over.
Anonymous
Chicago, Illinois
11/9/2019