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20-Minute Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe

Name: 20-Minute Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 600 grams uncooked, peeled shrimp (Prawns in Australia); 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (coriander in Australia. Leaves only, no stems.); 1/4 cup fresh mint (leaves only, no stemps.); 2 tablespoons grated ginger; 1-2 whole chilis (deseeded); 4 tablespoons sugar (I use raw organic sugar); 1/4 cup white vinegar; 1 tablespoons fish sauce

ByElena Elliott November 3, 2024November 23, 2024 Updated onNovember 23, 2024

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Craving a quick, Thai-inspired dinner? This Sweet and Sour Shrimp dish is packed with fresh flavors and is perfect for a busy night. Have all your ingredients ready to go, boil some basmati rice and you’re on your way to an easy, finger-licking family dinner that’s bursting with flavor.

A plate of cooked shrimp garnished with fresh mint leaves and red chili slices on a white dish. A gray napkin and spoon are placed next to the plate. A bowl of white rice is partially visible in the background.

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What Makes This Thai Shrimp Recipe a Must-Try?

Quick and Easy to Make: This Thai-inspired shrimp dish is a breeze to prepare, coming together in just 20 minutes. With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, it’s perfect for both seasoned chefs and those just starting out.
Kid-friendly: Shrimp is a favorite among most kids, and the delicious sweet-and-sour flavor of this dish is sure to win them over. If you’re cooking for younger children, simply reduce the amount of chili to keep it mild. You might even involve your kids in the cooking process—having them help with rinsing shrimp or stirring the glaze can make the meal more exciting for them!
Ideal for Busy Weeknights: This recipe is a lifesaver on hectic evenings when time is tight. With its quick prep and cooking time, this shrimp dish (or prawns, as we call them in Australia 😉) allows you to have a nutritious dinner on the table in no time. Pair it with some basmati or jasmine rice to round out the meal and make it even more satisfying. For those who enjoy a little crunch, consider serving it alongside a simple salad or steamed vegetables.

If you like quick Asian recipes you will also like 10 Minute Chicken Mince Stir Fry and San choy bau – Asian Lettuce wraps.

📝 Recipe Ingredients

Cooking ingredients for sweet and sour shrimp: a bowl of shrimp, olive oil, a red chili pepper, fresh mint and cilantro, vinegar, ginger, fish sauce, and a bowl of sugar on a light blue surface. Each item is labeled.

This ingredient list is very short, but for the best flavor, choose the freshest ingredients possible. Here is what you will need to make the sweet-sour shrimp dinner.

Shrimp: Also known as prawns in Australia. This Thai-inspired recipe calls for fresh or frozen, uncooked prawns. Whether you choose peeled or unpeeled is entirely up to you; however, I prefer peeled prawns, as they’re easier to eat, especially for kids.
Olive Oil: Used for frying the shrimp.
Fresh Cilantro and Mint Leaves: Known as coriander in Australia, cilantro adds a fresh flavor to the dish.
Fresh Ginger: Avoid using ground ginger; fresh ginger is essential for the best flavor.
Red Chilies: If cooking for your family, deseed the chilies, as the seeds are where most of the spice is concentrated.
Sugar: I always use organic raw sugar in my cooking.
White Vinegar: Regular white vinegar works well, though rice vinegar can be substituted.
Fish Sauce: Fish sauce is crucial for achieving the Thai-inspired flavor in this shrimp recipe. If you need a substitute, soy sauce or tamari can work, but the dish will have a slightly different flavor.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients 👇

How To Make Sweet And Sour Shrimp

Step 1: Peel the shrimp if they aren’t already. Grate the ginger and slice the chilies.

A saucepan filled with a light brown liquid, grated ginger, and sliced red chili peppers. The saucepan rests on a light blue textured surface.

Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sliced chilies, grated ginger, and sugar. Let it simmer over low heat, allowing it to reduce as you complete the next steps. This will form a sweet chili-ginger glaze.

🌶️ How to deseed a chili?

Put on gloves to protect your hands.
Cut the chili in half lengthwise with a sharp knife.
Use a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds and remove the inner membrane.
Now you can slice or julienne the chili.

Step 3: Wash the mint and cilantro, then pick the leaves from the stems. There’s no need to chop the herbs—just dry them and set aside.

A frying pan filled with cooked shrimp. The shrimp are pink and glistening with sauce, and the pan is on a light-colored surface.

Step 4: Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat, add a little oil, and stir-fry the shrimp with a pinch of salt. Keep stirring until the shrimp turned pink.

A plate of sautéed garlic shrimp garnished with red chili slices and fresh herbs. Two forks are placed beside the shrimp, and a bowl of steamed white rice is visible in the background. The dish is presented on a white tablecloth.

Step 5: Arrange the cooked shrimp on a large serving plate, pour the sweet chili glaze over them, and generously sprinkle with fresh mint and cilantro leaves. Serve with basmati rice. (For extra guidance, here’s how to cook basmati rice on the stove.)

☀️ Top Tips

Avoid overcooking shrimp, as they become tough quickly. Remove from heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Shrimp regardless of their size cook very quickly. They usually only need a couple of minutes. They turn pink once they are cooked and that is the time when you want to take them out. This way you will have juicy plump shrimp every time.

A plate of cooked shrimp served over white rice, garnished with red chili slices and fresh mint leaves. The dish is presented on a white, textured plate with a gray cloth napkin and a fork next to it.

Recipe FAQs

Can I refrigerate cooked sweet and sour shrimp?

Yes, of course. If you have some leftovers, simply put them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. You can enjoy them cold or reheat them in a pan for a couple of minutes.

Is this shrimp recipe gluten-free?

Yes, as with all recipes on this blog, this shrimp stir fry is 100% gluten-free.

More Delicious Asian Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more quick Asian-inspired dishes? Try these next:

If you tried this Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

Thank you! Elena