20-Minute Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe

ByElena Elliott November 3, 2024February 26, 2025 Updated onFebruary 26, 2025

When school is back on and weeknights get busy, having a quick, delicious recipe like Sweet and Sour Shrimp on the meal plan is a lifesaver! I absolutely love how easy it is to pull together, especially when you’re juggling after-school activities, homework, and everything else. This easy shrimp stir fry is the perfect answer to busy nights when you want something tasty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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 dish special is how well it balances sweetness and tang with a hint of heat. The shrimp is succulent, the sauce has that perfect zesty kick, and every bite is a burst of flavor. It makes a perfect family dinner and is great for a last-minute gathering with friends too.

To round out the meal, I love serving this shrimp with freshly cooked basmati rice and a quick smashed cucumber salad. The salad is light and refreshing and adds a crisp contrast to the richness of the shrimp. While I’m dreaming of holiday meals and the festive vibes that come with them, this dish is the perfect reminder that you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy something amazing. I’m sure this Sweet and Sour Shrimp will quickly become your go-to weeknight dinner.

📝 Recipe Ingredients & Notes

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 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.

🌶️ 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.

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, fish sauce, 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.

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.)