Shrimp and Snow Peas Stir-Fry
Shrimp Snow Peas is a quick, colorful stir-fry made with tender shrimp, crisp snow peas, garlic, ginger, green onions, and a glossy savory sauce. It is perfect for busy weeknights because the entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes. Shrimp Snow Peas balances juicy seafood with crunchy vegetables and a light sauce that coats every bite without feeling heavy.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: About 27 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Stir-Fry
- 3 cups snow peas, trimmed
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For Serving
- Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles
- Sesame seeds
- Extra green onions
- Lime wedges, optional
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Shrimp Snow Peas is fast, fresh, and full of texture. The shrimp cook in only a few minutes, while the snow peas stay crisp and bright green.
Another reason to love Shrimp Snow Peas is its flexibility. You can add mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, or baby corn without changing the basic method.
It is also a great option when you want a takeout-style dinner at home with simple ingredients and a lighter sauce.
How to Make Shrimp Snow Peas
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
Place them in a bowl and add soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and black pepper.
Toss until evenly coated and let the shrimp sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, broth, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes.
Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
The sauce for Shrimp Snow Peas should look smooth and fairly thin at this stage because it will thicken quickly once it hits the hot pan.
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Trim the ends from the snow peas and remove any tough strings.
Slice the bell pepper into thin strips.
Chop the green onions, keeping the white and green parts separate.
Have the garlic and ginger ready before you begin cooking because stir-fry moves quickly.
Step 4: Heat the Pan
Place a large wok or skillet over medium-high to high heat.
Add the neutral oil and let it heat until shimmering.
A hot pan helps the shrimp sear quickly and keeps the vegetables crisp.
Step 5: Cook the Shrimp
Add the shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until pink and lightly golden.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Do not overcook because the shrimp will return to the pan later.
Step 6: Cook the Aromatics
Add the remaining sesame oil if the pan looks dry.
Add garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions.
Stir-fry for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
This step gives Shrimp Snow Peas its fresh aromatic base.
Step 7: Add the Vegetables
Add the snow peas and sliced bell pepper.
Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
The snow peas should turn bright green and stay crisp-tender rather than soft.
Step 8: Add the Sauce
Give the sauce another quick whisk and pour it into the pan.
Stir constantly as it begins to simmer.
The cornstarch will thicken the sauce in about 1 minute.
Step 9: Return the Shrimp
Add the cooked shrimp back to the pan.
Toss everything together until the shrimp and vegetables are coated in the glossy sauce.
At this point, Shrimp Snow Peas should look bright, fresh, and lightly sauced.
Step 10: Finish the Stir-Fry
Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce clings to the ingredients.
Taste and adjust with extra soy sauce, rice vinegar, or red pepper flakes if needed.
Step 11: Garnish
Remove the pan from the heat.
Sprinkle with green onion tops and sesame seeds.
Step 12: Serve
Serve Shrimp Snow Peas immediately over rice or noodles while the vegetables are still crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp Snow Peas is delicious over steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or fluffy white rice.
For a lower-carb option, serve the stir-fry over cauliflower rice or with extra stir-fried vegetables.
You can also pair it with noodles, fried rice, cucumber salad, or steamed bok choy.
For a larger meal, serve with spring rolls, vegetable dumplings, or a simple broth-based soup.
For a refreshing dessert after your meal, try our No-Bake Key Lime Pie with a creamy lime filling, buttery graham cracker crust, and bright citrus flavor.
Recipe Tips
Pat the shrimp dry before marinating so they sear rather than steam.
Use a large skillet or wok so the ingredients have enough room to cook quickly.
Do not overcrowd the pan, especially when cooking the shrimp.
For the best Shrimp Snow Peas texture, keep the heat fairly high and cook the snow peas briefly.
Whisk the sauce again immediately before adding because cornstarch settles quickly.
Fresh ginger and garlic give the best flavor.
Do not overcook the shrimp. They should be just opaque and tender.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
Easy Variations
Shrimp Snow Peas is easy to customize with other vegetables.
Add mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, baby corn, zucchini, or water chestnuts for extra texture.
For a spicy version, add chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or more red pepper flakes.
You can make Shrimp Snow Peas with chicken or thinly sliced beef instead of shrimp, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
For a sweeter sauce, increase the honey slightly.
For extra sesame flavor, add toasted sesame seeds and a tiny drizzle of sesame oil just before serving.
You may also enjoy our Avocado Lettuce Boats for a fresh, creamy, and easy meal with avocado, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, and lemon dressing.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Most of the prep can be done in advance.
Clean and trim the snow peas, slice the bell pepper, chop the green onions, and mix the sauce up to one day ahead.
Store everything separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
The shrimp can be peeled and deveined ahead, but wait to add the cornstarch marinade until shortly before cooking.
For the best texture, cook the stir-fry just before serving.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Shrimp Snow Peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth.
Microwave individual portions in short intervals if needed.
Avoid reheating for too long because shrimp can become rubbery and snow peas can lose their crisp texture.
Freezing is not ideal because the vegetables may become soft after thawing.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving, without rice or noodles:
Calories: 310
Protein: 33 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 980 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the shrimp, sauces, vegetables, and serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw completely, drain well, and pat dry before marinating.
Can I use frozen snow peas?
Fresh snow peas are best because they stay crisper, but frozen snow peas can work if added directly from frozen and cooked briefly.
Can I make Shrimp Snow Peas without oyster sauce?
Yes. Replace it with extra soy sauce plus a small amount of hoisin sauce, or simply omit it and adjust the seasoning.
Can I add noodles?
Yes. Cook noodles separately and toss them into the pan at the end.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes. Add red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or fresh sliced chili.
Why is my sauce too thick?
The cornstarch may have thickened more than expected. Add broth or water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce loosens.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare the ingredients in advance, but Shrimp Snow Peas is best cooked right before serving.
Final Thoughts
Shrimp Snow Peas is a fast and flavorful way to combine tender seafood, crisp vegetables, garlic, ginger, and a savory stir-fry sauce.
Because Shrimp Snow Peas cooks quickly and uses simple ingredients, it is especially useful for busy weeknights when you still want a fresh homemade dinner.
Keep this Shrimp Snow Peas recipe handy for quick lunches, family dinners, or takeout-inspired meals at home.
With juicy shrimp, crisp snow peas, colorful peppers, and glossy sauce, Shrimp Snow Peas delivers a satisfying balance of freshness, texture, and savory flavor in every bite.

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