I make this speedy stir-fry when I want a colorful, satisfying dinner with tender shrimp, crisp veggies, and glossy noodles all in one pan. I whisk a quick sauce, sear the shrimp, toss in the vegetables, then finish everything with bouncy noodles for a weeknight win.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I keep the flavors bold and balanced—savory, a little sweet, and a touch of heat if I’m in the mood. I love that I can use whatever vegetables I have, swap in any noodles, and get a complete meal on the table in 25 minutes without takeout.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the sauce
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Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
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Oyster sauce (or hoisin for sweeter, thicker sauce)
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Rice vinegar or lime juice
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Honey or brown sugar (just a little for balance)
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Toasted sesame oil
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Chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (optional)
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Cornstarch and water (to thicken)
For the stir-fry
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Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (pat very dry)
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Neutral oil (avocado, canola, or peanut)
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Garlic and fresh ginger, finely minced
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Mixed vegetables: bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, carrots, or whatever I have
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Cooked noodles: rice noodles, lo mein/egg noodles, soba, or high-protein pasta
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Green onions and sesame seeds, for finish
Directions
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I cook the noodles according to package directions until just shy of tender; I drain, rinse (for rice noodles), and toss with a drizzle of oil so they don’t clump.
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I whisk the sauce in a bowl: soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, a touch of honey, sesame oil, chili-garlic sauce if I want heat, and a cornstarch slurry to help it cling.
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I heat a large wok or skillet over high heat, swirl in oil, and sear the shrimp in a single layer 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque. I remove them to a plate.
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I add a bit more oil, then I stir-fry the vegetables 2 to 3 minutes so they stay crisp-tender. I add the garlic and ginger for the last 30 seconds so they don’t burn.
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I return the shrimp to the pan, pour in the sauce, and toss until it thickens and coats everything.
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I add the noodles and toss over the heat until well combined and glossy. I finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then I serve immediately.
Servings and timing
I make 4 servings.
Prep: 10 minutes • Cook: 15 minutes • Total: 25 minutes
Variations
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Peanut style: I whisk 1 to 2 tablespoons peanut butter into the sauce and thin with a splash of water for a satay vibe.
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Garlic-butter lemon: I skip oyster sauce, add a knob of butter and extra garlic, and finish with lemon zest and juice.
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Veg-forward: I double the vegetables and use tofu or edamame in place of some shrimp.
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Gluten-free: I use rice noodles and tamari; I check labels on oyster/hoisin sauces.
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Low-carb: I swap shirataki or spiralized zucchini for the noodles and simmer the sauce a touch less to avoid over-reducing.
storage/reheating
I cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate airtight for up to 3 days. To reheat, I toss portions in a hot skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and revive the noodles. I avoid microwaving for too long because it can overcook the shrimp; if I do use the microwave, I reheat in short bursts and stir between intervals.
FAQs
What noodles work best?
I reach for medium-width rice noodles or lo mein/egg noodles because they hold sauce well without getting mushy. Soba or high-protein spaghetti also work in a pinch.
How do I keep the shrimp juicy?
I pat them very dry, cook over high heat, and pull them as soon as they’re just opaque. I add them back at the end so they don’t overcook.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
I can— I thaw completely, then I blot dry before searing so they brown instead of steam.
How do I prevent soggy noodles?
I undercook noodles slightly and finish them in the pan with the sauce. I also avoid overcrowding the skillet so moisture can evaporate quickly.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
I do— I whisk the sauce up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Dinner moves even faster when I only have to cook the shrimp, veg, and noodles.
Conclusion
I come back to this shrimp stir-fry with noodles whenever I need a fast, flavorful, and flexible dinner. I love the tender shrimp, crisp veggies, and slurpable noodles coated in a shiny, punchy sauce—exactly the kind of weeknight meal that feels like takeout, only fresher.
Print
Shrimp Stir-Fry with Noodles (25 Minutes)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and flavorful stir-fry with juicy shrimp, crisp vegetables, and noodles tossed in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce—ready in just 25 minutes for a weeknight-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
8 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, patted dry
8 oz cooked noodles (rice noodles, lo mein, soba, or similar)
2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or peanut), divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
3 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, carrots)
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 tbsp oyster sauce (or hoisin for sweeter flavor)
1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice
1 tsp honey or brown sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (optional)
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (slurry)
2 green onions, sliced
1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook noodles until just shy of tender. Drain, rinse if needed, and toss with a little oil to prevent clumping.
- Whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, chili-garlic sauce (if using), and cornstarch slurry in a bowl to make the sauce.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove to a plate.
- Add remaining oil to pan. Stir-fry vegetables 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger in the last 30 seconds.
- Return shrimp to pan. Pour in sauce and toss until thickened and glossy.
- Add noodles and stir-fry briefly until everything is well coated. Finish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry and sear over high heat for best texture.
Undercook noodles slightly—they’ll finish in the pan.
Use tamari and rice noodles for a gluten-free version.
For low-carb, swap noodles with shirataki or zucchini noodles.
Make the sauce up to 3 days ahead for faster cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 165mg