If you’re looking for a quick, vibrant dish to jazz up your dinner routine, you’re going to adore this Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe. It’s packed with colorful vegetables, tender shrimp, and a tangy-sweet sauce that’s ready to go straight from the freezer to your skillet. The best part? You can prep it ahead of time, stash it away, and have a nourishing, restaurant-quality meal waiting for you on even the busiest nights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe relies on simple, fresh ingredients that come together beautifully. Each component brings something special—whether it is the crisp bite of snow peas or the savory sweetness of brown sugar in the sauce—to create a well-balanced dish that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
- Raw shrimp (1 pound, peeled): Medium-sized shrimp cook fast and soak up the sauce perfectly.
- Soy sauce (1/3 cup): Adds a salty umami depth that’s essential for stir fry dishes.
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): Balances the soy sauce with a hint of sweetness.
- Minced garlic (1 teaspoon): Brings a punch of aromatic flavor.
- Ground ginger (1/2 teaspoon): Offers warmth and subtle spice.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (pinch): Gives a gentle kick without overpowering.
- Shredded carrots (1 cup): Provides natural sweetness and crunch.
- Snow peas (1 1/2 cups): Keep the stir fry light and add a fresh snap.
- Broccoli (1 small head or 2 cups florets): Adds color and a satisfying bite.
- Red bell pepper (1, sliced): Brightens up the dish with vibrant red color and mild sweetness.
- Cornstarch (optional, 1 tablespoon) + water (1 tablespoon): Perfect for thickening the sauce if you like it a bit more substantial.
How to Make Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Vegetables
Start by washing and chopping your veggies—cut broccoli into bite-sized florets and slice the red bell pepper into strips. Having these ready makes the whole process much smoother and ensures your stir fry has a great mix of textures.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
In a freezer-safe gallon ziplock bag, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Close the bag tightly and give it a gentle shake to blend all those fantastic flavors together.
Step 3: Add Shrimp and Veggies to the Bag
Next, place the raw shrimp at the bottom of the bag, followed by the broccoli florets, bell pepper slices, snow peas, and shredded carrots. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag to avoid freezer burn. Lay it flat in the freezer for the best space-saving storage.
Step 4: Cooking From Frozen
When you’re ready to eat, heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of cooking oil. Add the entire stir fry mix straight from the freezer and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch for the shrimp to turn perfectly pink and the vegetables to become tender but still crisp. If the sauce feels too watery, whisk together cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir it in and cook for a few minutes until it thickens nicely. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor experience.
How to Serve Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can elevate this stir fry to something extra special. Try sprinkling chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or even a handful of chopped fresh cilantro for pops of color and hints of brightness that complement the shrimp and veggies beautifully.
Side Dishes
While this stir fry tastes amazing on its own, it’s classic to serve it over fluffy white or brown rice for a comforting, filling meal. Quinoa or cauliflower rice also make excellent alternatives if you’re looking for a twist or lower-carb option.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your dinner guests? Serve your shrimp stir fry in a hollowed-out bell pepper or a pineapple bowl. This presentation adds a fun flair and makes the meal feel festive and colorful—perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover shrimp stir fry keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, making sure to stir occasionally so everything warms evenly.
Freezing
This recipe shines as a freezer meal because you can prepare it entirely ahead of time. Freeze the bagged stir fry flat for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight or cook directly from frozen, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Reheating
The best way to reheat your Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe is over medium heat on the stovetop. Toss it gently to keep the shrimp tender and the vegetables crisp. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up while reheating.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you have frozen, peeled shrimp on hand, they work perfectly. Just thaw them completely before adding to the bag to avoid excess water in the stir fry.
Is it necessary to use cornstarch in the recipe?
The cornstarch is optional, but it helps thicken the sauce if you prefer a richer, more clingy glaze on your shrimp and veggies. Without it, the sauce will be lighter but still delicious.
Can I swap out the vegetables?
Yes! Feel free to customize your stir fry with whatever fresh vegetables you love or have on hand. Snap peas, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn all make fantastic additions or substitutes.
How spicy is this dish?
The pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds just a gentle warmth, so it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can adjust the amount to suit your heat preference or omit it altogether for a milder version.
What type of oil is best for cooking the stir fry?
Neutral oils with high smoke points like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil work best for stir frying as they can handle the higher heat without burning and let the flavors shine.
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe is a total game-changer when it comes to easy weeknight dinners. It’s vibrant, full of flavor, and wonderfully convenient for those days when time is short but you still crave something homemade and delicious. Give it a try, and you might just find your new go-to meal that brings joy to busy evenings!
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Shrimp Stir Fry (Freezer Meal) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Shrimp Stir Fry freezer meal is a quick, flavorful, and convenient dish perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring succulent shrimp and a colorful medley of fresh vegetables tossed in a savory soy-ginger sauce with a hint of sweetness and spice, it’s a healthy and satisfying meal that cooks in just 15 minutes. Easy to prep ahead and freeze, this recipe ensures you can enjoy a homemade stir fry with minimal effort any day of the week.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled (medium size)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Vegetables
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 1/2 cups snow peas (about 1/4 pound)
- 1 small head of broccoli (or 2 cups broccoli florets)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
Optional Thickener
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Cut the broccoli into small florets and slice the red bell pepper into strips. Prepare the shredded carrots and snow peas so all vegetables are ready to use.
- Mix Sauce for Freezing: In a gallon-sized freezer-safe ziplock bag, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Shake the bag to mix the sauce ingredients thoroughly.
- Assemble Freezer Meal: Add the peeled shrimp to the bottom of the bag with the sauce, followed by the broccoli florets, sliced bell pepper, snow peas, and shredded carrots. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible, and lay flat in the freezer for storage.
- Cook Frozen Stir Fry: When ready to eat, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of cooking oil. Place the frozen stir fry mixture into the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked, and the vegetables become tender.
- Optional Sauce Thickening: If the stir fry sauce is too thin, mix together 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add this to the skillet and cook for 2-3 more minutes while stirring, until the sauce thickens nicely.
- Alternate Fresh Cooking Method: Alternatively, you can prepare the dish fresh by whisking the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of cooking oil. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, snow peas, and shredded carrots and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to soften the vegetables.
- Add Shrimp and Sauce: Add the shrimp and sauce to the skillet and cook an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, and vegetables are tender. Use the corn starch slurry if needed to thicken the sauce as in step 5. Serve immediately over rice or your favorite grain for a complete meal.
Notes
- This meal is perfect for freezing in advance and cooking straight from the freezer, making weeknight dinners much easier.
- Use medium-sized peeled shrimp for even cooking and best texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- For gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Serve over steamed rice, quinoa, or noodles for a complete dish.
- Ensure to remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
