I absolutely love this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe because it’s quick, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that feels special but doesn’t take forever. The combination of fresh ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame seeds brings so much depth to the shrimp—it’s like a little Asian-inspired flavor bomb that wakes up your taste buds.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how just a handful of ingredients could create such an unforgettable dish. You’ll find that it’s incredibly versatile, working beautifully served over rice, noodles, or even a bed of steamed veggies. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing friends over dinner, this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe is always a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick to Make: You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Bold, Balanced Flavors: The ginger, garlic, and sesame work together harmoniously to deliver a bright, savory taste.
- Versatile and Flexible: Serve it over rice, noodles, or veggies – it pairs beautifully with just about anything.
- Kid-Friendly and Adult-Approved: My family goes crazy for this dish, and it’s mild enough to please everyone.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe come together to create a perfect marinade and quick sauté for the shrimp. Using fresh ginger and garlic really boosts the flavor, and toasting the sesame seeds is a little trick I learned that makes a big difference.
- Soy Sauce: Use gluten-free soy sauce if you want a gluten-free version without compromising flavor.
- Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness that balances the richness of the oils.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the marinade just enough to complement the savory notes.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds smooth richness to the marinade and helps the flavors coat the shrimp.
- Dark Sesame Oil: This is where that signature nutty aroma comes from, so don’t skip it.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic packs way more punch than pre-minced garlic – trust me!
- Grated Ginger: Fresh ginger is a game changer here, lending just the right zing and warmth.
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, about 16-20 count per pound works best for quick cooking and easy eating.
- Peanut or Canola Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point to get that perfect sear on the shrimp.
- Green Onions: Slice on the diagonal for a nice visual touch and a mild onion flavor.
- Sesame Seeds: Toast these to bring out their nutty flavor and add a lovely crunch.
Variations
I love making this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe my own depending on what I have on hand or how spicy I’m feeling. Feel free to tweak the flavors to suit your taste buds or dietary preferences — that’s part of the fun!
- Spicy Kick: I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of chili oil when I want a little heat.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Switching to tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce makes it safe and just as delicious.
- Veggie Boost: Adding bell peppers or snap peas to the stir-fry gives more texture and color – my family loves it.
- Nut-Free Version: Substitute peanut oil with avocado oil and skip sesame seeds if you’re allergic or prefer a milder nutty note.
How to Make Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp for Maximum Flavor
Start by whisking together the soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves completely. Then add the olive oil, dark sesame oil, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp in this marinade until they’re well coated, then pop the bowl in the fridge while you get everything else ready. I usually let mine sit for at least 15 minutes, but even a quick 10-minute soak will do wonders.
Step 2: Toast the Sesame Seeds to Unlock Their Aroma
While the shrimp marinates, heat a small sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the sesame seeds. Keep stirring or shaking the pan until they turn a light golden-brown color and smell nutty—this usually takes a couple of minutes. Toasting the seeds is a small step that makes a big difference in flavor and texture. Just watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Shrimp and Green Onions Quickly
Heat peanut or canola oil in a large non-stick sauté pan or wok over high heat. When the oil is shimmering and just about to smoke, transfer the shrimp from the marinade to the pan using a slotted spoon to avoid excess liquid splattering. Stir-fry the shrimp for about a minute, then add half of your sliced green onions. Keep stirring and flipping, cooking the shrimp until they turn pink and are just cooked through—this should take no more than 2 minutes total. Overcooking shrimp is my biggest regret in cooking them, so watch closely!
Step 4: Reduce the Remaining Marinade to a Glaze
Remove the cooked shrimp and green onions to a serving bowl. Pour the leftover marinade into the hot pan and simmer it for a few minutes until it thickens into a syrupy glaze. This reduction intensifies all those beautiful flavors and makes sure every bite is indulgent.
Step 5: Combine, Garnish, and Serve
Pour the reduced sauce over the shrimp and toss everything to coat. Sprinkle on your toasted sesame seeds and the remaining green onions for a fresh pop of color and crunch. Serve it immediately over steamed rice, soba noodles, or your choice of veggies. I promise this is one dish you’ll want to make again and again!
Pro Tips for Making Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook shrimp in batches if needed so they sear properly instead of steaming.
- Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic: These fresh aromatics make all the difference in flavor depth.
- Watch the Cooking Time: Shrimp cook fast—once they turn pink, pull them off the heat to avoid rubberiness.
- Toast Sesame Seeds Last Minute: Freshly toasted seeds retain crunch and aroma better when added just before serving.
How to Serve Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep the garnishes simple but effective—extra sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Sometimes, I add a little fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for brightness. These small touches make the dish pop visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides to serve with this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe are steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried bok choy, or a fresh cucumber salad. If I’m feeling a bit more indulgent, I’ll add some cold soba noodles tossed in sesame oil and soy sauce—it’s a match made in heaven.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this shrimp over a vibrant bed of shredded napa cabbage or inside lettuce wraps with extra crunchy veggies and a drizzle of the glaze. It’s a fun way to elevate the presentation and get everyone digging in hands-on style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The shrimp stay tasty but start to lose their perfect texture a bit, so I like to eat them as fresh as possible. If you do have leftovers, keep the sauce separate for best results.
Freezing
Freezing this shrimp dish isn’t my favorite because the texture changes slightly when thawed. But if you want to freeze it, I recommend doing so before cooking—marinate and freeze the raw shrimp in a freezer-safe bag, then cook fresh when ready.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, gently warm the shrimp in a pan over medium heat just until heated through. Avoid the microwave if possible, as shrimp can get rubbery. Adding a splash of water or broth helps keep the sauce saucy and fresh.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the frozen shrimp completely and pat them dry before marinating so they absorb the flavors well and cook evenly.
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How long should I marinate the shrimp?
Ideally, marinate the shrimp for 15-20 minutes in the fridge. If you’re short on time, even 10 minutes works, but avoid marinating too long to prevent the acid in vinegar from changing the shrimp’s texture.
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Can I make this recipe spicy?
Definitely! Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade for a spicy kick. I do this when guests want a bit of heat, and it pairs beautifully.
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What if I don’t have sesame oil?
You can skip sesame oil, but it adds a distinctive nutty flavor so I recommend getting a small bottle. Otherwise, using all olive oil is fine in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
This Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something fast but feel like I’m treating myself. It’s flavorful, easy to make, and always feels fresh and exciting. I really hope you try this at home—you’ll enjoy the bright, savory flavors as much as my family does, and it might just become a new favorite on your dinner rotation.
Print
Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2 to 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Ginger Garlic Sesame Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring succulent shrimp marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty crunch, while green onions bring a fresh bite. Perfect for a speedy and healthy dinner, it pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free version)
- 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
Shrimp & Garnish
- 1 pound (16-20 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil or canola oil
- 3 green onions, including onion greens, sliced on the diagonal
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Stir in olive oil, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add the shrimp, toss to coat thoroughly, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Toast the sesame seeds: In a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, toast the sesame seeds until they become lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from heat to prevent burning.
- Stir-fry the shrimp and green onions: Heat peanut or canola oil in a large non-stick sauté pan or wok over high heat until shimmering and almost smoking. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp from the marinade to the pan carefully to avoid splatter. Stir-fry shrimp for about one minute.
- Add green onions: Add half of the sliced green onions to the pan and continue to stir-fry, turning the shrimp as needed until they turn pink and are just cooked through, about one additional minute. Total cooking time should not exceed two minutes to keep shrimp tender.
- Remove shrimp and reduce marinade: Transfer cooked shrimp to a serving bowl. Pour the remaining marinade into the hot pan and simmer until it reduces to a syrupy consistency, intensifying the flavors.
- Combine and serve: Pour the reduced sauce over the shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and the remaining green onions. Serve immediately with your choice of rice, soba or rice noodles, or steamed vegetables such as bok choy, spinach, broccoli, or asparagus.
Notes
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Be cautious when adding shrimp to hot oil as it may splatter.
- Do not overcook shrimp to maintain their tenderness and juiciness.
- Toasted sesame seeds add rich flavor—toast them just until lightly browned.
- This dish pairs well with a variety of sides like rice, noodles, or steamed greens.
