The Ultimate 15-Minute Teriyaki Shrimp Recipe: Quick, Flavorful & Easy
Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner game with this sensational Teriyaki Shrimp recipe. Featuring succulent, plump shrimp perfectly stir-fried and generously coated in a vibrant, homemade teriyaki sauce, this dish is a symphony of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. What makes it truly remarkable is its speed – you can have this exquisite meal on your table in just 15 minutes! It’s an ideal choice for busy evenings when you crave something incredibly flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a cooking novice, this recipe is designed for simplicity and maximum taste payoff, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Speedy Teriyaki Shrimp
This teriyaki shrimp recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a culinary delight that ticks all the boxes for a perfect meal. The magic lies in its expertly balanced flavor profile: a delightful interplay of tangy, salty, and sweet notes that come alive in every bite. As the shrimp sizzle in the skillet, they absorb the rich essence of the homemade teriyaki sauce, resulting in a dish with incredible depth and complexity, yet remarkably simple to prepare. In just around 15 minutes, you can transform fresh shrimp into a gourmet-quality dinner.
Beyond its incredible taste and speed, this recipe offers fantastic versatility. If you opt for our homemade teriyaki sauce, you’ll likely have some delicious leftovers. This is where the real convenience kicks in! You can easily repurpose the extra sauce to create other complementary dishes, like our popular teriyaki noodles, which makes for an effortless two-in-one dinner solution. Imagine a complete, Asian-inspired meal with minimal effort – that’s the beauty of this teriyaki shrimp. It’s perfect for meal prepping, last-minute dinners, or simply satisfying a craving for something truly delicious.
Key Ingredients for Your Teriyaki Shrimp Stir-Fry
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable dish. While the full list with precise measurements is conveniently located in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, let’s briefly discuss the core components that bring this teriyaki shrimp to life. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that irresistible balance of flavors and textures.
You’ll need fresh, high-quality shrimp as the star, of course. For the sauce, we’ll combine staples like soy sauce, sesame oil, and a few other key aromatics and sweeteners to build that signature teriyaki taste. A touch of cornstarch and water will create the perfect slurry to thicken the sauce, ensuring it beautifully clings to every piece of shrimp. Having these items ready will make the cooking process incredibly smooth and quick, living up to the 15-minute promise!
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
Let’s dive deeper into the ingredients, ensuring you have all the information for a perfect teriyaki shrimp every time, along with some handy substitution ideas to fit your pantry and preferences.
Choosing the Best Shrimp
SHRIMP – The quality of your shrimp makes a significant difference in this dish. We recommend using raw “grilling shrimp,” which are typically large or extra-large and come peeled with tails removed, making preparation even quicker. If these aren’t available, large or extra-large raw shrimp will work just as well. It’s crucial to avoid pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe, as they tend to become rubbery and overcooked when stir-fried. For frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully thawed before you begin. Place them in a colander under cold running water or in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can prevent the shrimp from searing properly, resulting in a steamed texture rather than a crisp, flavorful stir-fry.
Crafting the Perfect Teriyaki Sauce
SAUCE – The homemade teriyaki sauce is the heart of this recipe. We often prepare a larger batch of our Homemade Teriyaki Sauce and store it in the refrigerator for convenience. This allows us to whip up dishes like this teriyaki shrimp or teriyaki noodles on a whim. If you prefer to make just enough for this recipe, we’ve provided the exact measurements for the individual sauce components in the recipe card below. Our homemade version uses a balanced blend of low-sodium soy sauce for flavor control, aromatic sesame oil, rich oyster sauce, a touch of honey for sweetness, and rice vinegar for that essential tang. Freshly chopped ginger and minced garlic add a pungent warmth, while brown sugar enhances the sweetness and depth. Using fresh aromatics significantly elevates the taste compared to powdered alternatives. For dietary adjustments, you can experiment with maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey, and tamari for a gluten-free option in place of soy sauce.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Teriyaki Shrimp
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. For the printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
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In a large bowl, place your prepared shrimp. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the shrimp and toss thoroughly until each piece is lightly coated. This cornstarch coating is crucial; it helps create a delicate crispiness on the shrimp and also aids in thickening the sauce, ensuring it beautifully adheres to the shrimp.
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In a separate bowl or the container of an immersion blender, combine all the sauce ingredients: low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, chopped ginger, minced garlic, and brown sugar. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. If you don’t have an immersion blender, a regular blender or even vigorous whisking will work, just ensure all ingredients, especially the honey and sugar, are fully dissolved.
TIP – For ultimate convenience, you can simply use 1/2 cup of our pre-made homemade teriyaki sauce if you have it on hand.
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Heat the olive oil in a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil is hot and shimmering, but not smoking excessively. Carefully add the cornstarch-coated shrimp to the hot wok in a single layer to avoid overcrowding. Stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes, or until the shrimp begin to turn opaque and pink. Avoid overcooking at this stage, as they will cook further with the sauce.
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Pour the freshly prepared teriyaki sauce directly over the shrimp in the wok. Stir gently to ensure all the shrimp are coated. In a small separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water to create a smooth slurry. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the wok with the shrimp and sauce. The slurry will act as a thickening agent, giving the sauce that desirable glossy, rich consistency.
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Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to gently simmer. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has noticeably thickened and coats the shrimp beautifully. As soon as the sauce reaches your desired consistency, immediately turn off the heat to prevent the shrimp from overcooking. Serve hot and enjoy your perfectly cooked, flavorful teriyaki shrimp!
Frequently Asked Questions & Pro Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Shrimp
To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover teriyaki shrimp in an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator promptly after cooling. It will keep well for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, it’s best to do so gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery. A quick stir-fry for a few minutes until heated through is usually sufficient. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can easily overcook the shrimp.
Shrimp cooks incredibly quickly, so vigilance is key to avoid overcooking. Perfectly cooked shrimp will undergo a noticeable transformation: they will curl into a C-shape and turn opaque with vibrant pink and reddish hues. The texture will be tender and slightly firm. If shrimp turn whitish-grey, shrivel significantly, and feel rubbery, they have likely been overcooked. The total cooking time, including stir-frying before and simmering with the sauce, should not exceed 4-5 minutes for most large shrimp.
Absolutely! Adding vegetables is a fantastic way to boost nutrition and flavor. We recommend stir-frying quick-cooking vegetables like sliced bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli florets, or sliced carrots before adding the shrimp. Cook them until they are crisp-tender, then set them aside. Add them back to the wok along with the shrimp and sauce in the final steps to ensure they are heated through but still retain their vibrant color and slight crunch. This creates a more substantial and colorful meal.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Teriyaki Shrimp
This flavorful teriyaki shrimp is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. For a classic Asian-inspired experience, serve it alongside fluffy white rice or a fragrant brown rice. If you’re looking for something with a bit more zest, our teriyaki noodles make an excellent accompaniment, soaking up all that delicious sauce. You can also opt for homemade fried rice, packed with extra vegetables and egg, for a heartier option.
For a lighter or lower-carb meal, consider serving the shrimp with a generous portion of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, or asparagus. Steamed green beans or a simple fresh salad with a ginger-sesame dressing would also be delightful. To truly elevate the presentation and add an extra layer of flavor and texture, don’t forget to garnish your finished dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and some vibrant slivered green onions. These small touches add both visual appeal and a pleasant crunch!
Explore More Teriyaki Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with the sweet and savory flavors of teriyaki, you’ll be thrilled to know there’s a whole world of teriyaki-inspired dishes to explore! The versatility of this sauce makes it a perfect complement to various proteins. Here are some of our other favorite teriyaki recipes that you might enjoy adding to your cooking repertoire:
- Beef Teriyaki
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
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Teriyaki Shrimp
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound raw grilling shrimp peeled and tail shells removed
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Teriyaki Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- ¾ Tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¾ Tablespoon chopped ginger
- ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon brown sugar
Things You’ll Need
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Wok
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Immersion Blender
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Vinyl gloves (optional, for handling shrimp)
Before You Begin
- For the best results, use raw large or extra-large shrimp. While “grilling shrimp” are ideal if available, any raw shrimp will do. Avoid precooked shrimp as they can easily become tough. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat dry before starting.
- This recipe can be made with a batch of our Homemade Teriyaki Sauce, which we often keep refrigerated. Alternatively, you can use the fresh sauce ingredient measurements provided above for this specific recipe.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain texture.
Instructions
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In a large bowl, toss the raw shrimp with cornstarch until evenly coated.
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Combine all teriyaki sauce ingredients (soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, brown sugar) in an immersion blender and blend until smooth.
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Heat olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the cornstarch-coated shrimp and stir-fry for 2 minutes until they start to turn pink and opaque.
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Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the shrimp in the wok. In a small separate bowl, mix 1 Tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup water to create a slurry. Add this cornstarch slurry to the wok.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Turn off heat immediately once thickened to prevent overcooking the shrimp. Serve hot.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.