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4.7 from 9 votes

Sichuan Shrimp Stir Fry

Authentic Chinese restaurant-style Sichuan shrimp is quick enough for a weeknight meal and delivers a crispy texture and richly aromatic, utterly divine flavor with that signature Sichuan spice.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 246 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Marinade
  • 1 lb (450 g) Shrimp , peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 teaspoon light soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Stir Fry
  • 1 cup dried Chinese chili peppers (*Footnote 1)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or enough to cover the shrimp halfway ) (*Footnote 2)
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1/2 ” (1 cm) ginger , minced
  • 1 green onion , whites minced, greens sliced for garnish
  • 2 teaspoons doubanjiang
  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and transfer them to a medium-sized bowl. Add the light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Toss to coat well. Marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Cut the chilis into 1/2” pieces and place in a colander that has holes big enough to have the chili seeds fall through. Shimmy the colander above a big plate to separate some of the seeds from the chilis. Set aside the deseeded chilis for the cooking and discard the seeds.
  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the shrimp. Let cook without moving for 1 to 2 minutes, until the bottom turns golden. Flip to cook the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes, until turning golden and the shrimp are fully curled up. Transfer the shrimp to a big plate and set aside.
  4. Turn to low heat. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the pan by pouring the oil into a bowl, or use a few layers of paper towels held in a pair of tongs to wipe the pan.
  5. Turn to medium-low heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and green onion. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  6. Add the doubanjiang. Stir and cook for a minute.
  7. Add the dried chilis, sichuan peppercorns, and peanuts. Continue to cook and stir for another minute, or until the chilis turn dark brown but are not burned.
  8. Add back the shrimp. Toss thoroughly to coat well. Immediately transfer everything to a serving plate.
  9. Serve hot over steamed rice as a main dish. (*Footnote 3)

Notes

  • This recipe separates the chili pepper seeds and discards them, so the final dish will be spicy (but not outrageous spicy), and it will have an authentic look with a more fragrant taste. If you do not wish to use so much chili pepper, you can 1/4 cup of chili peppers, cut them into halves and reserve the seeds. For a milder dish, use 1/4 to 1/2 cup chili peppers (depending on the spice level you’re looking for) and do not cut them.
  • The recipe uses enough oil to cover halfway up the shrimp to give it a light crispy texture but not as crispy as deep fried. You can use less oil as well, but the shrimp will not be crispy.
  • Do not eat the chili peppers or Sichuan peppercorns.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 246kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 8.2g (3%) Protein 27.3g (55%) Fat 11.1g (17%) Saturated Fat 2.3g (12%) Cholesterol 239mg (80%) Sodium 385mg (16%) Potassium 257mg (7%) Fiber 0.7g (3%) Sugar 0.5g (1%) Calcium 113mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 246

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 246kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 8.2g 3%
Protein 27.3g 55%
Fat 11.1g 17%
Saturated Fat 2.3g 12%
Cholesterol 239mg 80%
Sodium 385mg 16%
Potassium 257mg 5%
Fiber 0.7g 3%
Sugar 0.5g 1%
Calcium 113mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.