Looking for a quick weeknight dinner? Snow Peas with Shrimp Stir-fry is an easy vegetable dish that's ready in minutes using simple ingredients. It's tasty and nutritious and pairs well with steamed rice.
I have a favorite sauce I use as a flavor base for most of my stir fries, and it should be in your cooking arsenal, too! It's a simple recipe and very versatile. With a few simple switches of ingredients, like green beans to broccoli or shrimp to beef, you get a variety of dishes to enjoy using the same easy sauce.
This snow peas with shrimp is one of the delicious dishes I make with this liquid gold. It's a mouth-watering stir-fry consisting of crunchy and sweet snow peas, tender-crisp veggies, juicy large shrimp, and hardboiled quail eggs, perfect for a family mid-week meal!
Ingredient notes
- Shrimp- while pre-peeled shrimp from the store is convenient, I suggest using head-on shrimp and peeling them yourself. They have better texture and flavor.
- Vegetables- the recipe uses snow peas, carrots, and celery, but bell peppers and mushrooms are also great additions.
- Quail eggs- while you can boil and peel quail eggs yourself, I suggest using canned ones that are available at most Asian supermarkets. They're relatively inexpensive (about $2 a can) and are just as tasty!
- Stir-fry sauce- made with Asian pantry staples: soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sugar, and cornstarch.
Cooking tips
- Have your mise en place set up ahead of time. Since stir-fries are typically cooked quickly, it’s important to have the vegetables, shrimp, and other ingredients washed, cut, and ready to be added to the hot wok.
- Use a wok for best results; its unique design allows even heating and easy distribution of ingredients. If you don't have one, you can also use a wide pan with slanted sides to allow room for ingredients to have contact with the heated surface and move around without spilling.
- You’ll notice that the snow peas, veggies, and shrimp are all cooked separately initially and then combined in the wok to mix with the sauce toward the end of cooking time. These ingredients require different cooking times, and cooking them separately at first keeps some from being overcooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snap peas and snow peas the same?
No. Snow peas and snap peas are not the same, although both are popular options for salads and stir-fries. Snow peas consist of a flat pod with very small peas instead. Snow peas are sweet in flavor with a crunchy texture and are used mostly in stir-fries. Snap peas consist of a rounded pod that is thicker with larger peas inside. Snap peas tend to be sweeter than snow peas. They have a crisp texture and are often used in salads or enjoyed as a snack.
How do I know when my shrimp is cooked?
Shrimp should turn pink and opaque, and the flesh should be slightly firm to the touch. Be careful not to overcook as they will become tough and rubbery in texture.
Is this stir fry healthy?
Absolutely! This stir-fry provides a delicious and nutritious balance of vegetables and protein from the shrimp and the quail eggs. I also use light soy sauce to reduce the sodium.
How to serve and store
- Snow peas with shrimp stir fry is delicious as a main or side dish. Serve with steamed rice for a nutritious and filling lunch or dinner.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, if frozen, and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave to 165 F.
- Keep in mind that the texture of the snow peas and shrimp may be altered by the freezing, thawing, and reheating process.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup light soy sauce (Kikkoman)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- canola oil
- 1 pound snow peas, ends trimmed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and cut thinly in a bias
- 2 stalks celery, cut thinly in a bias
- 12 quail eggs, hardboiled and peeled
- ½ pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, cornstarch, sugar, and pepper. Stir until cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.
- In a wok or wide pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add snow peas and cook for about 10 seconds. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Add carrots and celery to pan and cook for about 30 seconds or until half done. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, if needed. Add shrimp and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or just until the color changes to pink. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Wipe down wok as needed. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Stir stir-fry sauce mixture to disperse cornstarch and add to wok. Bring to a boil.
- When it begins to thicken, add shrimp, quail eggs, celery, carrots, and snow peas. Continue to cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Have your mise en place set up ahead of time. Since stir-fries are typically cooked quickly, it’s important to have the vegetables, shrimp, and other ingredients washed, cut, and ready to be added to the hot wok.
- Use a wok for best results; its unique design allows even heating and easy distribution of ingredients. If you don't have one, you can also use a wide pan with slanted sides to allow room for ingredients to have contact with the heated surface and move around without spilling.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Luz Hoff says
Excellent & healthy menus!!
Simple & easy
Imelda Noveno says
Do you have recipe book or manual of your different yummy menu?
Lalaine Manalo says
Meron po. You can subscribe to my free newsletter and get a recipe book for free. I also have ebooks for sale po in my shop. Mga downloadable lang po na pwede niyo print.
Joyce Matas says
Love it so much po..