Spicy Prawns Stir Fry Easy

This spicy prawn stir fry has become my weeknight hero dish whenever I need a quick, flavorful meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort. The beautiful sauce clings perfectly to each succulent prawn, creating a glossy finish that looks as impressive as it tastes.

I first created this recipe during a particularly busy work week when I needed something quick but refused to compromise on flavor. Now it has become my most requested dish when friends come over unexpectedly they always think I spent far more time in the kitchen than I actually did.

Ingredients

• 12 large prawns about 1 pound peeled and deveined: the star of the show choose plump fresh prawns for best results
• Green onions separated into white and green parts: the whites provide aromatic base while greens add fresh finish and color
• 2 cloves of garlic minced: provides essential aromatic foundation always use fresh for best flavor
• 1 tablespoon of vegetarian oyster sauce: adds umami depth and thickness to the sauce
• 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce: provides perfect balance of sweetness and gentle heat
• 1 teaspoon of chili crisp: adds textured spice and incredible flavor choose a quality brand for best results
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice: brightens all flavors use freshly squeezed not bottled
• 2 teaspoon of sesame oil: finishing oil that adds nutty complexity use toasted variety for maximum impact
• Handful of roasted cashews optional: adds wonderful textural contrast and nutty flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Ingredients:

Start by having everything ready before heating your pan. Peel and devein prawns if not already done. Finely chop white parts of green onions and slice green parts diagonally for garnish. Mince garlic cloves finely. This mise en place ensures the cooking process flows smoothly since things move quickly.

Create The Aromatic Base:

Heat your skillet over medium high heat until properly hot. Add a small amount of oil then add white parts of green onions and garlic. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. This creates the foundation of flavor for the entire dish.

Cook The Prawns:

Add prawns to pan in a single layer ensuring they all make contact with the hot surface. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin turning pink and slightly opaque. Flip each prawn carefully and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until fully opaque and just cooked through. Watch carefully as overcooking will make them tough and rubbery.

Create The Sauce:

Add vegetarian oyster sauce sweet chili sauce and chili crisp directly to the pan with the prawns. Let everything cook together for about 2 minutes allowing the sauce to bubble slightly and become sticky and glossy. The prawns will absorb these flavors while the sauce reduces to the perfect consistency.

Finish The Dish:

Add sesame oil and fresh lemon juice to the pan giving everything a gentle toss to incorporate. If using cashews add them now allowing them to get coated in the sauce. The sesame oil and lemon juice should not be cooked long just enough to incorporate their flavors.

Save This

I discovered the magic of chili crisp fairly recently and now consider it my secret weapon in the kitchen. The combination of crunchy chili flakes suspended in oil creates these little pockets of flavor that burst with each bite. My family now keeps at least two jars in the pantry at all times.

Serving Suggestions

While rice is the traditional accompaniment to this spicy prawn stir fry consider serving it over rice noodles for a change of pace. The sauce coats the noodles beautifully creating a complete one dish meal. For a lighter option wrap the prawns and a bit of sauce in butter lettuce leaves for delicious hand held bites that work wonderfully as an appetizer.

Make Ahead Options

While this dish is best enjoyed immediately after cooking you can prepare components ahead of time. Peel and devein prawns up to 24 hours in advance store refrigerated in an airtight container. The sauce ingredients can be mixed together and stored separately. When ready to eat simply proceed with cooking which will take just 5 minutes with prepped ingredients.

Customizing Heat Levels

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability especially regarding spice levels. For a milder version reduce the chili crisp to just half a teaspoon and use a less spicy sweet chili sauce. If you prefer food that brings tears to your eyes increase the chili crisp to a full tablespoon and add a finely diced fresh chili to the aromatic base.

Storage And Reheating

If you happen to have leftovers store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium low heat just until warmed through. Be careful not to reheat too aggressively as the prawns will become tough. A splash of water added during reheating helps revive the sauce.

Common Queries

→ Can I use frozen prawns?

Yes, thaw the prawns completely and pat them dry before cooking to prevent extra moisture in the pan.

→ What vegetables pair best with this dish?

Sauteed bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli complement the prawns well. Add your favorite fresh vegetables.

→ Can I substitute the vegetarian oyster sauce?

You can use soy sauce with a little hoisin or mushroom sauce as an alternative for a similar savory depth.

→ How do I prevent the prawns from becoming rubbery?

Avoid overcooking by watching for the prawns to turn pink and curl; remove from heat as soon as they're opaque.

→ Is this dish spicy?

The level of spice depends on the chili crisp and sweet chili sauce. Reduce or add more to suit your taste buds.

→ What sides work well?

Serve alongside steamed rice, brown rice, noodles, or as lettuce cups for a lighter version.