Shrimp and asparagus stir fry in a pan

Simple stir fries that pair a protein with vegetables are my favorite type of meal for dinner, because you can cook it quickly in one pan. Served with steamed rice, it will be a nutritionally balanced meal that is super satisfying. For example, beef and Chinese broccoli, pork and cabbage, beef and celery, and chicken and broccoli. These are fast and simple dishes that you can easily whip up during a busy week.

Today I want to share this shrimp and asparagus stir fry, now that asparagus is in season. To bring out the flavor of shrimp and asparagus, this recipe uses ginger and a hearty white sauce to create a refreshing yet comforting dish. 

Shrimp and asparagus stir fry in a plate

Ingredients

When you’re ready to cook, your table should have:

  • Sliced asparagus and carrot
  • Marinated shrimp
  • Mixed sauce
  • Sliced ginger
Ingredients for making shrimp and asparagus
Shrimp and asparagus stir fry close up

I added a small amount of carrot to lend a bit of color to the dish. You can totally skip it as well.

For asparagus, you can cut it differently based on the size of the asparagus you get.

If you have thicker stemmed asparagus, you can slice it at a 45 degree angle and keep the pieces short. If the asparagus is thin and long, you can cut it without tilting your knife.

How to make shrimp and asparagus stir fry

Making shrimp and asparagus is super simple:

  1. Sear the shrimp in a hot pan
  2. Remove the shrimp when they are just cooked through
  3. Gently saute the ginger
  4. Cook the carrot
  5. Cook the asparagus
  6. Add the sauce and add back the cooked shrimp
How to cook shrimp and asparagus step-by-step

NOTE:

Depending on the thickness of the asparagus you use, the cooking time can vary quite a bit. The best way to test the doneness is to taste the asparagus every minute or so, and cook it until al dente. It will continue to cook a bit more after you add the sauce.

Homemade shrimp and asparagus served in a plate

How to serve shrimp and asparagus

Like I mentioned above, you can serve shrimp and asparagus with steamed rice as a meal.

If you prefer a multi-course dinner, here are some other easy dishes you can cook and serve with it:

Chinese Cooking Made Easy

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A quick and easy shrimp and asparagus stir fry featuring juicy shrimp and crisp asparagus brought together with a traditional Chinese white sauce and fragrant aromatics. It is perfect for dinner during a busy week.

Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

By Maggie Zhu
4 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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A quick and easy shrimp and asparagus stir fry featuring juicy shrimp and crisp asparagus brought together with a traditional Chinese white sauce and fragrant aromatics. It is perfect for dinner during a busy week.
To make the dish gluten-free, use dry sherry to replace Shaoxing wine.

Ingredients 

Marinating

  • 1 lb (450 g) shrimp , peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Stir fry

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 thumb ginger , sliced
  • 1 small carrot , sliced
  • 1 small batch (1 lb / 450 g) asparagus , tough ends removed and cut to bite size pieces

Instructions

  • Add the shrimp and the rest of the marinating ingredients into a medium-sized bowl. Mix well and allow to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
  • Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the shrimp and spread it out into a single layer without overlapping. Cook until the bottom turns golden, 1 minute or so. Flip to cook the other side until just cooked, 1 minute or so. Transfer the shrimp to a large plate.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and ginger. Stir a few times to release fragrance. Add the carrot. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until just softened.
  • Add the asparagus. Cook until just starting to soften, 1 minute or so.
  • Stir the sauce again to fully dissolve the cornstarch and pour it into the pan. Add back the cooked shrimp. Stir a few times until it thickens.
  • Return the shrimp to the pan and stir to coat everything well. Transfer everything to a big plate and serve hot as a main dish.

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 247kcal, Carbohydrates: 15.2g, Protein: 27.3g, Fat: 8.9g, Saturated Fat: 1.8g, Cholesterol: 224mg, Sodium: 491mg, Potassium: 495mg, Fiber: 2.8g, Sugar: 6.8g, Calcium: 130mg, Iron: 3mg

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