Healthy Shrimp Stir-Fry (Gluten-Free)

This easy shrimp stir-fry recipe is a tasty dinner with lean protein and fresh vegetables–easy to prep for busy weeknights. Topped with a healthy gluten-free sauce that tastes better than anything store-bought, it’s one recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Loaded with a rainbow of highly nutritious veggies and anti-inflammatory ingredients, this stir-fry shrimp balances sweet, salty, umami, and spicy flavors for a deeply satisfying meal. It’s a healthier alternative to takeout, and leftovers taste even better the next day, making a fantastic option to reheat for lunch.

Plus, it’s easily adaptable for various allergies and special dietary requirements.

If you love easy shrimp dinners, try my Lemon Butter Sautéed Shrimp recipe next.

Shrimp Stir-Fry Ingredients

This recipe has many ingredients, but don’t let that intimidate you. They’re all readily available in most grocery stores.

• Shrimp – You’ll need 12-16 ounces of medium shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen shrimp works, but I typically use frozen. Thaw and rinse in cold water, and dry between layers of paper towels.

Gluten-Free Stir Fry Sauce

• Bragg Liquid Aminos – A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, this makes up the base of the stir-fry sauce. It gives everything a salty, umami flavor without the inflammatory attributes of traditional soy sauce.
• Gluten-Free Coconut Aminos – These add a slight sweetness to the sauce and cut the saltiness of the Bragg Aminos. Coconut Secret is a widely available gluten-free brand.
• Avocado Oil – One of the healthiest cooking oils, avocado oil has a mild flavor unless cooked on high heat. It’s not inflammatory, making it a healthy addition to the stir-fry sauce. You’ll use it to sauté the veggies, too.
• Tapioca Flour – Helps thicken the sauce so it sticks to the shrimp and veggies. If preferred, you can use arrowroot powder instead.
• Raw Honey or Pure Liquid Monk Fruit Drops – I prefer monk fruit drops to avoid added sugar and reduce inflammation and blood sugar spikes. It gives the sauce a touch of extra sweetness. Use raw honey if that’s better for you.
• Mild Chili Powder – I get mine from Savory Spice. It’s a blend of dried chilis, garlic, cumin, California paprika, and Mexican oregano, so it has a much more nuanced flavor than straight chili powder (and no heat).
• Red Pepper Flakes and Cayenne Powder – These spices add subtle heat to the sauce, making it much more satisfying. I can’t tolerate spicy food, so add more to taste if you like it hot.
• Fresh Garlic – Another flavor enhancer with anti-inflammatory properties.

Stir Fry Veggies

• Broccoli Florets – Fresh broccoli works best in this recipe because it has more texture. But in a pinch, a 16-ounce bag of frozen florets is fine.
• Sweet Bell Pepper – I recommend a red bell pepper for extra vitamin C, but an orange or yellow pepper work. Alternatively, 6-8 sweet mini peppers sliced into rings look gorgeous (that’s what I used here). Regardless, purchase organic peppers to limit pesticide exposure.
• Carrots – Rainbow carrots are my favorite but use any variety you like.
• Yellow Onion – One medium onion gives the stir-fry a nice savory flavor. Slice it parallel to the grain for thin half-moons.
• Fresh Cilantro – A handful of cilantro adds freshness at the end. It’s also a binder for heavy metals, so it’s great to eat with seafood to help the body detox any mercury from the fish.
• Black or White Sesame Seeds – These make a pretty (but optional) garnish to the finished stir-fry. You can toast them lightly in a skillet on the stove beforehand, but it’s not necessary.
• Toasted Sesame Oil – Sesame oil can be quite inflammatory, but a little bit won’t hurt. If you like, add a few dashes on each plate before serving for extra flavor. Just look for one that’s gluten-free and doesn’t contain artificial preservatives.

Many of the pantry ingredients above are available at a great price from the online grocer Thrive Market. [Enjoy 40% off your first box with my link].

See the recipe card below for quantities and complete instructions.

How to Stir-Fry Shrimp

Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best gluten-free shrimp stir-fry you’ll ever have:

1. If frozen, thaw the shrimp under hot water, rinse, and pat dry between layers of paper towels. Make sure they’re completely deveined.
2. In a large stovetop steamer or a steam oven, steam the broccoli until it’s easily pierced with a fork, but still a little firm, about 8-10 minutes. See below for the one-pot stir-fry method.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large 6.5-quart pot over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, carrots, and onion and stir-fry, stirring frequently, until just beginning to become tender, about 4-6 minutes. While the veggies cook, make the sauce.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the aminos, water, tapioca flour, avocado oil, sweetener of choice, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and chopped garlic until emulsified. Set aside.
5. Once the broccoli is steamed, add it to the pot of cooking veggies and stir to combine. Add the shrimp and stir-fry sauce to the pot and stir until everything is evenly coated. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are opaque, and the sauce thickens slightly; about 5 minutes.
6. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and sesame seeds into the shrimp stir-fry and toss to combine. Serve in warm bowls with a few dashes of toasted sesame oil. For a heavier meal, serve over brown rice.
7. Refrigerate leftovers in a glass container for up to 3 days.

One-Pot Shrimp Stir-Fry Method

Due to the sheer volume of vegetables, I find it’s easier to steam the broccoli separately. It cooks more evenly. However, if a one-pot shrimp stir-fry is easier for you, it only adds 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. You’ll need a minimum 6.5-quart pot with a lid.

Skip step two above and add the broccoli to the other veggies in step three. Stir, cover, and cook for about 12 minutes until the broccoli is easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. The steam from the onions will help cook the tougher veggies once covered.

Stir often as the sugars from the veggies will caramelize on the bottom of the pot. Add a splash of water or chicken stock to deglaze the pot if necessary.

Continue the recipe with step four.

Recipe Modifications

Food Allergies

• Omit the sesame seeds and sesame oil garnish if allergic.
• Chicken tastes just as good as shrimp for those with shellfish allergies. Use 1-1 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts or tenders cut into 1-inch pieces. Chicken takes a few minutes longer to cook, but not much.

Vegan Stir-Fry

• Use extra firm, organic tofu cut into ½” cubes in place of shrimp or chicken. Marinate the tofu in the sauce before adding to the veggies for the best flavor.

GERD

• Omit the pepper flakes and cayenne if spicy foods trigger reflux or heartburn.

Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe

Shrimp stir-fry is a versatile, gut-healthy meal that’s satisfying and delicious. Whether whipping it up for dinner or enjoying the leftovers the next day, the balance of flavors and textures makes it a dish worth repeating. With simple, gluten-free ingredients and endless customization options, it’s easy to adapt this recipe to suit your needs.

Healthy Shrimp Stir-Fry (Gluten-Free)

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• Author: Chelsea L. Allard
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stir-Fry, Steam
• Cuisine: Asian
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Try this easy shrimp stir-fry recipe loaded with fresh veggies and a homemade gluten-free sauce. It’s healthier (and tastier) than takeout. Modifications for special dietary preferences and allergens are included.

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Ingredients

12-16 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (thaw, rinse, and pat dry if frozen)

Stir-Fry Veggies:

1 pound broccoli florets, cut to bite-sized pieces

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 large, organic red bell pepper, chopped (or 6-8 sweet mini peppers sliced into rings)

2-3 large carrots, sliced on the bias to 1/8” pieces

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1 tablespoon black or white sesame seeds (optional)

Toasted sesame oil for garnish (optional)

For the Gluten-Free Stir-Fry Sauce:

2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos

2 tablespoons gluten-free coconut aminos (such as Coconut Secret)

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 tablespoon tapioca flour

1 tablespoon raw honey or 25-35 drops Pure Liquid Monk Fruit Drops

1 teaspoon mild chili powder blend

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder

3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from sleeping while you cook

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Instructions

Prep the Shrimp: If frozen, thaw the shrimp under hot water, rinse, and pat dry between layers of paper towels. Make sure they’re completely deveined.

Steam the Broccoli: In a large stovetop steamer or a steam oven, steam the broccoli until it’s easily pierced with a fork, but still a little firm, about 8-10 minutes. See notes below for the one-pot stir-fry method.

Stir-Fry the Veggies: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large 6.5-quart pot over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, carrots, and onion and stir-fry, stirring frequently, until just tender, about 4-6 minutes. While the veggies cook, make the sauce.

Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the aminos, water, tapioca flour, avocado oil, sweetener of choice, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and chopped garlic until emulsified. Set aside.

Cook the Shrimp: Once the broccoli is steamed, add it to the pot of cooking veggies and toss to combine. Add the shrimp and stir-fry sauce to the pot and stir until everything is evenly coated. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are opaque and the sauce thickens slightly; about 5 minutes.

Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and sesame seeds into the shrimp stir-fry and gently toss until incorporated. Serve in warm bowls with a few dashes of toasted sesame oil. For a heavier meal, serve over brown rice.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in a glass container for up to 3 days.

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Notes

See the full post above for alternative protein options, allergy modifications, and the one-pot stir-fry method.

You might also like my Easy Lemon Butter Sautéed Shrimp Recipe