Easy 20 Minute Teriyaki Shrimp made with a homemade teriyaki sauce. A very simple dinner for a busy weeknight! Put it on rice or noodles to soak up all the tasty sauce.
If you like shrimp dishes that are quick and easy, try my Shrimp Fried Rice or my Kung Pao Shrimp.
I always eat shrimp when I need something quick. For quick meals like this, we eat a bag of frozen shrimp every day. They defrost so fast (more on this below) and are easy to cook up.
This Easy 20 Minute Teriyaki Shrimp is the perfect weeknight meal. It only takes minutes to make and tastes great! This shrimp is great as an appetizer or for dinner with rice and steamed vegetables.
I start by making a quick homemade teriyaki sauce. It’s much easier to make this at home and control the salt and sugar levels. I used the same homemade teriyaki sauce in my Easy Teriyaki Beef Meatballs and my Teriyaki Baked Salmon.
Teriyaki shrimp is a flavorful dish that combines succulent shrimp with a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. This Japanese-inspired meal comes together in just 20-30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. With a few simple tricks, you can make restaurant-quality teriyaki shrimp right at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Teriyaki sauce only requires a handful of ingredients to make from scratch
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Soy sauce – For the salty umami base. Use low-sodium if sodium is a concern.
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Rice vinegar – Contributes acidity and tang. Rice wine vinegar is ideal but white wine vinegar also works.
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Brown sugar – Sweetens the sauce, Honey can be substituted
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Ginger – Fresh grated ginger adds great flavor. Ground ginger is fine if you don’t have fresh.
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Garlic – Minced garlic provides aroma. Use 1-2 cloves.
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Sesame oil – Adds nuttiness
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Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce to a glossy consistency.
For the shrimp:
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Raw shrimp – Buy peeled, deveined extra large or jumbo shrimp.
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Vegetable oil – For sautéing the shrimp. Canola, olive, or avocado oil work well.
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Green onions – Optional garnish that adds crunch and color.
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Sesame seeds – Another optional garnish for texture.
Steps to Make Teriyaki Shrimp
Follow these simple steps for foolproof teriyaki shrimp every time:
1. Make the Teriyaki Sauce
First, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth. This will help thicken the sauce later on.
In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry while whisking constantly. Continue simmering and stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens up. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp
In a large skillet or wok, heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the raw shrimp in an even layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn opaque and pink. Be careful not to overcook.
3. Finish the Dish
Give the teriyaki sauce a final whisk and pour it into the skillet with the cooked shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce. Allow it to come to a gentle boil then remove from heat.
4. Serve Immediately
Plate the teriyaki shrimp over steamed rice if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Enjoy this tasty dish immediately for the best texture.
Handy Tips for Teriyaki Shrimp Success
Follow these tips and tricks for making irresistible teriyaki shrimp every time:
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Use extra large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture – smaller shrimp can become rubbery.
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Thaw frozen shrimp first in the fridge overnight or under cold running water to prevent a mushy texture.
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Pat shrimp dry thoroughly before cooking to prevent splattering.
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Cook shrimp just until opaque – overcooking makes them chewy.
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Use low-sodium soy sauce and add a splash of water to reduce saltiness.
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Adjust brown sugar to taste – add more for a sweeter teriyaki.
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Swap in honey if you don’t have brown sugar.
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Add a teaspoon of Sriracha for a spicy kick.
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Coat raw broccoli, peppers, or snap peas in sauce for extra veggies.
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Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for low-carb.
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Reheat gently the next day to avoid overcooking shrimp.
Favorite Ways to Enjoy Teriyaki Shrimp
Teriyaki shrimp is so versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Over steamed white or brown rice
- Stirred into fried rice or rice noodles
- Tossed with sautéed vegetables like broccoli and carrots
- Layered in lettuce wraps
- Added to noodle bowls with ramen or soba noodles
- Rolled up inside sushi
- Served as an appetizer with toothpicks
- Added to donburi rice bowls
- Topped on salads for an easy protein addition
- Served kebab-style on skewers with veggies
However you choose to enjoy it, teriyaki shrimp makes for a quick, flavorful meal that feels like you’re dining at a Japanese restaurant. In 20-30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-worthy dinner ready to enjoy. With a few simple tricks and a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce, it’s easy to make tender shrimp in a sweet and salty glaze any night of the week.
The Best Way to Defrost Shrimp
Believe it or not there is actually an optimal way to defrost shrimp to get the best texture and taste. If you are able to plan ahead allow shrimp to thaw out overnight in the refrigerator is the best way to defrost! According to Fine Cooking if you’re in need of a quick option you can place shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them and they should be defrosted in about 15 minutes!
How to make Teriyaki Shrimp
- In a medium saucepan, mix together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes. In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan. Simmer whisking constantly until sauce has thickened up, 1-2 minutes.
- Saute shrimp: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add shrimp and saute until fully cooked.
- Add teriyaki sauce to the shrimp and toss to coat.
- Serve: With green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Use individually frozen shrimp with the shell on. Individually frozen shrimp are easy to get the right amount of and won’t be frozen in one big lump.
- You can add green beans, broccoli, bell peppers, peas, or carrots to the sauce while the shrimp is cooking to make it
more healthy. - You can use your favorite meat or tofu instead of shrimp in this recipe if you don’t like shrimp.
Easy Teriyaki Shrimp
Can you make teriyaki sauce with cooked shrimp?
You can also make my homemade teriyaki sauce and add it to cooked shrimp and heat everything up. Cook shrimp in olive oil until pink, then add the sauce. Serve this dish with rice or noodles and steamed vegetables, like broccoli. You can use both kinds of shrimp in this recipe.
How long does teriyaki shrimp take to cook?
This Easy 20 Minute Teriyaki Shrimp is the perfect weeknight meal. It comes together in minutes and is so delicious! This shrimp makes an awesome appetizer or dinner with a side of steamed veggies and rice! I start by making a quick homemade teriyaki sauce. It’s much easier to make this at home and control the salt and sugar levels.
What is shrimp teriyaki?
Shrimp teriyaki is an easy shrimp stir fry that is sweet, slightly sticky, and glossy – just like your favorite takeout! It’s made with classic stir fry ingredients, along with a few sweet ingredients to give it that classic sweet and savory flavor. This recipe for shrimp teriyaki is made with simple ingredients:
Is teriyaki shrimp stir fry good?
This easy homemade Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry is a delicious Chinese dinner recipe that’s better than takeout. Packed with saucy shrimp, fresh vegetables, and flavorful teriyaki sauce, it’s served over rice for a deliciously homemade and irresistible meal for the whole family. WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?