Quick Shrimp Pad Krapow
Craving bold, spicy flavors but too exhausted to cook a complex feast? This 15-minute fix is for you.
When the day feels long and your energy is low, sometimes the only thing you want is a meal that packs a serious punch of flavor without the fuss. This Shrimp Pad Krapow is my go-to 'I can't believe I just made this' dinner for those nights when decision fatigue hits hard. It combines succulent shrimp with a spicy kick and aromatic basil in one quick pan, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction. You'll love the way the garlic and chili mingle with the savory soy sauce to create that addictive Thai street-food vibe. It’s fast, bold, and perfect for when you need a win before bed. The secret is the high heat—it sears the shrimp just enough to keep them snappy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 0.5 lb shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 4 unit garlic cloves — minced
- 2 unit Thai bird's eye chilies — finely chopped (omit for less heat)
- 1 cup fresh holy basil or Thai basil — roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp oil
Method
- 1 Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- 2 Add the minced garlic and chopped chilies. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3 Toss in the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
- 4 Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- 5 Remove from heat and fold in the basil leaves. Let sit for 1 minute so the basil wilts slightly into the sauce.
- 6 Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles.
Variations
- Tofu Swap — Replace the shrimp with 14 oz of extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed.
- Mild Version — Omit the bird's eye chilies and use a pinch of red pepper flakes instead for a milder heat.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a teaspoon of fish sauce. If you can't find Thai holy basil, regular Italian basil works in a pinch but won't have that specific peppery note.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — Provides enough surface area to sear the shrimp and wilt the basil quickly.
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