Sizzling Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry: Your Go-To High-Protein Skillet Dinner!
Do you ever have those evenings where you crave something incredibly satisfying, bursting with flavor, yet quick enough for a busy weeknight? I know I do! Just last month, after a particularly long Monday, I found myself staring blankly into the fridge. My usual go-to meals felt uninspiring, and I needed something truly special to lift my spirits.
That’s when I remembered my best friend’s mom’s “clean out the fridge” stir-fry. It was always a delightful surprise, and I decided to take inspiration from her philosophy, elevating it with some fantastic protein. What emerged from my kitchen that night was this glorious Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry (High-Protein Skillet) – a true revelation that instantly became a new family favorite. It’s the perfect easy dinner to bring comfort and incredible taste to your table without hours of effort.
This recipe has been thoroughly tested and tweaked to perfection, ensuring every bite is a harmonious blend of tender steak, succulent shrimp, and crisp-tender vegetables, all coated in a savory, slightly sweet stir-fry sauce. It’s truly a game-changer for anyone looking for a high-protein meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor or convenience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
❤️ Here’s why this Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry will quickly become a cherished part of your meal rotation:
- Unbeatable Flavor Profile: Each mouthful explodes with a savory, umami-rich sauce, perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness and a touch of ginger and garlic. It’s vibrant, fresh, and deeply satisfying.
- High-Protein Powerhouse: Combining lean steak and succulent shrimp delivers a fantastic protein punch, keeping you feeling full, energized, and satisfied for hours. This is ideal for active lifestyles or anyone looking to boost their protein intake.
- Lightning-Fast Dinner: While the flavors are complex, the actual cooking process is incredibly quick, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table in a flash.
- Packed with Nutrients: We load this skillet with a colorful array of fresh vegetables like crisp broccoli and vibrant bell peppers, ensuring you get a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber in every serving.
- Customizable to Your Liking: Don’t have broccoli? Swap it for snap peas! Prefer more spice? Add some red pepper flakes! This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences and what you have on hand.
- One-Pan (or Skillet) Wonder: Everything comes together in a single skillet or wok, which means minimal cleanup! Less time scrubbing pots, more time enjoying your delicious creation.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This dish tastes just as fantastic the next day, making it an excellent candidate for meal prepping healthy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Simply store it in airtight containers.
- Family-Friendly Appeal: The flavors are universally loved, making this a hit with both adults and kids. It’s a great way to get everyone excited about eating their vegetables.
- Impressive Presentation: With its vibrant colors and beautiful medley of ingredients, this stir-fry looks absolutely stunning on the plate, making it perfect for a casual family meal or even entertaining guests.
- Budget-Friendly Options: While steak and shrimp can feel luxurious, you can easily adjust quantities or choose more economical cuts of steak or smaller shrimp to fit your budget without sacrificing flavor.
What You Need to Make This Delicious Stir-Fry
You only need a few simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients for this incredible high-protein stir-fry! We’re talking tender steak, juicy shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a handful of common Asian-inspired condiments to create that irresistible sauce. Check the full printable recipe card below for detailed measurements and a complete list of everything you’ll need.
Expert Tips
💡 To ensure your Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry turns out perfectly every single time, here are my top expert tips:
- Prep Everything Ahead (Mise en Place): Stir-frying is a very fast cooking method. Once you start, there’s no time to chop vegetables or mix sauce. Have all your ingredients prepped, chopped, and measured, and your sauce whisked and ready to go before you even turn on the heat. This is crucial for success!
- Marinate the Steak: Even a short 15-20 minute marinade makes a huge difference in the tenderness and flavor of your steak. It helps to break down the fibers slightly and infuses the meat with savory notes. Don’t skip this step if you have time!
- Slice Steak Against the Grain: For maximum tenderness, always slice your beef thinly against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers, making each bite much easier and more pleasant to chew.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is arguably the most important tip for stir-frying. If you add too much food to your skillet or wok at once, the temperature will drop rapidly, and the ingredients will steam instead of sear. Cook the steak in batches until beautifully browned, then remove it. Do the same with the shrimp.
- High Heat is Key: Stir-frying demands high heat. This ensures a quick cook, crisp-tender vegetables, and a beautiful sear on your proteins. If your pan isn’t hot enough, your food will become soggy.
- Cook Proteins Separately: As mentioned above, cook your steak first, remove it, then cook your shrimp, remove it. Add them back in at the very end to combine with the sauce and vegetables. This prevents overcooking and ensures both proteins are perfectly done.
- Blanch or Steam Harder Vegetables: For vegetables like broccoli or carrots, a quick blanch or steam for 1-2 minutes before adding to the stir-fry can ensure they are perfectly crisp-tender without having to cook them for too long in the pan.
- Thicken Your Sauce: Cornstarch slurry is your best friend here. It thickens the sauce beautifully, making it cling to all the ingredients for a rich, glossy coating. Make sure to whisk the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to prevent lumps.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always taste your stir-fry. Does it need more salt, a splash of lime juice, a touch more sweetness, or a dash of heat? Adjust to your preference.
- Use the Right Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. Olive oil is not ideal for high-heat stir-frying.
- Keep Stirring: As the name suggests, “stir-fry” means constant stirring! This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking or burning, especially at high temperatures.
Creative Variations & Easy Substitutions
One of the best things about stir-fries is their incredible flexibility! You can easily adapt this Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry to suit your dietary needs, pantry staples, or simply your cravings.
- Different Proteins:
- Chicken & Shrimp: Swap the steak for bite-sized chicken pieces (thighs or pieces work well).
- Pork & Shrimp: Use thinly sliced pork tenderloin or pork loin.
- Tofu & Shrimp (or just Tofu for vegetarian): Press extra-firm tofu, cut into cubes, and pan-fry until crispy before adding.
- Vegetable Power-Up:
- Add snow peas, sugar snap peas, mushrooms, water chestnuts, baby corn, or shredded cabbage.
- For a spicier kick, toss in some thinly sliced jalapeños or serrano peppers.
- Swap bell peppers for other colorful options like yellow or orange.
- Sauce Swaps & Enhancements:
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Spicier: Add a teaspoon of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Sweeter: A touch more honey or brown sugar can balance the savory notes.
- Tangier: A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end can brighten the flavors.
- Peanut Butter: For a creamy, nutty sauce, whisk in a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter with a little extra water or broth.
- Low-Carb/Keto Friendly:
- Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice.
- Ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free (tamari) as some brands contain wheat, and use a sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia in the sauce if desired.
- Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or cashews just before serving for added texture and flavor.
- Noodle Stir-Fry: Instead of rice, toss the finished stir-fry with cooked lo mein or ramen noodles for a complete noodle dish.
Keeping Your Stir-Fry Fresh: Storage & Freezing Tips
This Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry is fantastic fresh, but it also makes for wonderful leftovers! Here’s how to store it properly to enjoy it later:
- Refrigeration: Allow the stir-fry to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat portions in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it, though the vegetables might lose some of their crispness. Add a splash of water or broth if it seems a little dry during reheating.
- Freezing: While technically possible, stir-fries with shrimp and crisp vegetables don’t always freeze and thaw perfectly, as the shrimp can become a bit rubbery and the veggies mushy. If you choose to freeze, store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. It’s often better to freeze just the steak and sauce if you plan on making a large batch for future use, and then add fresh shrimp and veggies when ready to cook.
- Food Safety First: Always ensure leftovers are heated thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry
Q: What’s the best cut of steak for stir-fry?
A: For stir-fries, you want a cut that cooks quickly and stays tender. Flank steak, skirt steak, sirloin, or even filet mignon (if you’re feeling fancy!) are excellent choices. Look for cuts that are lean and easy to slice thinly against the grain.
Q: How do I prevent my shrimp from becoming rubbery?
A: The key to perfectly cooked, tender shrimp is to not overcook them. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. I recommend cooking them separately in batches and removing them from the pan as soon as they’re done, adding them back only at the very end to warm through with the sauce.
Q: Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Whisking the stir-fry sauce ingredients together ahead of time is a great time-saver. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just give it a good whisk again before adding it to the pan.
Q: What are good side dishes to serve with this stir-fry?
A: This stir-fry pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides! Classic options include steamed white or brown rice, cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative, or even a simple side salad with an Asian-inspired dressing. Noodles like lo mein or ramen also make a great accompaniment.
Q: My stir-fry sauce isn’t thickening. What did I do wrong?
A: A common culprit is not enough cornstarch or not heating the sauce sufficiently after adding the cornstarch slurry. Ensure your cornstarch slurry is made with cold water and vigorously whisked before adding. Once added, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, and it should thicken within a minute or two. If it’s still too thin, you can whisk together another small slurry (1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tsp cold water) and add it incrementally until desired thickness is reached.
Ready to Sizzle?
I genuinely hope this Steak and Shrimp Stir-Fry (High-Protein Skillet) brings as much joy and deliciousness to your table as it has to mine. It’s truly a testament to how quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful a homemade meal can be.
Don’t forget to give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. Your culinary adventures inspire me! And if you loved this recipe, be sure to Pin it for later so you can revisit this scrumptious stir-fry whenever a craving strikes!
Happy cooking, friends!
Sizzling Steak & Shrimp Stir-Fry: High-Protein Dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- For the Marinade:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- For the Stir-Fry Sauce:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1/4 cup chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)
- 2 tbsp high-heat cooking oil (e.g., peanut, canola)
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1 1. Marinate Steak: In a bowl, combine sliced steak with marinade ingredients. Let sit for at least 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients.
- Step 2 2. Prepare Sauce: Whisk together all stir-fry sauce ingredients (except cornstarch slurry) in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Step 3 3. Cook Steak: Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add half of the marinated steak in a single layer. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside. Repeat with remaining steak, adding more oil if needed.
- Step 4 4. Cook Shrimp: Add another 1/2 tbsp oil to the hot pan. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Step 5 5. Sautu00e9 Aromatics & Veggies: Add remaining 1/2 tbsp oil to the pan. Add sliced onion, broccoli florets, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6 6. Combine & Sauce: Return cooked steak and shrimp to the pan with the vegetables. Give the whisked sauce (from Step 2) a quick stir, then pour it over everything. Bring to a simmer. In a small cup, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients.
- Step 7 7. Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
