Shrimp Stir Fry (Szechuan)

This Szechuan shrimp stir fry recipe is saucy, flavorful, and nutritious, too! Better than takeout, it comes together with just 10 ingredients and 20 minutes. You’re in for a quick, succulent meal everyone will love.

Healthy Szechuan shrimp stir fry takes only 20 minutes to make and so much better than takeout! Courtesy of Amy Dong

What Is Szechuan?

Also referred to as Sichuan or Szechwan, Szechuan is a type of Chinese cuisine that originates from the Sichuan province of southwestern China. Known for their spicy flavors, many Szechuan dishes incorporate liberal amounts of garlic and chili peppers. Furthermore, the cuisine incorporates a variety of cooking techniques including sautéing, stir-frying, dry braising, soaking in water, and frying. Some of the most common Szechuan recipes are twice-cooked pork, spicy chicken, fish-flavored pork shred, and Szechuan shrimp!

What’s The Difference Between Szechuan Shrimp And Hunan Shrimp?

Both Szechuan shrimp and Hunan shrimp are popular Chinese dishes containing shrimp coated in a spicy, flavorful sauce. However, this is where the similarities end as the cooking techniques and flavor profiles of each dish differ dramatically.

For example, Hunan shrimp is made with spicier, more savory flavors thanks to the garlicky sauce containing either chili oil or black bean paste. Meanwhile, Szechuan shrimp has a sweet and sour flavor thanks to the addition of vinegar and sugar added to the red pepper-based sauce.