Exploring low-carb meals is easy thanks to this amazing Keto Thai Basil Shrimp recipe that’s full of flavor and absolutely delicious!
If you’re looking to eat different meat alternatives or simply in the mood to include some variety in your menu, experimenting with shrimp is the way to go. Not only are they quite easy to cook, but they taste great in different recipes – and this Thai basil shrimp stir fry is no exception.
Try it with Veggie Fried Rice for a great Asian experience, or serve it with Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables for the added nutrient boost.
Fried shrimp recipes are delicious and well worth the effort, even if you’re very conscious of your daily carbohydrate intake. With just some simple steps, you’re on your way to creating this amazing meal in the comfort of your own home!
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What Is A Keto Diet?
You’ve probably heard of this buzzword, especially from health-conscious people.
The Keto diet or ketogenic diet involves people eating food low in carbohydrates but high in fats. This way, they can put their bodies in a metabolic state referred to as “ketosis,” which happens when there’s a limited supply of glucose in the body that’s normally supplied by carbohydrate-rich foods.
While in ketosis, their bodies become extra efficient at burning stored fat. This helps people lose weight while also improving their health at the same time.
That’s why this diet is so popular! People practicing the keto diet can still eat food without counting calories or extremely limiting their food intake – which is what most other diets require.
If you’re wondering if shrimp is keto-friendly, the answer is yes. This seafood is virtually free of carbohydrates and is also low in fat and calories. So, if you’re looking for amazing, keto-friendly recipes, cooking with shrimp is one way to go about it!
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Keto Thai Basil Shrimp or Pad Krapow Kung will probably become one of your go-to healthy weeknight recipes for the following reasons:
- Healthy and low in carbohydrates: This recipe only has 3 net carbs per serving. Plus, with shrimp as its main ingredient, you’ll surely get a hearty, delicious meal with high protein, vitamins, and mineral content!
- Ready in under an hour: All you need is about 40 minutes of your busy day to prepare and cook this dish!
- Easy to make: You will only need to mix the ingredients in a skillet to create this meal. There’s no need to be intimidated, even if you’re a novice cook! Soon, you’ll serve this dish to your family like a total kitchen pro!
If you have extra shrimp at home, you’re welcome to try this Shrimp Sheet Pan Fajitas Recipe for another delicious dinner option.
🥘 Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll need for this stir-fry recipe are easy to get. To make this recipe, you will need:
- Shrimp: The main star of this dish. You can use fresh or frozen if you don’t have fresh ones on hand, but be sure to defrost them first. This will ensure they will be cooked all the way through, and you won’t end up with shrimp cooked on the outside and raw on the inside.
- Fresh Thai Basil Leaves: To give this dish its authentic Asian twist, we will use Thai Basil. This basil has a licorice-like, anise flavor and is a great addition to food like Pho, spring rolls, and curry. You can get it from an Asian store or the international aisle in supermarkets.
- Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute: Swerve brown sugar substitute is the “ultimate sugar replacement.” It has zero net carbs, making it a fantastic addition to keto-friendly meals that call for a touch of sweetness.
See the recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🔀 Substitutions
- Large shrimps: We will use large-sized versions of the seafood for this recipe. However, you can use medium-sized ones if that is what you have.
- Thai Basil: Use regular basil if you can’t find Thai basil or any of these substitutes.
🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Want to make this recipe with your own creative spin? Try the following:
- Make it sweeter: Adding 1 tablespoon of honey to the sauce can give this dish a sweeter flavor profile that’s perfect for kids.
- Add more vegetables: Throw in different vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, green beans, or Bok Choy to this dish to make an easy shrimp-and-veggie combination.
- Make it flaming hot: Add more serrano peppers or add chili paste to the mix to make a spicy shrimp recipe!
- Go citrusy: Want to add a touch of citrus to this recipe? Add a bit of lime juice!
- Go authentic Thai: If you’re looking for that authentic Thai dish taste, add some fish sauce to this dish. If you can find Thai fish sauce, that’s better, but regular fish sauce works well, too.
In the mood for more seafood recipe ideas that are perfect for busy weeknights? This Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi is among my most loved dinner options.
🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
To make this popular Thai shrimp dish, you will need:
- 1 Small Bowl: You’ll need this for mixing the sauce.
- Skillet: This is what you’ll use to cook the dish.
- Knife: Useful for chopping and cutting your ingredients into strips.
🔪 How to Make Keto Thai Basil Shrimp
With your ingredients and tools in place, it’s time to get started! Here are the quick and easy steps to make your delicious recipe.
Step 1: Prep the ingredients
Make sure to peel, devein, and take the tails off the fresh shrimp. Chop the Thai basil, green onion, and serrano peppers. Also, slice the red bell pepper into thin strips and mince the garlic.
Step 2: Start Making the Sauce
Begin making the sauce by pouring the soy sauce into a bowl.
Step 3: Pour the Oyster Sauce
Next, add the oyster sauce.
Step 4: Add the Brown Sugar Substitute
Add Swerve (the brown sugar substitute) to the small bowl with the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
Step 5: Add Minced Garlic and Mix
Then, put the minced garlic in the bowl. Mix all these ingredients well.
Step 6: Start Cooking the Shrimp
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the shrimp to the frying pan.
Step 7: Add the Red Bell Pepper
Add the bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the strips have softened and the shrimp is pink and cooked thoroughly.
Step 8: Add the Serrano Peppers
Place the Serrano Peppers into the skillet as well.
Step 9: Add the Green Onions
Next, add the green onions into the skillet.
Step 10: Add the Thai Basil
Add the Thai basil to the skillet. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 11: Add the Sauce
To finish the dish, pour the sauce over the shrimp mixture. Sauté for a minute or two.
Step 12: Plate and Serve
Place on a plate and serve while hot!
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Save yourself the inconvenience of cleaning shrimp, and buy frozen peeled and deveined shrimp instead.
- It’s best to thaw fresh shrimp overnight before cooking them the next day. However, you can also do it the fast way by putting the frozen seafood inside a zip-top bag, fully submerging it in water, and then leaving it for 20-30 minutes until completely thawed.
- This may be an easy recipe, but you have to watch out for how you cook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks easily, and perfectly cooked shrimp is juicy and tender. If undercooked, it is mushy, and the meat is translucent. If overcooked, the meat can be rubbery.
- The best way to cook shrimp is to cook shrimp without moving it (2 minutes – medium shrimp, 3 minutes – large shrimp, 4 minutes – jumbo shrimp). After that, flip the shrimp and toss until it is cooked through (1 minute – medium shrimp, 1-2 minutes – large shrimp, 2-3 minutes – jumbo shrimp).
- A wok is great for cooking stir-fry dishes. Use one if you have it at home!
❓ Recipe FAQs
You can tell whether it is cooked or uncooked thanks to its shape and color.
Uncooked shrimp look gray or translucent. However, cooked ones would look pinkish or orange, and you wouldn’t be able to see into them anymore.
So, if your shrimp still has spots of gray or looks translucent, chances are that they aren’t fully cooked yet.
Place leftovers inside an airtight container, then put them inside the refrigerator. It should be good for up to 3 days.
It’s best to smell and inspect them closely. If there’s any trace of a sour or ammonia-like smell or looks slimy and dull, then you know your shrimp has gone bad.
🙏 Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Keto Thai Basil Shrimp:
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📋 Recipe
Keto Thai Basil Shrimp
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Skillet or frying pan
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails off
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 red peppers sliced
- 2 serrano peppers deseeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons Swerve brown sugar substitute
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
Instructions
- Prep ingredients. Peel, devein and take the tails off your fresh shrimp. Chop your Thai basil, green onion, and serrano peppers. Mince garlic, and slice the red bell peppers into strips.
- Start making the sauce by pouring soy sauce into a small bowl.
- Add the oyster sauce.
- Add the Swerve sugar alternative.
- Add the minced garlic and mix all the ingredients well.
- Into a large skillet over medium-high heat goes the olive oil. Next, add the shrimp.
- Add the red bell peppers. Sauté until the red peppers have gone soft and the shrimp looks pink and cooked.
- Add the serrano peppers.
- Add the green onions.
- Add the Thai basil. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the sauce into the shrimp mixture and sauté for a minute or two to finish the dish.
- Place on a plate. Serve while hot.
Notes
- If you’re working with frozen shrimp, make sure that they’re already deveined and peeled to save on prep time.
- It’s best to thaw the shrimp overnight before cooking them the next day. However, you can also do it the fast way by putting the frozen seafood inside a zip-top bag, fully submerging it in water, and then leaving it for 20-30 minutes until completely thawed.
- This may be an easy recipe, but you have to watch out for how you cook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks easily, and perfectly cooked shrimp is juicy and tender. If undercooked, it is mushy, and the meat is translucent. If overcooked, the meat can be rubbery.
- The best way to cook shrimp is to cook shrimp without moving it (2 minutes-medium shrimp, 3 minutes-large shrimp, 4 minutes-jumbo shrimp). After that, flip the shrimp and toss until it is cooked through (1 minute-medium shrimp, 1-2 minutes-large shrimp, 2-3 minutes jumbo shrimp).
- A wok is great for cooking stir-fry dishes. Use one if you have it at home!