If your freezer looks anything like mine, there’s always a bag of shrimp, a stir fry mix, and a little hope. This Shrimp Stir Fry Bowl is my lazy-mom version of the Trader Joe’s classic loaded with protein, full of flavor, and ready in under 20 minutes.
No chopping, no takeout guilt. Just grab a few frozen staples, toss it all in a pan, and dinner basically makes itself. And yes, it tastes just like the one from the Trader Joe’s box… maybe even better.
How to make Copycat Trader Joe’s Shrimp Stir Fry
Ingredients you will need
Shrimp: Trader Joe’s frozen raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) is perfect here. It cooks quickly and soaks up flavor beautifully. If you’re using the pre-cooked version, just reduce the cook time slightly to avoid rubbery shrimp.
Stir Fry Vegetables: The frozen Asian-style stir fry mix from Trader Joe’s includes broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and water chestnuts no prep needed. Just pour straight into the skillet.
Cooked Rice or Quinoa: Trader Joe’s frozen jasmine rice or brown rice pouches are ideal when time is tight. You can also use frozen quinoa for extra protein and fiber.
Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: Adds that savory, salty kick that ties the whole bowl together. Coconut aminos are great if you’re avoiding soy or want something a little sweeter.
Garlic + Ginger (optional): If you have them on hand, fresh or frozen garlic and ginger cubes from Trader Joe’s add depth and that takeout-style punch.
If you don’t have the spread, just sub in a little butter, garlic, and lemon.
Exact measurements and blending instructions are listed in the recipe card below.
Product images from Trader Joe’s are used for educational and illustrative purposes only to show the ingredients used in this homemade recipe. This content is not affiliated with or sponsored by Trader Joe’s
Step by step Instructions
1-Cook the shrimp: In a large nonstick skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add frozen shrimp straight from the bag. Cook 5–7 minutes, flipping once, until fully pink and opaque. Remove from pan and set aside.
2-Stir fry the veggies: In the same pan, pour in the frozen stir fry vegetable mix. Cook for 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp. Add garlic and ginger if using, and stir for 1 minute.
3-Add rice and sauce: Add cooked rice (or quinoa) directly to the pan with the veggies. Drizzle with soy sauce or coconut aminos and stir to combine. Let everything heat through for 2–3 minutes.
4-Add back the shrimp: Return the shrimp to the pan. Toss everything together until well coated and warmed through. Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
Equipment
- nonstick skillet for shrimp and stir fry
- Spatula for stirring
- bowl for serving
- knife (optional) if using fresh garlic or ginger
Ingredients
- 1 pack frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 pack Trader Joe’s frozen Asian-style stir fry vegetables
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive oil)
- 1 tsp fresh garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or omit)
- 1 cup cooked jasmine or brown rice (or quinoa)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add frozen shrimp straight from the bag. Cook 5–7 minutes, flipping once, until fully pink and opaque. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, pour in the frozen stir fry vegetable mix. Cook for 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp. Add garlic and ginger (if using), and stir for 1 minute.
- Add rice and sauce: Add cooked rice (or quinoa) directly to the pan with the veggies. Drizzle with soy sauce or coconut aminos and stir to combine. Let everything heat through for 2–3 minutes.
- Return the shrimp: Return the shrimp to the pan. Toss everything together until well coated and warmed through. Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
Notes
Nutrition
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
FAQ – Trader Joe’s Shrimp Stir Fry Bowl
1. What are the ingredients in Trader Joe’s stir fry sauce?
Trader Joe’s stir fry sauce typically includes soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and a little sweetness from sugar or honey. If you don’t have it, a mix of soy sauce and garlic with a splash of maple syrup or coconut aminos works well too.
2. Should you marinate shrimp before stir frying?
Not necessarily. Frozen shrimp already has great flavor, and with a flavorful stir fry sauce, a marinade isn’t needed. But if you have time, a quick 10-minute soak in soy sauce and garlic can boost flavor even more.
3. Can I get shrimp at Trader Joe’s?
Yes! Trader Joe’s has several great frozen shrimp options: raw, cooked, tail-on, and peeled. I like using their raw peeled and deveined shrimp for quick weeknight recipes like this one.
4. What is Trader Joe’s Soyaki sauce?
Soyaki is Trader Joe’s teriyaki-style sauce made with soy sauce, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, and a touch of pineapple juice. It’s perfect for stir fry bowls, marinades, or even drizzled over rice.
Shrimp Stir Fry Bowl: A Weeknight Win Straight from the Freezer
Some nights, we just need something fast, filling, and foolproof. This shrimp stir fry bowl hits all the marks flavorful, protein-packed, and made entirely from Trader Joe’s freezer staples. No fancy sauces. No stress. Just a simple, satisfying dinner you can feel good about. And the best part? It’s one of those rare recipes that feels like takeout, but actually fuels your day.
Keep a few key items stocked and this bowl will always have your back.
