If you love big garlic flavor, buttery sauces, and a little heat, this Calabrian Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp and Green Bean Stir-Fry is going to become a fast favorite. This dish is a quick one-pot dinner recipe packed with juicy shrimp, crisp green beans, loads of fragrant garlic, and rich buttery sauce with the bold kick of Calabrian chili paste.
It’s the kind of simple weeknight meal that tastes like something from a restaurant but comes together in about 15 minutes in a single skillet. The sauce is silky, garlicky, and just spicy enough to keep you going back for another bite.
Serve it over rice, noodles, or just enjoy it straight from the skillet.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pot, minimal cleanup
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Packed with garlic butter flavor
- Perfect balance of heat and richness
- High-protein, veggie-packed dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional: red pepper flakes for extra heat
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or sliced green onions
How to Make Calabrian Chili Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry
1. Blanch the green beans
Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
(You can also skip this step and cook them slightly longer in the skillet if you prefer.)
2. Start the garlic butter
In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
3. Add the Calabrian chili
Stir in the Calabrian chili paste and cook for another 30 seconds, letting it bloom in the butter and garlic.
The kitchen will smell incredible at this point.
4. Cook the shrimp
Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
Cook 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
5. Add the green beans
Add the green beans to the skillet along with:
- soy sauce
- black pepper
- salt
Toss everything together so the beans and shrimp get coated in that spicy garlic butter sauce.
6. Finish the sauce
Squeeze in the lemon juice and toss one last time.
Taste and adjust heat with extra chili paste or red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp
Use large shrimp. They stay juicier and hold up better in the sauce.
Don’t overcook shrimp. They cook very fast—once pink and curled, they’re done.
Bloom the chili paste in butter. This step deepens the flavor and distributes the heat through the whole dish.
Fresh green beans are best. They stay crisp and bright.
Serving Ideas
This buttery spicy shrimp stir-fry pairs beautifully with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Garlic butter noodles
- Fried rice
- Crusty bread to soak up the sauce
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or butter to loosen the sauce.
Calabrian Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp and Green Bean Stir-Fry
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 SERVINGS 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This Calabrian chili garlic butter shrimp stir-fry with green beans is the ultimate quick dinner recipe. Loaded with garlic, rich buttery sauce, and spicy chili flavor, it’s perfect served over rice and ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1–2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional Garnish
parsley, chopped
red pepper flakes
lemon slices
Optional for Serving
steamed white rice
Instructions
-
Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the green beans for about 2–3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
-
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted.
-
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
-
Stir in the Calabrian chili paste and cook briefly to bloom the flavor in the butter.
-
Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
-
Add the green beans, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together so the shrimp and beans are coated in the garlic butter sauce.
-
Finish by stirring in the fresh lemon juice.
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Serve immediately over steamed rice and garnish with parsley, lemon slices, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
-
Do not overcook shrimp — they cook very quickly.
-
Calabrian chili paste adds a mild fruity heat that pairs perfectly with garlic butter.
-
You can substitute snap peas or broccoli for the green beans.
-
For extra sauce to drizzle over rice, add an extra tablespoon of butter.
- Prep Time: 10 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 10 MINUTES
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: ITALIAN INSPIRED
FAQs
What is Calabrian chili paste?
Calabrian chili paste is an Italian chili condiment made from crushed Calabrian peppers, oil, and salt. It has a fruity heat and adds incredible depth to sauces and stir-fries.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so the shrimp sear instead of steaming.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. This recipe works great with:
- bell peppers
- snap peas
- broccoli
- zucchini
Final Thoughts
This Calabrian Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp and Green Bean Stir-Fry is proof that simple ingredients can create huge flavor. With buttery garlic sauce, tender shrimp, crisp green beans, and bold chili heat, it’s an easy one-pot meal that feels special but takes almost no effort.
It’s the perfect recipe for busy nights when you want something quick, comforting, and packed with flavor.
