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There is something wonderfully vibrant and satisfying about this Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe that makes it a standout weeknight favorite. Picture tender prawns dancing alongside crisp broccolini and sweet snow peas, all coated in a glossy, savory sauce bursting with layers of soy, oyster, and a touch of fragrant sesame oil. This dish comes together quickly, yet tastes like you spent hours perfecting it, offering a delightful balance of textures and fresh flavors that will have you coming back for seconds without hesitation.

Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find that the simplicity of these ingredients is precisely what makes the Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe so irresistible. Each item plays a crucial role, contributing to the dish’s beautiful balance of color, crunch, and deep savory notes.
- Light soy sauce: Adds a mild saltiness and umami depth; easily swapped with all-purpose soy sauce if needed.
- Chinese cooking wine: Lends a subtle sweetness and complexity, with Mirin or dry sherry standing in as excellent substitutes.
- Oyster sauce: Brings that luscious, rich flavor that binds everything together perfectly.
- Sesame oil (toasted): Just a dash for a warm, nutty aroma that elevates the dish.
- Cornflour/cornstarch: Thickens the sauce into a silky coat over your veggies and prawns.
- White pepper: A gentle heat that doesn’t overpower; black pepper works if that’s what you have.
- Water: Helps mellow the sauce and achieve the perfect consistency.
- Peanut, canola, or vegetable oil: For stir-frying with a neutral taste and high smoke point.
- Medium prawns: Peeled and deveined, these juicy prawns provide protein and a tender bite.
- Onion (brown or white): Adds a subtle sweetness and texture.
- Fresh ginger: Finely julienned for a sharp, invigorating zing.
- Garlic: Minced to infuse the dish with aromatic warmth.
- Broccolini: Trimmed and cut just right to maintain its crisp-tender bite and beautiful green color; regular broccoli works too.
- Snow peas: Thinly stripped of strings to keep their natural sweetness and crunch front and center.
How to Make Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe
Step 1: Steam the Broccolini
Start by steaming your broccolini just until it’s crisp-tender, around 2 to 3 minutes. This gentle steaming kick-starts the cooking process and ensures that it retains its vibrant green color and delicate crunch, which will continue cooking later in the stir fry. Once it’s done, set it aside to drain and dry, so it won’t add extra moisture to your skillet.
Step 2: Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce
Next, gather your sauce ingredients except for the water, mixing them in a bowl until the cornflour is completely dissolved. Stir in the water at the end to loosen the sauce. This mixture will thicken perfectly later, coating your prawns and vegetables with a glossy finish that enhances all the flavors.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
Heat your oil in a wok or large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Spread the prawns in a single layer and cook them for about 1 1/2 minutes on one side, then flip for an additional minute until they’re just cooked through. Remember, the goal is lightly golden prawns, not overdone, so they stay juicy and tender. Remove them from the pan and set aside with any juices—they add great flavor when folded back in later.
Step 4: Sauté Onion, Garlic, and Ginger
Add a splash more oil if your pan looks dry, then toss in the sliced onion. Cook it for about a minute until it starts softening but before it gets any color. Then stir in the finely julienned ginger and chopped garlic, cooking everything together for another minute to release those mouthwatering aromas that form the base of this stir fry’s wonderful fragrance.
Step 5: Add Snow Peas and Broccolini
Throw in the snow peas first, tossing them in the oil and aromatics so they get coated evenly. Right after, add the broccolini and give everything a good toss. These crisp veggies bring sweet, green freshness that balances perfectly with the savory prawns and sauce.
Step 6: Pour in the Sauce and Thicken
Give your sauce one last stir to mix any cornflour that’s settled at the bottom, then pour it into the skillet. Keep stirring as the sauce quickly thickens to a luscious syrupy texture, draping every ingredient in a shiny, flavor-packed coat. This step unifies all the flavors while giving the dish an irresistible glossy appeal.
Step 7: Return Prawns to the Pan
Add the prawns back into the skillet along with their juices, tossing everything together gently for about 30 seconds so the prawns warm through again and pick up the sauce’s lovely coating. This final touch ensures a harmonious medley of flavors and textures in every bite.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once your Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe is ready, serve it piping hot alongside fluffy rice. The pairing is simple but perfect, allowing the stir fry’s vibrant flavors to shine, while the rice soaks up every last bit of that savory sauce.
How to Serve Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe

Garnishes
To make each plate pop, try a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a handful of freshly chopped spring onions on top. These simple garnishes add crunch, color, and extra bursts of flavor that elevate the dish from delicious to unforgettable.
Side Dishes
While the stir fry is a full meal on its own, pairing it with a light cucumber salad or some pickled vegetables complements the rich sauce brilliantly by adding a crisp, fresh contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stir fry in warm lettuce cups or atop steamed noodles instead of rice. This adds variety and turns the meal into an exciting shareable feast, perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners that feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The prawns may release some moisture, so draining off any liquid before reheating helps keep the texture spot on.
Freezing
Freezing is possible but not ideal for this dish because the vegetables tend to lose their crispness. If needed, freeze in a sealed container for up to one month, but be aware the texture may be softer upon thawing.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat just until warmed through to avoid overcooking the prawns and making the vegetables mushy. A few quick stirs will refresh your leftovers while keeping the integrity of the dish intact.
FAQs
Can I use regular broccoli instead of broccolini?
Absolutely! Regular broccoli works perfectly well in this recipe; just cut it into similar-sized pieces and steam until crisp-tender. The flavor is slightly different but equally delicious.
What kind of prawns should I use?
Medium-sized raw, peeled, and deveined prawns are ideal as they cook quickly and absorb the sauce well. Feel free to use fresh or frozen, just adjust cooking time if needed.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for this stir fry?
Yes! Substitute the prawns with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based option. Use vegetable oyster sauce or mushroom sauce to keep that rich, umami flavor.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely, the stir fry sauce can be mixed and stored in the fridge for up to a day. Just give it a good stir before pouring it into the pan, as the cornflour may settle at the bottom.
What’s the best type of oil to use for stir-frying?
Oils with a high smoke point like peanut, canola, or vegetable oil are best. They handle the high heat beautifully without smoking or imparting unwanted flavors.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe is like giving yourself a small daily gift of flavor and nutrition wrapped in one speedy, stunning meal. Whether you’re looking for a bright dish to impress or just a tasty dinner fix, this recipe hits every mark with freshness, ease, and pure joy in every bite. Go ahead and give it a whirl—you’ll be so glad you did!
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Prawn Stir Fry with Broccolini and Snow Peas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
A quick and delicious Prawn Stir Fry featuring tender prawns, crisp broccolini, and fresh snow peas in a flavorful soy-based sauce, perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner served with rice.
Ingredients
Stir Fry Sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce (substitute with all-purpose soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (substitute with Mirin or dry sherry)
- 2 tsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch
- 3/4 cup water
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil (peanut, canola, or vegetable)
- 250g / 8 oz medium prawns, raw, peeled, and deveined (equivalent to 500g/1lb whole prawns)
- 1/2 onion, sliced (brown or white)
- 2 tsp ginger, finely julienned (~2cm / 0.7″ piece)
- 2 tsp garlic, finely chopped (~2 cloves)
- 1 1/2 bunches broccolini, trimmed and cut into 5cm / 2″ lengths (~1 1/2 cups, substitute with normal broccoli)
- 120g / 4 oz snow peas, thin strings removed from both sides
Instructions
- Steam broccolini: Steam broccolini until crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remember it will cook further during the stir fry. Set aside to drain and dry.
- Prepare stir fry sauce: In a bowl, combine all stir fry sauce ingredients except water. Mix well until cornflour dissolves, then stir in water to complete the sauce.
- Cook prawns: Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add prawns in a single layer and cook for 1 1/2 minutes, then turn and cook for another 1 minute until just cooked through without becoming too golden. Remove prawns and juices to a bowl and set aside.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger: If needed, add more oil to the pan. Still over medium-high heat, add onion and cook 1 minute, then add ginger and garlic and cook for another minute until the onion starts to soften but doesn’t brown.
- Add snow peas and broccolini: Toss snow peas in the pan to coat with oil, then add the steamed broccolini and toss everything together.
- Add sauce and thicken: Stir the stir fry sauce to recombine dissolved cornflour, pour into the skillet, and cook while stirring for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency and coats the vegetables nicely.
- Return prawns to the pan: Add the prawns and any juices back into the skillet. Toss everything together for another 30 seconds to warm the prawns through.
- Serve: Serve the prawn stir fry hot with steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use all-purpose soy sauce if light soy is not available.
- Substitute Chinese cooking wine with Mirin or dry sherry for similar flavor.
- Oyster sauce adds depth but can be adjusted to taste for saltiness.
- Toasted sesame oil provides a nutty aroma; add sparingly as it is potent.
- Ensure prawns are raw and peeled for best texture and quick cooking.
- Steaming broccolini before stir frying keeps vibrant color and crispness.
- Try not to overcook prawns to keep them tender and juicy.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice for an authentic meal.

