Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry

By Dr. Eric Berg DC

06/24/2024

Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry

Total Time: 20 to 25 minutes

Serves: 1

Per serving: 133 calories, 22 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates, 4 g fat

Ingredients

1 cup broccoli florets

2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp reserved

2 tsp ginger, minced

2 tsp garlic, minced

1 Tbsp green onion whites, thinly sliced

8 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed

1 Tbsp sesame seeds

2 Tbsp coconut aminos

1 Tbsp brown sugar-style monk fruit sweetener

Green onion tops, sliced

Directions:

Boil water in a small pot. Cook broccoli until tender, about 3 minutes. Strain and set aside.
Add 2 Tbsp of butter to a large sauté pan and melt over medium-high heat.
Add ginger, garlic, and green onion whites to pan and sauté until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid browning.
Move ingredients to one side of pan and add shrimp. Cook shrimp for about 3 minutes on each side or until color changes and shrimp browns slightly.
Add sesame seeds and cooked broccoli back to pan, stirring until seeds are toasted and coat all ingredients.
Reduce heat to low. Add coconut aminos and monk fruit sweetener, stirring until dissolved.
Turn off heat. Add remaining butter and stir to melt into ingredients.
To serve, remove shrimp with tongs onto plate. Pour sauce and vegetables on top of shrimp and garnish with green onions.

Recipe tips:

Fresh broccoli is best for a crunchier texture, though frozen can also be used. Toss frozen broccoli directly into boiling water without thawing.
If you prefer some heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes on stir fry before serving.
Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or place them in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes or until defrosted. Pat dry with a paper towel before cooking.
Avoid overcooking the shrimp to prevent them from drying out and becoming rubbery.
Add a splash of toasted sesame oil to melted butter for a nuttier flavor.
Rice vinegar can be added to introduce a mild acidic flavor that balances the sweetness of the shrimp.

Reimagine Asian cuisine on a low-carb diet with this Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry.

This recipe features wild-caught shrimp, sesame seeds, ginger, and brown sugar-style monk fruit for a nutty and tangy lunch or dinner option that won’t kick you out of ketosis.

Why you’ll love this keto-friendly recipe

This Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry recipe uses delicious low-carb substitutions to create a healthy keto-friendly recreation of an Asian cuisine staple.

Sugar is often used in stir fry to balance out salty, nutty, or acidic flavors. However, sugar is high on the glycemic index (GI), which means it quickly spikes blood and insulin levels.

Not only can blood sugar fluctuations kick you out of ketosis, but also lead to weight gain, cravings, mood swings, and fatigue.

This recipe calls for monk fruit sweetener, which has a GI of zero and won’t cause spikes and dips in blood sugar levels. This helps leave you satisfied while preventing carb and sugar cravings.

Traditional stir-fries are often made with seed oils such as peanut, canola, or grapeseed oil, which are high in omega-6 fatty acids that promote inflammation. This recipe uses nutrient-dense grass-fed butter that offers healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Additionally, coconut aminos are used instead of soy sauce, which contains anti-nutrients that can block the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Too much soy has also been found to have estrogenic effects. This means soy products may contribute to estrogen dominance, a hormonal imbalance that increases the risk of prostate problems in men and breast and uterine cancer in women.

This stir-fry shrimp recipe is versatile and can be paired with your favorite sautéed vegetables or other keto-friendly Asian-inspired dishes.

Raw shrimp on a plate

Health benefits of shrimp

Shellfish like shrimp are rich in vitamins and minerals, promoting overall health and well-being.

Shrimp is one of the best dietary sources of iodine, a trace mineral that helps produce thyroid hormones needed to support bone health, nerve function, and energy metabolism.

Iodine also plays a crucial role in growth and development. A study published in the Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal found that iodine deficiency is the leading preventable deficiency that can cause mental development problems in children.

Additionally, shrimp contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant effects. Astaxanthin is produced by microalgae that shrimp feed on, which gives them their unique pink hue.

This antioxidant has various advantages, such as supporting healthy skin, boosting the immune system, promoting vision, and helping fight against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

“Astaxanthin is 1,000 times more powerful than vitamin C,” explains Dr. Berg. “It’s anti-inflammatory and helps prevent chronic degeneration in the body, especially in the eyes and brain.”

Shrimp is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that supports eye and brain health. Omega-3 fats also reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes.

However, it’s crucial to choose quality, wild-caught shrimp, as imported or farm-raised options are often contaminated with antibiotics. Regularly consuming farmed shrimp can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and negatively impact the gut microbiome.

Cauliflower rice

What to serve with Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry

Shrimp stir fry is traditionally served with soba noodles, cooked rice, or rice noodles. However, these options are high in carbs, making them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.

Here are five low-carb side dishes that pair perfectly with this Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry recipe.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cauliflower rice is a staple for keto dieters and works well with various low-carb dishes.

This Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe is a delicious alternative to white or brown rice. Made with grated cauliflower, garlic, onions, carrots, and coconut aminos, it will blend seamlessly with the savory sweetness of keto shrimp stir fry.

Keto Sautéed Radishes with Green Beans

This Keto Sautéed Radishes with Green Beans recipe is a tasty, crunchy side dish that only takes 15 minutes to prepare.

Made with pine nuts and erythritol, this recipe has a pleasant nutty-sweet flavor that meshes well with the stir fry’s toasted sesame seeds and shrimp.

Keto Collard Green Spring Rolls

These Keto Collard Green Spring Rolls put a healthy and low-carb twist on the traditional Chinese dish. Made with a collard green wrap, red cabbage, carrots, and cucumber, each roll is loaded with fresh, health-promoting vegetables.

Paired with a creamy low-carb Thai peanut sauce, this recipe is a mouthwatering addition to any stir-fry dinner.

Keto Roasted Eggplant

With only five simple ingredients, this Keto Roasted Eggplant recipe is a quick and easy side dish perfect for busy days.

Tossed in garlic and onion powder and baked until crispy and golden, this dish will make you wonder why you don’t have eggplant more often.

Keto Roasted Cabbage Wedges

Are you looking to incorporate more cruciferous vegetables into your diet? Look no further than this Keto Roasted Cabbage Wedges recipe.

Made with Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar, these cabbage wedges pack a tangy punch that will complement the savory and sweet flavor profile of this sesame shrimp stir fry.

For a quick weeknight meal, you can also serve shrimp stir fry with sautéed spinach, bok choy, or snow peas, or enjoy alongside an Asian cucumber salad.

Shrimp stir fry in wok

Storing and reheating tips

After the dish is completely cooled, store leftover Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry in an airtight container for up to three days.

Avoid putting hot food in the refrigerator, as this encourages the growth of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, the leading causes of food poisoning.

To reheat, melt some butter in a pan on low to medium-low heat and sauté leftovers until heated through. Don’t reheat this stir fry in the microwave, as this will cause the broccoli to become mushy.

Alternatively, prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil and reheat the dish in the oven at 350 degrees F / 177 degrees C for 10 to 15 minutes or until warmed.

Key takeaways

This Keto Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry recipe uses shrimp, aromatic spices, sesame seeds, green onions, and monk fruit sweetener to create a delicious Asian-inspired meal that will keep you in ketosis.

Pair keto stir fry with Cauliflower Fried Rice, Keto Collard Green Spring Rolls, or your favorite low-carb vegetables for a whole-food-focused, keto-friendly meal.

FAQ

1. What is stir fry?

Stir-frying is a cooking technique that originated in China and is commonly used in many Asian cuisines, including Japanese, Thai, and Korean food cultures. It involves heating a wok or sauté pan to quickly fry meat, fish, seafood, or poultry with vegetables.

2. Is shrimp healthy?

Yes, shrimp is healthy for most people. They’re low in calories and rich in protein, antioxidants, and minerals, including zinc, selenium, and iodine. Shrimp also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation.

However, those with a shellfish allergy should avoid shrimp to prevent allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock symptoms.