If you’re a fan of seafood and love a little heat in your meals, this Seafood in Spicy Garlic Sauce will quickly become one of your favorites. It’s a perfect fusion of tender seafood, aromatic garlic, and bold sauces that coat every bite with layers of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, this recipe brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your home kitchen—without the fuss.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, tips to customize the heat and flavor, and how to serve this dish to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Packed with Flavor: A rich garlic base combined with spicy chili paste and sweet chili sauce creates a balanced, crave-worthy taste.
-
Quick to Make: It comes together in about 20–25 minutes from prep to plate.
-
Versatile: You can swap or add other seafood like scallops or clams, and adjust the heat level to your liking.
-
Restaurant-Worthy at Home: Impress your guests with a dish that looks and tastes gourmet, but doesn’t require hours of effort.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare Seafood in Spicy Garlic Sauce:
-
10 oz shrimp – cleaned and deveined
-
8 oz squid – sliced and cleaned
-
1 cup mussels
-
1/4 cup unsalted butter
-
5 cloves garlic – minced
-
1 tablespoon red chili paste (or Sriracha for a milder kick)
-
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
-
1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
-
1/2 cup green onions – sliced
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Seafood
Before anything hits the pan, make sure your seafood is cleaned and ready to go.
-
Shrimp: Devein and peel (tails on or off depending on your presentation preference).
-
Squid: Rinse thoroughly and slice into rings.
-
Mussels: Clean the shells and remove any beards. Discard any that are already open and don’t close when tapped.
Pro Tip: You can soak the mussels in cold salted water for 20 minutes to help them purge any sand.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Butter
In a large skillet or wok, melt the 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat.
Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it should be golden, not brown.
Step 3: Add the Sauces
Stir in the following:
-
1 tablespoon red chili paste or Sriracha
-
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
-
1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
Mix thoroughly and let the sauces simmer for 1–2 minutes with the garlic-butter base. This helps all the flavors infuse and slightly thicken the mixture.
Smell check: By now, your kitchen should be filled with the rich aroma of garlic and chili!
Step 4: Cook the Seafood
Add the shrimp and squid to the pan and stir-fry them in the sauce for about 3–4 minutes, or until the shrimp starts to turn pink.
Then, toss in the mussels and cover the pan for about 4–5 minutes, allowing the steam to open up the mussels and finish cooking the rest of the seafood.
Important: Discard any mussels that haven’t opened after cooking.
Step 5: Add Green Onions and Toss
Once the seafood is fully cooked, add the sliced green onions and stir gently to combine.
Let it cook uncovered for another minute, allowing the onions to soften just slightly while still keeping their freshness and crunch.
Serving Suggestions
This Seafood in Spicy Garlic Sauce is so flavorful it can shine on its own, but here are some excellent ways to serve it:
-
With Steamed Jasmine Rice: A neutral base to absorb all the saucy goodness.
-
Over Noodles: Try with egg noodles or ramen for a delicious Asian-style seafood bowl.
-
With Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping into the buttery, garlicky sauce.
Presentation Tip: Serve in a wide, shallow bowl for a rustic, seafood-boil look. Garnish with extra green onions or a wedge of lime for freshness.
Make It Your Own
Here are some ways you can customize or elevate the dish:
Add More Seafood:
-
Scallops
-
Clams
-
Crab legs
Adjust the Heat:
-
For more spice: Add chopped fresh chilies or a dash of cayenne.
-
For milder flavor: Use less chili paste and more sweet chili sauce.
Add Veggies:
-
Sliced bell peppers or baby corn for color and crunch
-
Spinach or bok choy for a healthy twist
Storage and Leftovers
Seafood is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers:
-
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
-
Reheat: Gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave for short intervals.
Avoid overcooking during reheating to prevent the seafood from turning rubbery.
Why This Dish Works
This recipe is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to make something spectacular. The garlic provides a strong aromatic base, the chili sauces bring heat and depth, and the butter ties everything together in a smooth, rich coating. Combined with fresh seafood, it’s a satisfying dish that feels indulgent but isn’t overly heavy.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned seafood lover or trying something new, this Seafood in Spicy Garlic Sauce is sure to impress. It’s bold, savory, slightly sweet, and has just the right amount of heat. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to whip up on a weeknight or for a special dinner.
So next time you’re craving something flavorful and fast, skip the takeout—grab your skillet, and get cooking. You’ll be surprised how easy gourmet seafood can be.