Honey Walnut Shrimp

Ah, my friend, today I’m going to share with you a dish that brings me endless joy and sparks delightful memories—Honey Walnut Shrimp. This dish isn’t just food; it’s an experience. Picture this: you’re at a bustling restaurant, the atmosphere alive with laughter and clinks of chopsticks against bowls, when suddenly, a plate of beautifully glistening shrimp adorned with crunchy walnuts arrives at your table. You take a bite, and that sweet-and-savory explosion instantly transports you! That’s the magic we’re going to recreate together today.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Why should you cook this tonight? Let me count the ways! Honey Walnut Shrimp is like a warm hug on a plate. It’s sweet, savory, and crispy all at once, making it an absolute crowd-pleaser. You’ll be amazed at how the cool, creamy sauce perfectly balances the crunch of the candied walnuts and the tender, juicy shrimp.

But hold on—there’s more! This dish is remarkably easy to prepare at home. With just a handful of ingredients and about thirty minutes of your time, you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal that’ll have your family or friends swooning. And if that’s not enough, it’s versatile too! Perfect as an appetizer or served over rice for a complete dinner. Once you make it, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and time again.

Gather these ingredients

Let’s gather our ingredients because good cooking starts with good prep! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 lb large shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined. If you can find wild-caught shrimp, even better! It’ll elevate the dish with its natural flavor.

• 1/2 cup walnuts: These beauties will get toasted to golden perfection. They add such a lovely crunch and deep flavor to the dish.

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Trust me, this creamy base is the heart of our luscious sauce. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute with Greek yogurt—just a little less sweet but equally delicious.

• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk: This ingredient gives the sauce its sweet kick. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness!

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: A splash of freshness to cut through that richness. You can even use fresh lemon zest for an extra zing!

• 1 tablespoon honey: Just a little drizzle enhances the sweetness; it’s like liquid gold!

• 1/2 cup cornstarch: For that signature crunch! The cornstarch will help give our shrimp a crispy outer layer.

• Oil for frying: I like using vegetable oil for this—neutral and seamless in flavor. You want it hot enough to fry but not smoking!

• Salt to taste: Just a pinch to enhance all those flavors.

Preparing Honey Walnut Shrimp

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these step-by-step instructions, and I promise you’ll feel like a culinary genius in no time.

1. Heat the oil: In a medium saucepan, pour in enough oil for frying (about 2-3 inches deep) and heat over medium. You want it hot but not raging!

2. Fry the walnuts: Add the walnuts to the pan and fry them until they’re golden brown—this should take about 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they can go from perfect to burnt in a flash! Once they are toasted, drain them on a paper towel and set aside.

3. Make the sauce: In a bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and honey. Whisk it until it’s smooth and creamy—this will be the star of the show!

4. Prepare the shrimp: In another bowl, toss the peeled shrimp with cornstarch until they are well coated. This is where the magic happens.

5. Fry the shrimp: Carefully place the cornstarch-coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry them until golden and crispy, roughly 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels—no one likes greasy shrimp!

6. Combine it all: In a large bowl, mix the fried shrimp with your luscious sauce until they’re nicely coated. Top with those delicious candied walnuts. Serve immediately for that crispy texture!

Best way to enjoy it

Now for the fun part—serving! This dish shines on its own, but here are some ways to elevate your presentation.

Plate the Honey Walnut Shrimp on a beautiful dish, and maybe sprinkle a little sliced green onion or sesame seeds on top for added flair. If you want to serve it with sides, fluffy jasmine rice or a fresh green salad works wonders. The rice soaks up that creamy sauce while the salad brings a refreshing crunch to your bite—perfect combo!

Storage and reheating tips

So, what if you have leftovers? First off, don’t be ashamed—this dish is too good to leave uneaten! For the best results, enjoy the leftovers within a day. Just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to reheat, a quick blast in the skillet will help revive that crispiness you loved in the first place.

Feel free to avoid the microwave for reheating; it tends to make the shrimp a bit soggy. If you ever decide to make this in advance, fry the shrimp, but hold off on mixing them with the sauce. Do this just before serving for the best crispy texture!

Tips for a successful recipe

Let me share a few pro chef tips with you!

• Don’t rush the frying: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the shrimp. Otherwise, they’ll soak up too much oil and lose that delightful crunch!

• Mind the timing: Cooking shrimp is quick business! Keep an eye on them because every second counts, and they can overcook easily.

• Taste as you go: This is about your palate, so adjust the sweetness or acidity levels in the sauce to match your taste.

Creative Twists

Now, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not mix things up a bit?

• Spice it up: Add a hint of heat with some red pepper flakes in the sauce. It’ll kick it up a notch and add a whole new dimension.

• Coconut twist: For a tropical makeover, use coconut mayonnaise and sprinkle some shredded coconut over the shrimp at the end.

• Protein swap: You can even try this recipe with chicken. Just cut the chicken breast into tender pieces and follow the same frying technique.

Ingredients list

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Directions to follow

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Fry walnuts until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
3. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and honey until smooth.
4. Toss shrimp in cornstarch until well coated.
5. Fry shrimp in hot oil until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towel.
6. Mix fried shrimp with the sauce in a large bowl and top with candied walnuts. Serve immediately.

Your questions answered

1. What’s the prep time? Around 15-20 minutes! Then another 15-20 minutes for cooking.

2. Can I use frozen shrimp? Absolutely! Just ensure they’re fully thawed and patted dry for the best results.

3. Is it gluten-free? Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

4. What if I have nut allergies? You can skip the walnuts entirely, or use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead.

5. What’s a good dipping sauce for this? A sweet chili sauce pairs wonderfully if you’re looking for an extra dip!

You made it to the end, and I’m so excited for you to try this recipe! Honey Walnut Shrimp is not only delicious but also a wonderful way to impress anyone you serve it to. Dive in, unleash your creativity, and don’t forget to sprinkle in your personal flair. I can’t wait to hear all about how it turns out for you—so be sure to share your thoughts!

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Honey Walnut Shrimp

Cooking Method: Mixing, Sauteing Courses: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course Recipe Keys: D Delicious High Protein Non Vegetarian Pescetarian Quick Meals

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time Cook Time Rest Time 4 mins Total Time 40 hrs 4 mins

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 600

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe provides a delightful balance of crispy shrimp coated in a creamy sauce and topped with crunchy candied walnuts. Perfect for an appetizer or main course!

Main Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (Wild-caught is preferred for best flavor.)
• ¹⁄₂ cup walnuts (To be toasted.)
• ¹⁄₂ cup mayonnaise (May substitute with Greek yogurt.)
• ¹⁄₄ cup sweetened condensed milk (Adjust for sweetness preference.)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (Fresh lemon zest optional.)
• 1 tablespoon honey (For added sweetness.)
• ¹⁄₂ cup cornstarch (For coating shrimp.)
• Oil for frying vegetable oil (Use enough to fry.)
• to taste salt salt (Enhances flavors.)

Cooking Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp

1. Heat the Oil

   In a medium saucepan, pour in enough oil for frying (about 2-3 inches deep) and heat over medium.
   Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking.
   Mark as complete

2. Fry the Walnuts

   Add the walnuts to the pan and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
   Drain on paper towels and set aside once toasted.
   Mark as complete

3. Make the Sauce

   In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and honey until smooth.
   This will be the creamy sauce for the shrimp.
   Mark as complete

4. Coat the Shrimp

   In another bowl, toss the peeled shrimp with cornstarch until well coated.
   Ensure shrimp are evenly coated.
   Mark as complete

5. Fry the Shrimp

   Carefully place the cornstarch-coated shrimp into the hot oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes each side.
   Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
   Mark as complete

6. Combine and Serve

   Mix the fried shrimp with the creamy sauce in a large bowl, then top with candied walnuts. Serve immediately.
   For best texture, serve right away.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 600kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 23g36%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 160mg54%

Sodium 600mg25%

Potassium 300mg9%

Total Carbohydrate 30g10%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 10g

Protein 20g40%

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Vitamin A 500 IU

Vitamin C 5 mg

Calcium 50 mg

Iron 2 mg

Vitamin D 0 IU

Vitamin E 2 IU

Vitamin K 5 mcg

Thiamin 0.1 mg

Riboflavin 0.1 mg

Niacin 2 mg

Vitamin B6 0.2 mg

Folate 10 mcg

Vitamin B12 0.5 mcg

Biotin 0 mcg

Pantothenic Acid 0.5 mg

Phosphorus 300 mg

Iodine 0 mcg

Magnesium 30 mg

Zinc 1 mg

Selenium 30 mcg

Copper 0.2 mg

Manganese 0.5 mg

Chromium 0 mcg

Molybdenum 0 mcg

Chloride 0 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a unique twist, consider adding red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, shrimp recipe, seafood, appetizers, Asian cuisine