Walnut Shrimp is the perfect balance of crispy, sweet, and savory flavors with succulent shrimp are coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed with a rich, creamy sauce and crunchy walnuts.
What Is Walnut Shrimp?
Walnut shrimp is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The dish typically features lightly battered shrimp fried to golden perfection, tossed in a velvety mayonnaise-based sauce, and finished with crunchy, caramelized walnuts. It’s a popular offering at Chinese restaurants and is often served as part of a celebratory meal.
Key ingredients include:
- Shrimp: Large or jumbo shrimp work best.
- Walnuts: Coated in a caramelized glaze for sweetness and crunch.
- Mayonnaise Sauce: Made creamy with mayo, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of honey.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Walnut Shrimp
- Crispy Shrimp: Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying. Test by dropping a small piece of batter into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.
- Even Candying: Stir the walnuts frequently in the sugar syrup to coat them evenly.
- Balanced Sauce: Taste the sauce before tossing it with the shrimp. Adjust sweetness or tang by adding more honey or lemon juice as needed.
- Prep Ahead: You can candy the walnuts and mix the sauce in advance. Store them separately until ready to serve.
Variations of Walnut Shrimp
- Healthier Version: For a lighter take, skip the frying and pan-sear the shrimp instead. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
- Spicy Walnut Shrimp: Add a teaspoon of Sriracha or chili sauce to the mayo mixture for a kick of heat.
- Vegan Walnut Shrimp: Replace shrimp with cauliflower florets and use vegan mayonnaise for the sauce.
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute candied walnuts with sesame seeds or toasted coconut flakes for a crunch without nuts.
How to Serve Walnut Shrimp
Walnut shrimp is versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes:
- Rice: Serve with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
- Vegetables: Pair with stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy for a balanced plate.
- Noodles: It’s equally delicious with lo mein or garlic noodles.
For a family-style dinner, include walnut shrimp as part of a larger spread with dishes like kung pao chicken, egg rolls, or hot and sour soup.
How to Store and Reheat Walnut Shrimp
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: To maintain crispiness, reheat shrimp in an air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the shrimp soggy.
- Freezing: While candied walnuts freeze well, the shrimp is best enjoyed fresh and may lose texture when frozen.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Using raw shrimp is recommended for the best texture, but you can use pre-cooked shrimp in a pinch. Skip the frying step and toss the shrimp in the sauce after warming them up.
Can I make walnut shrimp gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free cornstarch or potato starch for dredging the shrimp.
What’s the best oil for frying?
Neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are ideal due to their high smoke points.
How can I reduce the sweetness?
If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk or honey. Add a splash of rice vinegar for balance.
Is walnut shrimp authentic Chinese cuisine?
Walnut shrimp is more accurately described as Chinese-American cuisine, inspired by traditional Chinese cooking but adapted to Western tastes.
Walnut Shrimp
Walnut Shrimp is the perfect balance of crispy, sweet, and savory flavors with succulent shrimp are coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed with a rich, creamy sauce and crunchy walnuts.
Ingredients
Glazed Walnuts
- 1 cup roasted walnuts
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 tsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 4 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- Green onion, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Marinate the Shrimp
- Toss shrimp with Shaoxing wine, salt, ginger, and white pepper.
- Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
Make the Glazed Walnuts
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Sprinkle sugar evenly and cook until it melts and turns amber (3-4 minutes).
- Stir in walnuts, coating evenly. Cook until golden brown (2 minutes).
Spread on parchment paper to cool and harden. - Break apart once cooled.
Mix the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, condensed milk, honey, rice vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth.
Cook the Shrimp
- Toss the marinated shrimp with cornstarch for an even coating.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Fry shrimp in batches until golden on both sides (about 2 minutes per side). Set aside on a plate.
Assemble
- Toss shrimp with the sauce in a bowl. Add half the walnuts and mix gently.
- Transfer to a serving plate, top with remaining walnuts, and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 636Total Fat 47gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 39gCholesterol 247mgSodium 1360mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 2gSugar 13gProtein 30g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Walnut shrimp is a dish that’s both indulgent and easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, its creamy, crispy, and sweet flavors are sure to impress. With the tips, variations, and step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you’ll be ready to whip up a batch of restaurant-worthy walnut shrimp in no time. Give it a try and let your taste buds celebrate!
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