Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
If you’ve ever swooned over a plate of Honey Walnut Shrimp at your favorite Chinese restaurant, you’re in for a treat! This dish is a stunning blend of crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet-tangy sauce and topped with glossy candied walnuts. The contrast of textures and flavors makes every bite exciting, and the best part is, you can easily recreate this restaurant classic at home. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just indulge in a little weeknight luxury, Honey Walnut Shrimp is a showstopper that truly delivers on taste and elegance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe keeps things delightfully simple, yet every ingredient plays a pivotal role in building flavor, crunch, and that signature creamy finish. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips for the best results.
- Shrimp: Large or jumbo shrimp give you plump, juicy bites that hold up beautifully to frying and saucing.
- Walnut halves: These become irresistibly crunchy and sweet once candied, adding a nutty depth to every bite.
- Water: Essential for dissolving sugar to make the perfect candied walnuts.
- Granulated sugar: The key to that shiny, sweet coating on the walnuts.
- Cornstarch: Coats the shrimp and fries up ultra-crispy, keeping the shrimp tender inside.
- Vegetable oil: For deep frying; use a neutral oil like canola or sunflower for the best results.
- Mayonnaise: Lends creaminess and body to the signature sauce.
- Honey: Brings floral sweetness that makes the sauce irresistible.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds depth and a touch of caramel-like richness to the sauce.
- Lemon juice: A balancing note of acidity to cut through the richness and lift all the flavors.
- Salt: Just a pinch to bring everything into perfect harmony.
How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp
Step 1: Candy the Walnuts
Start by making those addictive candied walnuts. In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a gentle boil over medium heat. Add the walnut halves and let them simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. This process infuses the nuts with a sweet crunch. Once done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a parchment-lined tray so they can cool and harden into shiny nuggets of deliciousness.
Step 2: Mix the Honey Walnut Shrimp Sauce
While the walnuts cool, whip up the creamy sauce that sets Honey Walnut Shrimp apart. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. This is where the magic happens—the sauce should be velvety and slightly tangy, with just enough sweetness to complement the shrimp and walnuts.
Step 3: Prepare the Shrimp
Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they fry up crispy. Toss them in cornstarch, making sure each piece is evenly coated. This step not only locks in moisture but also gives the shrimp their signature crunchy coating once fried.
Step 4: Fry the Shrimp
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, gently add the shrimp and fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden and crisp. Drain the fried shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate to keep them light and crunchy. For extra crunch, you can double-fry the shrimp by returning them to the hot oil for a quick second fry.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Once all your shrimp are perfectly crispy, transfer them to a large bowl and toss with the creamy sauce until each piece is beautifully coated. Add in the candied walnuts and give everything a gentle stir. Serve your Honey Walnut Shrimp warm, ideally over a bed of steamed rice to soak up every bit of that luscious sauce.
How to Serve Honey Walnut Shrimp
Garnishes
For a restaurant-style finish, sprinkle a few extra candied walnuts and a scattering of sliced green onions or sesame seeds over the top. The green adds a pop of color and a mild oniony freshness that complements the sweet-savory balance of the dish.
Side Dishes
Honey Walnut Shrimp pairs beautifully with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or a bowl of garlic fried rice. Lightly sautéed greens like bok choy, snap peas, or broccoli also make wonderful accompaniments, adding freshness and crunch to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, serve Honey Walnut Shrimp on a large platter with the sauce drizzled artistically and walnuts scattered for dramatic effect. For a fun twist, try serving individual portions in lettuce cups for a light and elegant appetizer at your next gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Honey Walnut Shrimp, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The shrimp will lose a bit of their crispiness, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Freezing
While the sauce and walnuts don’t freeze well, you can freeze the fried, unsauced shrimp for up to one month. Reheat them in a hot oven to restore some crunch, then toss with fresh sauce and walnuts before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, place the shrimp on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes, or until warmed through and lightly crisp. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the shrimp rubbery and the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for Honey Walnut Shrimp?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before coating with cornstarch and frying. This will help achieve the best crispy texture.
Is there a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in the sauce?
If you don’t have sweetened condensed milk, you can use a little extra honey and a splash of cream. The sauce will be slightly less rich but still delicious and creamy.
What oil is best for frying the shrimp?
Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil. These oils let the flavors of the shrimp and sauce shine through without adding any unwanted taste.
How do I keep the shrimp extra crispy?
Double-frying is the secret! After the first fry, let the shrimp cool for a minute, then fry them again for a quick 30 seconds. This technique gives you irresistibly crispy shrimp that hold up well to the sauce.
Can I make Honey Walnut Shrimp ahead for a party?
You sure can! Prep the shrimp, sauce, and walnuts ahead of time, then fry and assemble everything just before serving for maximum crunch and freshness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably special about making Honey Walnut Shrimp at home—it’s a dish that brings restaurant luxury straight to your kitchen. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making it again and again; the combination of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and candied walnuts is simply irresistible. Give it a try and treat yourself and your loved ones to a truly memorable meal!
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Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delicious Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet honey mayo sauce and topped with candied walnuts. Perfect for a flavorful main course that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Candied Walnuts
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Candy the Walnuts: In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil over medium heat. Add the walnut halves and boil for 2–3 minutes until they’re coated in the syrup. Remove walnuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined tray to dry and cool, forming a crunchy candy coating.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and well combined. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Toss the shrimp in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for a crispy finish when fried.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for about 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Once cooked, transfer shrimp to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Once all shrimp are fried, toss them gently in the prepared honey mayo sauce until fully coated, making sure every bite is flavorful and creamy.
- Combine with Candied Walnuts: Add the cooled candied walnuts to the shrimp and gently stir to combine, creating a delightful crunch with every bite.
- Serve: Serve the honey walnut shrimp warm, ideally accompanied by steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For extra crunch, double-fry the shrimp by returning them to the hot oil for a second quick fry.
- Use large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture and juicy bite.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be prepped in advance and assembled just before serving to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
