If you have ever craved a dish that perfectly balances sweetness, crunch, and succulent seafood, then this Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe is about to become your new favorite. The tender shrimp coated in a crispy golden batter meet a luscious honey-mayo sauce, while toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch that makes every bite unforgettable. This dish brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen, and it’s surprisingly simple to create. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a special occasion, this recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To bring this Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe to life, you only need a handful of straightforward ingredients. Each one plays an important role, from creating the crisp shrimp coating to infusing the sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and tang. You don’t have to hunt down fancy items—these pantry staples come together beautifully to make a truly impressive dish.
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the dish, shrimp should be fresh or thawed for the best texture.
- 1 cup walnuts: Toasted for a crunchy and slightly nutty contrast that elevates the dish.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Provides creamy richness to the sauce.
- 1/4 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy finish.
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice: Introduces a fresh tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 1/2 cup flour: Forms part of the crispy coating on the shrimp.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch: Works with flour to ensure a light, crunchy batter.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of shrimp and seasoning balance.
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper: Adds a hint of mild heat and depth to the batter.
- Oil for frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for perfect golden shrimp.
How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by mixing the mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth and creamy. This sauce will coat the shrimp with a beautiful balance of sweet and tangy flavors, giving the dish its signature taste and glossy finish.
Step 2: Make the Coating Mixture
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper thoroughly. This mixture creates a perfect crispy exterior on the shrimp once fried, locking in juiciness and adding a satisfying crunch.
Step 3: Coat the Shrimp
Dip each peeled and deveined shrimp into the flour mixture, giving them an even coating all over. This step ensures the shrimp will fry up light and crispy, providing an excellent texture contrast to the creamy sauce.
Step 4: Fry the Shrimp
Heat your oil in a pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Fry the shrimp in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan to keep them crispy.
Step 5: Toast the Walnuts
While the shrimp are frying, toast the walnuts in another pan over medium heat. Toasting takes just a few minutes but transforms the walnuts by bringing out their rich aroma and crunch, a vital element in this recipe.
Step 6: Combine Everything
Once the shrimp are cooked and drained, toss them gently with the prepared sauce and toasted walnuts. This final step lets the sauce cling beautifully to each shrimp while the walnuts add bursts of crunch and nuttiness.
Step 7: Serve Warm
Serve your Honey Walnut Shrimp immediately so you can enjoy the contrasting textures at their best – creamy, crispy, sweet, tangy, and nutty all at once.
How to Serve Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped green onions or fresh cilantro makes a lovely garnish, adding a pop of fresh color and subtle herbal notes that complement the richness of the dish exceptionally well. You might also enjoy a light dusting of sesame seeds for an extra bit of texture.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple side dishes that don’t overpower the shrimp. Steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice is a classic choice, soaking up the sauce perfectly. If you want to add some greens, a crisp Asian-style slaw or sautéed bok choy provide fantastic freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching presentation, serve the shrimp atop a bed of fluffy rice in a colorful bowl and garnish with toasted walnuts and herbs. Alternatively, plating the shrimp in small lettuce cups makes for a fun, interactive appetizer or party finger food. You can even drizzle a little extra honey on top for a glossy finish that wows guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers from your Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The shrimp stay flavorful for up to two days, but crispy texture will diminish over time.
Freezing
Freezing fried shrimp is possible, but it’s best to do so before tossing them in the sauce. Freeze the plain fried shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to one month. Reheat thoroughly before saucing.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat to help retain as much crispiness as possible. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture intact. Add the sauce and walnuts fresh after reheating so everything tastes as vibrant as when first made.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts aside from walnuts?
Absolutely! While walnuts provide their classic flavor and texture, pecans or macadamia nuts can be great substitutes, offering different but equally delicious crunchy elements.
Is this recipe spicy?
The Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe in its original form is not spicy. However, if you like a kick, you can easily add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter or a few drops of hot sauce to the sauce mix.
Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying?
Yes, baking is an option for a lighter version. Coat the shrimp as usual and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes or until golden and cooked through. The texture won’t be quite as crispy as frying but still tasty.
What type of shrimp works best?
Medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined, work best here. Fresh or good-quality frozen shrimp will give you the best results in both texture and flavor.
Is this dish gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and cornstarch to make this dish gluten-free without sacrificing crispiness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the harmony of flavors and textures in this Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe. It’s a dish that feels elegant yet approachable, making it an exciting choice for your next home-cooked meal. I encourage you to try this recipe soon—you might find it becoming a treasured favorite, just like it is in my kitchen!
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Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet honey-mayo sauce, garnished with toasted walnuts for a crunchy texture and burst of nutty flavor. This quick and flavorful recipe is perfect for a tasty dinner or appetizer, delivering a perfect balance of savory and sweet in every bite.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Oil for frying
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Garnish
- 1 cup walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended to create the signature sweet and tangy sauce.
- Make the coating: In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper to create a light, crispy dredging mixture for the shrimp.
- Coat the shrimp: Dredge each shrimp evenly in the flour and cornstarch mixture, ensuring a thorough coating for crispiness.
- Heat the oil: Pour oil into a pan and heat it over medium heat until hot enough for frying, approximately 350°F (175°C) if using a thermometer.
- Fry the shrimp: Fry the coated shrimp in batches for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Toast the walnuts: In a separate dry pan over medium heat, toast the walnuts until they turn golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine shrimp and sauce: Toss the fried shrimp gently with the prepared honey-mayo sauce until each piece is evenly coated.
- Serve: Plate the sauced shrimp and sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Peel and devein the shrimp thoroughly for the best texture and taste.
- Control the oil temperature carefully to ensure shrimp cooks evenly and stays crispy.
- Toast walnuts just before serving to maintain their crunch and flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or lightly sautéed greens.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
