If you’ve ever craved a dish that delivers crispy, creamy, and sweet all at once, then this Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe is exactly what you need on your table. Picture perfectly golden shrimp tossed in a luscious honey-mayonnaise sauce, paired with wonderfully crunchy candied walnuts that add that delightful textural contrast. This recipe brings a beautiful balance of flavors and textures, making it a standout in any meal rotation or a memorable treat for your next dinner party. Once you try it, Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe will fast become one of your go-to dishes to impress friends and family alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in this recipe is carefully chosen to create that signature Honey Walnut Shrimp flavor. The ingredients are simple but work in harmony to deliver crispy shrimp with a sweet, silky sauce and crunchy walnuts that elevate the entire dish.
- Walnut halves: These are candied to add a sweet-crunch contrast that complements the shrimp beautifully.
- Water and granulated sugar: Essential for candying the walnuts to perfection.
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the dish, offering tender, juicy bites that crisp up wonderfully.
- Cornstarch: Coats the shrimp to create that irresistible crispiness during frying.
- Vegetable oil: Used for frying the shrimp to a golden perfection.
- Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base for the glossy sauce that coats the shrimp.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Brings richness and a smooth texture to the sauce.
- Lemon juice: Offers a subtle tang to balance the sweetness and keep the flavors lively.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds (optional): Perfect for garnish, adding fresh color and a slight crunch.
How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Candying the Walnuts
Start by combining water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil. Drop in the walnut halves and let them boil for 2 to 3 minutes. This quick candying process gives the walnuts a glossy coating that transforms them into sweet, crunchy bites. Once done, remove them carefully using a slotted spoon and spread them out on a parchment-lined plate to dry. This step is key because these walnuts bring an unforgettable crunch to the dish.
Step 2: Preparing the Sauce
Next, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice in a small bowl until you achieve a smooth, creamy sauce. This luscious blend is what makes the shrimp irresistibly rich and sweet while balancing the textures with its silky consistency. Setting this aside now allows the flavors to meld while you move on to frying the shrimp.
Step 3: Frying the Shrimp
Pat your shrimp dry and toss them in cornstarch until each piece is evenly coated—this ensures maximum crispiness once fried. Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until they turn golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan, allowing each shrimp to fry evenly. After frying, place them on paper towels to drain excess oil, keeping your dish perfectly crispy rather than greasy.
Step 4: Tossing Everything Together
In a large bowl, gently toss the warm shrimp with the prepared sauce, making sure each piece gets a nice coating of that creamy, honeyed goodness. Then, add the candied walnuts and give a light toss to combine everything without losing their crunch. This mix of silky shrimp and crunchy walnuts is the heart and soul of the Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe, delivering that perfect balance in every bite.
How to Serve Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color and flavor, scatter some thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top just before serving. These garnishes add freshness and a subtle nutty hint that complements the rich shrimp and walnuts wonderfully. Plus, they make the dish look as good as it tastes, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
Side Dishes
This Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe pairs beautifully with steamed white rice, which soaks up every bit of that honey-mayo sauce and balances the richness. For a healthier option, try a side of shredded lettuce or lightly steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas. These sides bring brightness and a slight crunch, making the meal feel well-rounded and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to elevate your presentation, serve the shrimp over a bed of mixed greens or crispy noodles for added texture contrast. Another fun idea is to use butter lettuce leaves as “cups” to hold a few shrimp and candied walnuts, creating a handheld appetizer that’s both elegant and easy to eat. However you choose to present it, the Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe always steals the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To keep the shrimp from getting soggy, it’s best to store the shrimp and candied walnuts separately from the sauce. This way, your next meal will still have that fresh crunch and creamy texture intact.
Freezing
While not ideal to freeze cooked shrimp coated in sauce due to texture changes, you can freeze plain fried shrimp and candied walnuts separately. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator and then toss with freshly made sauce. This makes meal prep a breeze for busy days.
Reheating
Reheat the shrimp gently in a warm, dry skillet to help bring back some of the crispiness without overcooking them. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shrimp rubbery and the walnuts lose their crunch. Reheat the sauce separately and then combine everything just before serving to keep that perfect texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?
Absolutely! Pecans or macadamia nuts work well as substitutes and add their own unique flavor. Just be sure to candy them using the same method to maintain that signature sweetness and crunch.
Is there a healthier alternative to frying the shrimp?
Yes, you can try baking or air frying the shrimp coated in cornstarch. While frying gives the best crispiness, these methods still produce tasty shrimp with less oil, making the dish a little lighter.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Sure thing! The sauce can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before tossing with the shrimp to ensure it’s nicely blended.
What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk?
If you don’t have sweetened condensed milk, you can substitute with a mixture of regular milk and sugar reduced down slightly to mimic the thickness and sweetness, though the flavor may vary slightly.
How do I avoid soggy shrimp in this recipe?
Ensuring the shrimp are well-coated in cornstarch, fried in properly heated oil without overcrowding, and draining them on paper towels immediately after frying are key steps. Tossing them with the sauce just before serving prevents sogginess and keeps the crisp texture intact.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe truly hits all the right notes—crispy, sweet, creamy, and satisfying from the very first bite. It’s a dish that’s both impressive yet surprisingly easy to prepare, perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging yourself after a long day. So why not treat yourself to this delectable combination of textures and flavors and let it become one of your culinary staples? Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be excited to make it again and again.
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Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a sweet and creamy honey sauce, topped with crunchy candied walnuts. This delightful combination of textures and flavors makes it a perfect main course for a special occasion or a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Candied Walnuts:
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For Garnish (Optional):
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Candied Walnuts: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water and 1/3 cup granulated sugar and bring to a boil. Add 1/2 cup walnut halves and boil for 2–3 minutes. Remove walnuts with a slotted spoon and spread them out on a parchment-lined plate to dry and cool.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Coat the Shrimp: Toss 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp in 1/2 cup cornstarch until fully coated, ensuring a crispy finish once fried.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the shrimp for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden and crispy. Remove the shrimp and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: In a large bowl, gently toss the fried shrimp with the prepared sauce until all shrimp are evenly coated with the creamy honey mixture.
- Add Candied Walnuts and Garnish: Add the candied walnuts to the sauced shrimp and toss lightly to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, consider double-frying the shrimp by frying twice, letting them rest briefly between the fryings.
- Serve alongside steamed white rice or shredded lettuce for a complete and balanced meal.
- To accommodate nut allergies, omit walnuts or substitute with toasted seeds if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
