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Walnut Shrimp with Honey-Glazed Walnuts and Creamy Sauce Recipe

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4 from 67 reviews

Walnut Shrimp is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a sweet, creamy sauce with crunchy glazed walnuts. The shrimp are marinated in aromatic spices, lightly coated in cornstarch, and shallow fried to golden perfection. Finished with a luscious tangy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, and honey, and topped with caramelized walnuts, this dish offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors perfect for a main course.

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 4 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for shallow fry)
  • Green onion, sliced (for garnish)

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 (or soy sauce)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp with Shaoxing wine, kosher salt, grated ginger, and white pepper. Mix well and let the shrimp marinate for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Prepare the Glazed Walnuts: Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small or medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until just warm. Sprinkle sugar evenly over the pan surface. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, swirling occasionally, until the sugar melts and begins to turn amber, about 3 minutes.
  3. Caramelize Walnuts: Add the roasted walnuts to the melted sugar and stir to coat them evenly. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar fully melts and turns golden brown, about 2 more minutes. Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper and spread out with a spatula. Separate the walnuts to prevent sticking and let cool for about 5 minutes until the coating hardens. Break apart as needed.
  4. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, honey, rice vinegar, and light soy sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  5. Coat and Fry Shrimp: Add cornstarch to the marinated shrimp and toss until shrimp are evenly coated. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until hot. Add shrimp in a single layer without overlapping (cook in batches if necessary). Fry each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer cooked shrimp to a large plate and allow to cool slightly.
  6. Toss the Shrimp in Sauce: After the shrimp have cooled slightly, transfer them to a large mixing bowl, leaving any excess oil or juice behind on the plate. Add the prepared sauce and toss gently to coat all the shrimp evenly.
  7. Combine with Walnuts and Garnish: Add half of the glazed walnuts to the shrimp and give a quick mix. Transfer the shrimp and walnut mixture to a large serving plate. Sprinkle the remaining glazed walnuts on top and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately as a main dish.

Notes

  • Allow the fried shrimp to cool slightly before tossing with the sauce to prevent the creamy sauce from breaking or becoming oily.
  • Walnuts can be roasted beforehand for extra crunch and flavor.
  • This dish is best served fresh to maintain the crispiness of the shrimp and walnuts.
  • Use vegetable oil with a high smoke point for frying.
  • Shaoxing wine can be substituted with dry sherry or omitted if unavailable.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/walnut-shrimp-with-honey-glazed-walnuts-and-creamy-sauce-recipe/