Honey Walnut Shrimp combines crispy shrimp coated in a sweet and creamy sauce with the delightful crunch of candied walnuts. This dish is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick yet elegant meal at home. The sweetness from the honey and the richness of the creamy mayo sauce balance perfectly with the savory shrimp and the nutty candied walnuts. This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also a crowd-pleaser, making it a fantastic option for a family dinner or a special occasion. Serve it over steamed rice with a side of broccoli for a complete and satisfying meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅔ cup cornstarch (or substitute with potato starch, tapioca starch, or sweet rice flour)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil for frying)
Sauce:
- ¼ cup Japanese mayo (Kewpie Mayo or regular mayo)
- 3 tablespoons condensed milk (or condensed coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Candied Walnuts:
- ½ cup walnut halves
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar (or substitute with brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Directions:
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add sugar and water for the walnuts. Stir constantly until a syrup forms. Coat walnuts in syrup and set aside on parchment paper to cool.
- In a large bowl, season shrimp with salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy and mix in cornstarch to form a runny paste. Coat shrimp in the mixture.
- Heat oil in a pan to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Toss crispy shrimp, candied walnuts, and sauce together in a large bowl. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Prep Time: 22 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 404 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Origins and Popularity of Honey Walnut Shrimp
Honey Walnut Shrimp, or “蜜汁合桃虾” in Chinese, is believed to have originated in Hong Kong, where it was often featured at wedding banquets and special celebrations. The luxurious pairing of shrimp with candied walnuts was considered a symbol of prosperity and wealth, making it a fitting dish for grand occasions. In these banquets, the dish was typically served over a bed of vibrant green blanched broccoli, providing not only a delicious flavor contrast but also a visually appealing presentation. As the dish made its way into American-Chinese cuisine, it gained immense popularity for its rich and indulgent taste, with the addition of Kewpie mayo—a Japanese mayonnaise known for its slightly sweet and umami-rich flavor—becoming a signature component in the sauce.
The appeal of Honey Walnut Shrimp lies in its perfect harmony of tastes and textures. The shrimp is fried to a golden crisp, providing a light and crunchy bite, while the creamy sauce, made from a blend of mayonnaise, honey, and condensed milk, adds a sweet richness that coats the shrimp in silky decadence. The candied walnuts, on the other hand, offer a crunchy, nutty contrast that elevates the dish to another level. It’s this balance of crispy, creamy, sweet, and savory that makes Honey Walnut Shrimp so beloved by food enthusiasts.
What Makes Honey Walnut Shrimp So Special?
Honey Walnut Shrimp stands out as a dish for a variety of reasons. First, it’s a great example of how different culinary elements can come together to create a balanced dish. The crispiness of the fried shrimp complements the rich, velvety texture of the sauce, while the candied walnuts provide a welcome crunch and nutty flavor. This textural contrast is a key aspect of many Asian dishes, where balance is always sought after, whether in taste or texture.
The flavors, too, are an intriguing mix of sweet and savory. The sauce, a creamy blend of mayonnaise, honey, and condensed milk, is sweet without being cloying, with a hint of tartness from the lemon juice that prevents it from being too rich. The shrimp, lightly seasoned and fried to perfection, provides a savory base for the sauce, while the candied walnuts add a touch of nutty sweetness that ties everything together. This layering of flavors ensures that each bite is as satisfying as the last.
Another standout feature of Honey Walnut Shrimp is how it can be adapted to suit different dietary preferences. For those looking for a dairy-free option, the use of condensed coconut milk in place of condensed milk works beautifully, adding a subtle coconut flavor that complements the other ingredients. Additionally, the shrimp can be fried using alternative starches like potato or tapioca starch, making it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, including those with gluten sensitivities.
Pairing Suggestions and Serving Ideas
One of the great things about Honey Walnut Shrimp is that it pairs well with a variety of sides, making it a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Traditionally, it’s served over steamed white rice or a bed of blanched broccoli, which provides a neutral base that allows the flavors of the shrimp and sauce to shine. The broccoli, with its bright green color and slight bitterness, adds a fresh contrast that balances out the richness of the shrimp.
Other fantastic side options include cauliflower rice, fried rice, or chow mein. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is a great alternative to traditional rice, providing a similar texture without the added carbohydrates. Fried rice, on the other hand, adds an extra layer of flavor, particularly if it’s seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic, which complement the sweetness of the honey walnut sauce. Chow mein or lo mein noodles can also make for a satisfying accompaniment, as their slightly chewy texture pairs well with the crispy shrimp.
For a full Chinese-style meal, consider serving Honey Walnut Shrimp alongside other popular dishes like Mongolian Beef, Hot and Sour Soup, or Stir-fried Green Beans. These dishes offer a variety of flavors and textures that complement the shrimp, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Tips for Perfecting Honey Walnut Shrimp at Home
Although Honey Walnut Shrimp is often thought of as a restaurant dish, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. The key to getting the dish just right lies in the preparation and cooking techniques.
First, it’s important to use high-quality shrimp. Large or jumbo shrimp work best, as they offer a meaty texture that stands up to frying and the creamy sauce. Make sure to get shrimp that are peeled and deveined to save time during preparation. For the batter, egg whites combined with cornstarch create a light, crisp coating that ensures the shrimp stay crispy even after being tossed in the sauce. Frying the shrimp at the correct temperature (around 350-375°F) is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior. Frying in small batches ensures that the oil temperature stays consistent, which is key to getting a crispy result.
Candied walnuts are another key component of this dish, and while they may sound complicated to make, they’re actually quite simple. The walnuts are coated in a syrup made from sugar and water, which hardens to create a sweet, crunchy shell. It’s important to work quickly when coating the walnuts to avoid burning the syrup and to spread them out on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
The sauce, made from a blend of Kewpie mayo, honey, and condensed milk, is rich and sweet with a slight tang from the lemon juice. While Kewpie mayo is recommended for its unique flavor, regular mayo can be used in a pinch, though the flavor will be slightly different. For a dairy-free version, condensed coconut milk is a great substitute that still provides the creamy sweetness needed for the sauce.
Lastly, one of the best tips for serving Honey Walnut Shrimp is to keep the shrimp and sauce separate until just before serving. This helps preserve the crispiness of the shrimp, ensuring that it doesn’t get soggy from sitting in the sauce.
Conclusion:
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a dish that offers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors in one bite. Whether you’re a fan of seafood or just looking for a new recipe to try, this dish is sure to impress. Its blend of crispy fried shrimp, sweet creamy sauce, and crunchy candied walnuts makes it a standout at any meal, and its ease of preparation means that it can be made in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a family gathering, or even a special occasion, Honey Walnut Shrimp is a dish that will quickly become a favorite.
Not only is it a delicious and visually appealing dish, but it’s also versatile enough to be customized to your preferences. Whether you opt for different side dishes, substitute ingredients to fit your dietary needs, or tweak the sauce to your liking, Honey Walnut Shrimp is a recipe that you can make your own. Give it a try, and you’ll see why this dish has remained a beloved staple in both Chinese and American-Chinese cuisine for so many years.