Honey walnut shrimp is a simple staple dish that provides a sensory experience. The crunchy shrimp coated in a special mayo sauce topped with candied walnuts will have people getting seconds, if not thirds! This is better than Panda Express.
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Where did honey walnut shrimp originate from?
The honey walnut shrimp originated from Hong Kong, however, it is known to be a Western inspired Cantonese dish. It is commonly served in Chinese banquet meals. Many Americans know of this dish thanks to Panda Express just like fried rice and orange chicken.
What does honey walnut shrimp taste like?
Irresistible combo of sweet, crispy and smooth. It’s a sensory experience that will have you and your guests wanting more. The tempura battered shrimp and candied walnuts provide the crispy aspect while the special mayo mixture gives a smooth texture to the dish. Because the walnuts are candied it’ll elevate the experience in adding a sweet but delicate finish to the dish.
Ingredients
The nice aspect about this recipe is most of these ingredients can be found in your cupboard, just buy some shrimp and you’re halfway there!
- Walnuts
- Canola Oil/Vegetable Oil
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Shrimp
- Mayonnaise
- Condensed milk
- Rice vinegar
- Honey
- Cornstarch
- Fried Mei Fun
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prep: The mayo sauce by adding the mayo, condensed milk, rice vinegar, honey, and salt together in a serving bowl. The mayo sauce should be room temperature. As for the shrimp, ensure that they are washed, peeled and deveined. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch, you will place the shrimp in cornstarch again right before frying.
Cook: The candied walnuts first by creating a simple syrup. First heat up the oil until it reaches 320 degrees F. Then toss in your walnuts to toast them. In a separate saucepan add water, sugar, and salt over low heat. Stir occasionally. Once the walnuts are done toasting, typically I only do so for 45 seconds or when I see them start turning golden brown I scope out and place on a paper towel. You’ll want to remove as much oil as possible before transferring to the simple syrup mixture. Ensure the walnuts get coated in the mixture. Then place the walnuts on a cookie sheet to dry. To cook the shrimp you will use the same oil you used for the walnuts. You’ll want the oil to at least be 345 degrees F. If you haven’t already place the shrimp in cornstarch again before frying. The shrimp is done frying once they’re golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Try to remove as much oil from the shrimp from either draining it and letting gravity do the work or blot them with a paper towel.
Serve: Transfer the fried shrimp into a large bowl, pour your special mayo sauce over the shrimp and gently toss until it’s coated. Sprinkle your candied walnuts on top and if you have mei fun noodles you can add as a garnish as well.
Hint: When frying your shrimp ensure they don't stick together, but keep in mind to drop them in batches so their cook time is the same.
Variations
Looking to change this recipe to suit your guests, or even simplify this recipe even further take a look:
- Air Frying - Try air frying the shrimp instead. 7 minutes at 400 degrees, for a crunchy and yummy flavor profile if you don't feel like frying.
- Quick Mix - If you're in a rush, use a tempura mix to coat the shrimp in. You can also use Mochiko - rice flour, you'll just need to stir in egg with the mixture before dunking the shrimp in to fry.
- Candied Nuts - Don't have walnuts but you do have pecans? Well you can use them! You can even try toasting them in a saucepan with 3 tablespoon of butter and then 3 tablespoon of brown sugar.
Storage
If you find you have leftovers, which might not even be the case because everyone will fall in love with your honey walnut shrimps, it’ll be good for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
What is a good side dish for honey walnut shrimp?
Plain rice is fine with this dish, but you can also do a quick fried rice recipe. I would also recommend salad or vegetables like broccoli. To top off your honey walnut shrimp, adding rice noodles as a garnish will add a neutral color to the dish and crunchy texture.
Top Tip
When candying fruits/nuts you will want to stir the simple syrup constantly. Prior to adding the walnuts, get the simple syrup to boiling, then as the syrup thickens turn down the heat.
FAQ
Heat the sugar and nuts up to 305 degrees Fahrenheit to get the sugar to be clear/melted and then coat the walnuts/nuts.
Heat oil to 330 degrees Fahrenheit in a wok and toss the nuts in for 30 seconds or until they come out with a clear and hard coating.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Honey Walnut Shrimp:
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp (Easy) Copycat
Equipment
- Wok
- Sauce Pan
Ingredients
Candied Walnuts
- 25 Walnuts - Halves the more the better
- 3 cups Canola Oil/ Vegetable Oil
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 2 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Mayo Sauce
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 2½ tablespoon Condensed Milk
- ¼ tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Honey
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
Tempura Shrimp
- 1 lbs Shrimp
- ⅓ cup Cornstarch (or flour)
- Fried Mei Fun Noodles Optional
Instructions
Mayo Sauce
- Stir together mayo, condensed milk, rice vinegar, honey, and salt together in a serving bowl. The mayo sauce should be room temperature.
Candied Walnuts
- First heat up the oil until it reaches 320° F. Then toss in your walnuts to toast them. Once they're golden brown they are done cooking. Scope them out and place on a paper towel. Try to remove as much oil from the walnuts.
- In a separate saucepan we will make simple syrup by adding water, sugar, and salt over low heat. Stir occasionally.
- Stir in the walnuts in the simple syrup mixture. Once coated place the walnuts on a cookie sheet to dry.
Tempura Shrimp
- Heat oil that was used for the walnuts to 345°F.
- Wash, peel and de-vein the shrimp. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch and then fry until it's golden brown (about 3 to 5 minutes). Try to remove as much oil from the shrimp when it's done frying.
Serve
- Transfer the fried shrimp into a large bowl, pour your special mayo sauce over the shrimp and gently toss until it’s coated. Sprinkle your candied walnuts on top and if you have mei fun noodles you can add as a garnish as well.
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