Honey Walnut Shrimp With a Secret Chinese Sauce

A family of chefs with two James Beard Awards and over 50 years of Chinese cooking expertise created honey walnut shrimp. This beloved dish holds a special place in traditional Chinese banquets as one of the first courses, making it a cultural classic.

The dish combines crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and crunchy candied walnuts. You can make this restaurant a favorite at home in under 20 minutes. A lighter cornstarch batter creates an exceptionally crispy texture. The creamy sauce, known as “Milk Oil” sauce in Cantonese, adds rich, unforgettable flavors to your plate.

You’ll learn to become skilled at this classic recipe. The secret Chinese sauce and customizable candied walnuts will change your home cooking into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Essential Tools and Ingredients

Making restaurant-quality honey walnut shrimp requires professional chef’s tools and ingredients. A quality wok is your most significant tool – get either a carbon steel or cast iron model that handles high heat well. A metal wok spatula and ladle set are a great way to get better stirring control and sauce distribution.

The cooking process needs both a bamboo strainer and a fine-mesh strainer. Bamboo strainers work best to remove fried items from oil. The fine-mesh strainer helps keep your oil clean by catching small particles that might burn.

Large, deveined shrimp serve as your main protein. The signature coating needs cornstarch and egg whites that create that light, crispy texture everyone loves. The secret sauce blends mayonnaise (regular or Japanese Kewpie mayo), honey, and sweetened condensed milk perfectly.

The candied walnuts need these essentials:

• Fresh walnut halves
• White granulated sugar
• Filtered water
• Vegetable oil for frying

Mix these sauce ingredients carefully:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk

A kitchen thermometer helps you nail the perfect frying temperature. You’ll also need a large mixing bowl to coat the shrimp and tongs that make handling easier during cooking.

Green onions make excellent garnishes. They add visual appeal and their subtle onion flavor pairs beautifully with the rich sauce.

Read also: Fried Fish and Shrimp Recipe

The Secret Chinese Sauce Revealed

The magic sauce that makes honey walnut shrimp irresistible needs just three basic ingredients: mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk. This simple mixture creates a creamy, sweet coating that pairs beautifully with crispy shrimp.

Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise makes the most authentic sauce. This special mayo gives you a richer, more yellow-tinted sauce with subtle tangy notes. All the same, regular mayonnaise works just fine, so use what you have in your pantry.

Here’s the perfect ratio for your sauce:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk

Some chefs boost the sauce’s complexity with a splash of white vinegar. Adventurous cooks add a touch of lemon juice and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. These small tweaks create depth without overpowering the signature flavors.

Your mixing technique shapes the sauce’s final texture. Mix all ingredients in a bowl big enough to fit both the sauce and cooked shrimp. Whisk everything until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. The sauce should coat the spoon’s back without being too thick or runny.

You can adjust the sauce amount based on your taste. More sauce means increasing the mayonnaise and condensed milk proportionally. The sweetened condensed milk affects both the sauce’s thickness and sweetness.

Temperature matters when you apply the sauce. Add it to freshly fried, warm shrimp. This helps the sauce spread evenly over each piece. Fold everything together gently to keep the shrimp crispy while ensuring complete coverage.

This versatile sauce works great with other seafood dishes and serves as a base for fusion creations. Becoming skilled at making this sauce helps you recreate a restaurant favorite and discover the full potential of modern Chinese-American cuisine.

Read also: Boiled Shrimp Recipe

Honey Walnut Shrimp

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• Author: Maya Marin
• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Creating crispy honey walnut shrimp needs attention to detail and good timing. This beloved dish combines tender shrimp with a light, crispy coating and sweet candied walnuts that come together with a creamy sauce.

This classic Chinese banquet dish showcases butterflied shrimp in a light cornstarch batter, fried to golden perfection and tossed in a creamy honey-based sauce. Sweet candied walnuts add a delightful crunch that helps raise this dish to another level.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup walnuts
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 4 large egg whites
• 2/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
• Green onions for garnish

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Instructions

1. Start by butterflying the shrimp with a deep cut along the back from top to tail, but don’t cut through completely.
2. Make the candied walnuts by bringing water and sugar to a boil. Add walnuts and let them boil for 2 minutes. Drain and let them dry on a cookie sheet.
3. Mix the batter by whipping egg whites until they become foamy. Add cornstarch and stir until you get a pasty consistency.
4. Get your oil hot in a heavy deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F.
5. Fry shrimp in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady. Each piece needs a dip in the batter and about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Let the cooked shrimp rest on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
7. Mix mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl until smooth.
8. Give the fried shrimp a good toss with the sauce, add candied walnuts and finish with green onion garnish.

Equipment

12-inch Deep Frying Pan Skillet

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Digital Candy Thermometer

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Kitchen Spider Strainer

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Notes

• Make sure to dry the shrimp really well before battering for better coating
• Keep oil temperature between 350-375°F to get the best crispiness
• A quick second fry for 30-45 seconds makes them extra crispy
• The dish tastes best when served right after adding the sauce

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Seafood
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Pairing Suggestions for a Complete Meal

Your honey walnut shrimp can become an amazing dining experience when you pair it with the right side dishes. These combinations will boost the dish’s sweet and savory profile, whether you stick to traditional sides or try something new.

Rice Variations White rice makes a classic base that soaks up the creamy sauce perfectly. You can also use quinoa or farro to get more nutritional value. Cauliflower rice gives you a lighter option that keeps the traditional feel if you’re watching your carbs.

Noodle Selections Lo mein noodles make a perfect match with this dish. Here are some creative options you might like:

• Zucchini noodles give you a low-carb twist
• Shirataki noodles add a traditional Asian touch
• Spicy chili-garlic noodles bring extra heat

Fresh Vegetables Steamed or stir-fried vegetables add both color and nutrition to your plate. Broccoli is a top choice – its fresh flavors and bright colors balance out the rich sauce. You can also add snap peas, bell peppers, or sautéed spinach for variety.

Asian-Inspired Sides Asian cucumber salad creates a refreshing contrast to the main dish. You can add egg rolls, potstickers, or crab rangoon to give your meal that authentic restaurant feel.

Low-Carb Pairings Braised Brussels sprouts or a simple avocado salad work great if you’re watching your carbs. Sautéed bok choy adds an authentic touch while keeping things light.

Complete Meal Suggestions You can turn this into an impressive Asian-inspired feast. The honey walnut shrimp tastes great with dry-fried green beans or eggplant with garlic sauce. Adding homemade egg rolls will give you a complete dining experience that matches any restaurant.

Note that honey walnut shrimp has a sweet profile, so it tastes best when paired with savory or slightly acidic sides. This balanced approach lets each dish complement the others without overwhelming the main course.

Read also: Smoked Shrimp Recipe

Health Benefits of Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey walnut shrimp isn’t just delicious – it’s packed with nutrients too. Each serving gives you 20 grams of protein, which makes it a fantastic protein source.

Shrimp, the star of this dish, brings an impressive set of nutrients to the table. We valued it first for its high-quality protein, but shrimp also contains important minerals like iodine. This nutrient plays a vital role in keeping your thyroid and brain working well.

Many people worry about cholesterol in shrimp, but research shows it won’t hurt your heart health. Your liver actually adjusts its cholesterol production based on what you eat. The good things about shrimp outweigh any cholesterol concerns.

Shrimp contains astaxanthin, which is a powerful antioxidant. This carotenoid helps fight inflammation and protects your cells from free radical damage. Studies suggest that astaxanthin might make your arteries stronger and could lower your risk of heart attacks. It also helps boost your HDL (good cholesterol) levels, which is great for your heart.

Your brain can benefit from honey walnut shrimp too. A 2017 study shows that astaxanthin might help your brain through its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties could protect your brain cells from damage that often causes memory loss and neurodegenerative conditions.

Here’s what you get in one serving of honey walnut shrimp:

• Protein: 20g to keep your muscles strong and healthy
• Total Fat: 20g with heart-friendly omega-3 fatty acids
• Essential Minerals: Including selenium for heart, immune, and thyroid health
• Vitamin B12: Helps your nerves and makes red blood cells
• Zinc: Keeps your immune system strong

How you cook this dish affects its health benefits by a lot. Baking or air-frying works better than deep-frying if you want fewer calories. The honey adds natural sweetness, but watch how much you use because of the sugar.

This dish combines several healthy ingredients. Walnuts give you healthy fats and extra protein, while shrimp offers lean protein without much-saturated fat. Together, they create a meal that helps everything from your muscles to your brain work better.

You can make this dish even healthier by adding steamed vegetables or whole grains. This creates a balanced meal full of nutrients while keeping all the flavors you love.

References:
– Eat This Much
– Snapcalorie

Nutritional Profile of Honey Walnut Shrimp

The nutritional makeup of honey walnut shrimp can help you make better food choices. A standard 3.7-ounce serving (about 105 grams) packs 360-370 calories.

Here’s how the macronutrients break down:

Each serving gives you 3.5g of saturated fat, which is 18% of your daily limit. The dish’s fats are mostly good for your heart, with 12g of polyunsaturated fats and 3.9g of monounsaturated fats.

The carbs in this dish include 8-9g of sugars and 1-2g of dietary fiber. Your net carb intake comes to 25g per serving.

Let’s look at the key vitamins and minerals:

• Cholesterol: 110-147mg (33-49% DV)
• Sodium: 440-846mg (18-37% DV)
• Potassium: 224-259mg (5-6% DV)

This dish is rich in essential nutrients. You get 54% of your daily vitamin B12 needs. The mineral content is impressive too:

• Phosphorus: 365mg (52% DV)
• Selenium: 37μg (67% DV)
• Copper: 0.4mg (50% DV)

The amino acid profile shows good amounts of glutamic acid (4g), leucine (2g), and lysine (2g). You’ll also find 1g of omega-3 and 9g of omega-6 fatty acids.

Your calories come from different sources:

• 51-59% from fat
• 29-35% from carbohydrates
• 12-30% from protein

A full cup (162g) gives you more nutrients with 439 calories. This bigger portion has 46g of carbohydrates, 20g of protein, and 20g of total fat.

The sugar content changes based on how it’s made, but usually has:

• Sucrose: 5g
• Glucose: 2g
• Fructose: 2g

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Becoming skilled at making perfect honey walnut shrimp means you need to avoid several mistakes that can ruin your dish. We started with the biggest problem in the original preparation – not cleaning shrimp properly. The dirt in their intestines can affect the final taste by a lot.

Your control over temperature will give a perfect restaurant-quality result. Many home cooks don’t heat their oil to the right temperature. The oil needs to reach 350°F to work best. When the oil temperature falls below 300-325°F, your shrimp turns soggy instead of crispy.

To name just one example, see how putting too many shrimp in the pan ruins the texture quality. This mistake makes the oil temperature drop fast and leaves you with greasy, soggy fried shrimp. You should cook shrimp in small batches to keep oil temperature steady and cook them evenly.

The way you make your batter is vital to getting that perfect texture. Many home cooks have trouble making the batter stick. You need to dry the shrimp completely after defrosting. The batter should drip slightly but still coat the shrimp well.

Critical Temperature Control Points:

• Oil must maintain 350°F for optimal frying
• Temperature below 300°F results in excess oil absorption
• Rapid temperature drops occur with overcrowding

There’s another reason why your dish might fail – cooking frozen shrimp right away. Proper thawing helps maintain texture and nutritional quality. You can thaw naturally at room temperature or in the warmer part of your refrigerator.

Bad timing can ruin your dish. Shrimp needs exact cooking time – just until the surface turns opaque. Cooking too long makes them tough and rubbery, and you lose nutrients.

When you add the sauce, it matters for texture too. The shrimp starts losing its crunch once you coat it with honey-mayo sauce. Serve right after adding sauce to get the best texture balance.

The way you handle surface protein changes how your dish looks and feels. A good rinse removes extra surface protein that can affect opacity and texture. Some chefs like using baking soda to get that snappy texture while keeping moisture in.

The sauce needs careful attention to avoid mistakes. You should taste the sauce before using it to adjust sweetness. The sauce should be just right – thick enough to coat without making the crispy exterior soggy.

Good oil care goes beyond watching the temperature. You know the oil is ready when test drops of batter create excited sizzling. Clean oil throughout cooking makes your food taste and look better.

Storage and serving time can make your dish succeed or fail. The crispy texture doesn’t last long after cooking, so serve it right away for the best experience. This matters even more when you cook large amounts or have guests over.

Conclusion

Honey walnut shrimp is evidence of Chinese culinary excellence that combines crispy textures, sweet flavors, and nutritional benefits. This dish may appear complex, but becoming skilled at its preparation is straightforward with proper knowledge and techniques.

The recipe’s success depends on temperature control, sauce preparation, and precise timing. Each component needs separate preparation time instead of a rushed process. Careful attention yields restaurant-quality results – crispy shrimp in a creamy sauce that goes together with crunchy candied walnuts.

Practice leads to perfection consistently. Small batch preparation allows sauce sweetness adjustments to your preference, and immediate serving after coating ensures optimal results. This beloved Chinese dish will become a reliable part of your cooking repertoire after mastering these basics, ready to delight family and guests alike.