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Shrimp with lobster sauce remains a popular Chinese-American takeout dish that has delighted diners for decades, yet it contains no actual lobster. The dish’s name comes from an old Lobster Cantonese recipe, though restaurants rarely serve the original version today.
Succulent shrimp, ground pork, and tender peas come together in a rich, velvety sauce that creates something truly special. You can prepare this restaurant favorite at home quickly in less than 10 minutes, which makes it ideal for busy weeknight dinners. This piece will show you how to create this comforting meal in your kitchen, whether you’re already a fan of Chinese lobster sauce or want to try it for the first time.
Table of Contents
What Is Chinese Lobster Sauce?
Chinese lobster sauce is one of the most misunderstood yet delicious sauces you’ll find in Chinese-American cuisine. We made it with fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth. This savory sauce gets its signature texture from beaten eggs and cornstarch.
The sauce’s rich, umami-forward flavor comes from fermented black beans that add an earthy depth to the taste. The mix of minced garlic and ginger creates an aromatic base that works perfectly with seafood dishes.
Chinese lobster sauce should have a silky-smooth consistency with small ribbons of egg throughout. The cornstarch helps create this velvety texture and thickens the sauce. You’ll know it’s right when it coats the back of a spoon but still pours easily.
The sauce’s authentic color can range from light brown to grayish, based on how many black beans you use. Some cooks add ground pork to make it richer. Green peas are a common addition that brings visual appeal and a subtle sweetness to balance the savory elements.
Today’s versions might include oyster sauce or soy sauce to boost the umami flavors, though these aren’t traditional ingredients. This sauce is incredibly versatile – it pairs perfectly with shrimp and tastes great with other seafood or chicken dishes.
The sauce’s components explain why it’s become a staple in Chinese-American restaurants. Savory fermented beans, aromatic vegetables, and silky eggs blend together to lift any dish they touch.
Read also: Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Why Is It Called Lobster Sauce When There’s No Lobster?
The sort of thing I love is the story behind lobster sauce’s name, which goes back to traditional Cantonese cuisine. At the time, chefs created this sauce to accompany a luxury dish called Lobster Cantonese and prepared fresh lobster in a savory black bean sauce. The sauce became such a hit that restaurants started serving it with other seafood, especially shrimp.
The original Cantonese recipe featured lobster meat chunks stir-fried with fermented black beans that created a rich, flavorful sauce. Chinese restaurants in America began adapting their menus to local tastes, and they managed to keep the signature sauce but paired it with more affordable proteins. Shrimp with lobster sauce became a practical alternative that captured the original dish’s essence.
This sauce’s rise tells a bigger story about Chinese-American cuisine’s adaptation. Restaurant owners knew American diners loved the sauce’s distinctive taste, even without expensive lobster meat. The mix of ground pork, black beans, and eggs created such a unique flavor that the name “lobster sauce” stuck because of its prestigious beginnings.
Chinese-American restaurants flourished across the United States in the mid-20th century, and the sauce’s popularity grew with them. Chefs tweaked the original recipe by adding ingredients like ground pork and green peas that weren’t in the traditional Cantonese version. These changes made Chinese lobster sauce more appealing to American tastes while keeping its rich umami character.
“Lobster sauce” as a name reminds us of the dish’s upscale roots, similar to how many classic recipes carry names that honor their original ingredients or cooking methods. This naming tradition in Chinese cuisine preserves the connection to the sauce’s prestigious start, even as it has become a favorite addition to seafood dishes of all types.
Read also: Fried Fish and Shrimp Recipe
Shrimp With Lobster Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
Creating this classic shrimp with lobster sauce takes just 20 minutes from start to finish. This quick dish works great for weeknight dinners and special occasions. You’ll love the tender shrimp in a rich, velvety sauce with egg ribbons and aromatic seasonings.
This Cantonese-style dish combines succulent shrimp with a luxurious white sauce that gets its distinctive texture from egg ribbons and cornstarch. The simple seasonings let the shrimp’s natural sweetness shine through, and we complemented it with garlic and ginger aromatics.
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, finely chopped
- ¼ pound ground pork
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup cold water
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Toasted sesame oil
- Scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry and cut a shallow slit along the back to butterfly them.
- Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Cook them for 5-8 seconds until fragrant.
- Add shrimp and season with salt and white pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until they turn pale pink.
- Pour in cooking wine and cook for 10 seconds. Next, add chicken stock, oyster sauce, peas, and carrots. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch slurry and add it to the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
- Pour beaten egg into the wok in a thin stream. Let it set briefly, then stir gently to create ribbons.
- Add a drizzle of sesame oil and top with chopped scallions.
Notes
- Keep the heat gentle while cooking to maintain the shrimp’s tender texture.
- The butterfly cut helps cook shrimp evenly and makes them more tender.
- Choose tail-off shrimp for easier eating.
- You can replace oyster sauce with soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
What to Serve With Shrimp in Lobster Sauce
A perfect pairing of side dishes with shrimp with lobster sauce improves your dining experience and creates a balanced Chinese-American feast. White rice makes a traditional foundation for this dish. We chose it because its mild flavor lets the rich sauce shine while soaking up every delicious drop.
Brown rice or cauliflower rice work great as nutritious alternatives with this savory sauce. Brown rice brings a nutty flavor and extra fiber to your meal that makes it both tasty and wholesome.
Noodles make another excellent base for this dish. Chinese egg noodles, the thin variety, match the sauce’s texture perfectly. Plus, you might want to try lo mein or crispy pan-fried noodles to add some texture contrast.
Shrimp and lobster sauce pairs naturally with Chinese vegetables. Baby bok choy steamed with a touch of garlic adds a fresh, crisp element that balances the rich sauce. Chinese broccoli (gai lan) brings a slightly bitter note that cuts through the main dish’s savory flavors.
Stir-fried vegetables work great as side dishes. A mix of snap peas, carrots, and water chestnuts adds color and crunch to your plate. These vegetables look great next to the main dish and offer different textures and nutrients.
Here are some dishes that round out your feast:
- Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup as a starter
- Spring rolls or dumplings for additional texture
- Chinese cucumber salad for freshness
The sauce tastes amazing with blanched vegetables. Just quickly cook your favorite Asian greens in boiling water and drizzle some lobster sauce over them for an instant flavor boost.
Chinese pickled vegetables or marinated cucumber can prep your palate for the main course. These acidic elements create a nice contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the Chinese lobster sauce.
Balance plays a key role in Chinese cuisine. Your plate should include different colors, textures, and flavors. The mix of protein-rich shrimp, savory sauce, and fresh vegetables creates a well-rounded meal that hits all the right notes for nutrition and taste.
Family-style dining works best with shrimp lobster sauce placed in the center of the table, surrounded by various side dishes. This setup lets everyone share and build their perfect plate.
Read also: Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
Health Benefits of Shrimp With Lobster Sauce
Shrimp with lobster sauce tastes amazing and comes packed with health benefits that make it a great choice for your table. The mix of lean protein from shrimp and nutrient-rich ingredients creates a dish that supports your health naturally.
Shrimp stands out as the main protein in this dish with its exceptional nutrition. You’ll find it rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boost heart health and support brain function. The shrimp’s high protein content comes with zinc, iron, and selenium – minerals your body needs for immune function and cell repair.
Chinese lobster sauce uses fermented black beans that work wonders for gut health through their probiotic content. These fermented ingredients help you digest food better and support healthy gut bacteria growth. Black beans also pack fiber and plant-based protein, which makes the sauce more complete nutritionally.
Traditional recipes include ground pork that adds vitamin B12 and zinc to the dish. You can adjust the pork amount or skip it completely to cut down on fat without losing much of the dish’s nutritional goodness.
The garlic and ginger in shrimp and lobster sauce do more than just add flavor. These ingredients contain compounds that fight inflammation naturally. Garlic supports heart health while ginger helps digestion and can ease nausea.
Green peas show up often in Chinese shrimp with lobster sauce and boost its nutritional value. These tiny vegetables contain impressive amounts of vitamins A and C with dietary fiber. When combined with protein-rich ingredients, you get a balanced meal that helps keep blood sugar steady.
The cornstarch that thickens lobster sauce barely adds any calories while creating that signature texture. The eggs stirred into the sauce add high-quality protein and choline – a nutrient that supports your brain’s health and metabolism.
Quick cooking over high heat preserves most nutrients in the ingredients. This method keeps vitamins and minerals intact. The light cooking style also means you consume less fat compared to deep-fried dishes.
Your sodium intake stays in check when you cut back on soy sauce or use low-sodium options in the lobster sauce recipe. Fresh ingredients will still give you great flavor while supporting your health goals.
References:
– Livestrong
– WebMD
Nutrition Information
Let’s look at what goes into a standard serving of shrimp with lobster sauce to help you make better food choices. A typical restaurant portion (2 cups or 16 ounces) has these nutritional values:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 255mg |
| Sodium | 1,450mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 42g |
This classic Chinese-American dish packs a punch with its micronutrients. The shrimp and vegetables help meet your daily nutritional needs.
Here’s what you get from vitamins in a single serving:
- Vitamin A: 15% of Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 20% DV
- Vitamin B12: 80% DV
- Vitamin D: 12% DV
The Chinese lobster sauce with shrimp has these important minerals:
- Iron: 25% DV
- Calcium: 8% DV
- Potassium: 12% DV
- Zinc: 15% DV
- Selenium: 85% DV
The sauce makes up about 120 calories of the total count. Shrimp, ground pork, and vegetables make up the rest. The egg ribbons in the lobster sauce add about 6 grams to the total protein.
Your sodium intake might vary based on how it’s made. Restaurant versions usually have more sodium than what you’d make at home where you can control the seasoning.
Shrimp and lobster sauce breaks down into these macronutrients:
- Protein: 44% of total calories
- Carbohydrates: 23% of total calories
- Fat: 33% of total calories
This dish works well with different eating styles:
- High-protein diets
- Moderate-carb meal plans
- Mediterranean-style eating (when served with vegetables)
The protein in Chinese shrimp with lobster sauce ranks high in quality and gives you all essential amino acids. Seafood and egg protein together are great for keeping your muscles healthy.
Macro trackers should know that carbs can change based on how much cornstarch thickens the sauce. You can adjust this at home without losing the authentic taste.
References:
– Eat This Much
– Crabmanager
Conclusion
Shrimp with lobster sauce is evidence of Chinese-American culinary innovation that combines exceptional taste with nutritional benefits. This classic dish might have a misleading name, but it creates restaurant-quality flavors using simple ingredients quickly.
Home preparation gives you control over ingredients and costs less than takeout. You can adjust the sauce consistency, protein portions, or vegetable combinations based on your priorities without losing the authentic taste that makes this dish popular.
The recipe works perfectly for casual family dinners and special occasions alike. You can serve it with steamed rice or your favorite sides to create a protein-rich meal that satisfies hunger and provides nutrition. This approachable recipe belongs in your regular meal rotation, regardless of your Chinese cooking experience.
