Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry, a quick and easy dish that brings the taste of Chinese cuisine right to your home kitchen. This recipe features plump, juicy shrimp coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, honey, and a hint of spice. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or for impressing guests, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or fresh vegetables. Enjoy the delicious crunch of sesame seeds sprinkled on top as a finishing touch, adding texture and a nutty flavor to each bite.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1/2 cup (none)
soy sauce
1/2 cup (none)
rice vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (none)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (none)
garlic powder
1 teaspoon (none)
sesame oil
1 teaspoon (none)
red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (none)
medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails off
1 lb (none)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
sesame seeds
for garnish (none)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the mixture thoroughly until well blended and set aside.
2
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely.
3
Once the butter is melted, add the shrimp to the skillet. Season the shrimp generously with salt and pepper. Sauté the shrimp for approximately 3-4 minutes or until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate or bowl and set aside.
4
Increase the heat to high and give the sauce a good stir before pouring it into the skillet. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
5
Reduce the heat to medium and return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss the shrimp in the sauce to ensure they are well coated. Allow the shrimp to heat through for another 30 seconds.
6
Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy your Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry over a bed of rice or with your favorite vegetables for a delicious meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry?
Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry is a quick and easy Chinese-inspired dish featuring plump shrimp coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, honey flavors, and sesame.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What type of shrimp should I use for this stir-fry?
You should use 1 lb of medium shrimp that are peeled, deveined, and have the tails removed.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp?
The shrimp should be sautéed for approximately 3-4 minutes or until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
What ingredients are needed for the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce consists of water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
Is this Honey Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry spicy?
It has a hint of spice from 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, but it is generally considered mild.
How do I thicken the sauce?
The sauce thickens by simmering it on high heat for about 3-4 minutes, aided by the cornstarch in the mixture.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make a gluten-free version by using a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
What should I serve with Honey Sesame Shrimp?
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or a variety of fresh vegetables.
What kind of oil provides the nutty flavor in this dish?
Sesame oil is used to provide the signature nutty flavor and aroma.
What is the garnish for this recipe?
The dish is garnished with sesame seeds to add texture and additional nutty flavor.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
What type of vinegar is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of rice vinegar for the sauce.
Do I need to leave the tails on the shrimp?
No, the recipe recommends using shrimp with the tails off for easier eating.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
When do I add the shrimp back into the pan?
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet after the sauce has thickened, then toss them to coat.
What heat setting is used to cook the shrimp?
The shrimp are sautéed over medium-high heat.
How much light brown sugar is in the sauce?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of light brown sugar.
Can I use cornstarch as a thickener?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch is whisked into the sauce mixture to help it thicken.
How long should the shrimp heat once returned to the sauce?
Allow the shrimp to heat through for only about 30 seconds once they are back in the skillet.
What is the first step in preparing this recipe?
The first step is to whisk together the water, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, and spices in a mixing bowl.
Do I need to season the shrimp with salt and pepper?
Yes, you should season the shrimp generously with salt and pepper to taste while they are sautéing.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick meal' and an 'easy recipe,' making it suitable for busy weeknights.
How much soy sauce is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of soy sauce.
What category of cuisine does this dish fall under?
This dish is categorized as Chinese cuisine.
Can I add extra vegetables to this stir-fry?
While the base recipe focuses on shrimp, it is often served with fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
What is the role of the unsalted butter?
The butter is melted in the skillet to provide a rich base for sautéing the shrimp.
How much water is needed for the sauce?
You will need 1/2 cup of water.
Should the skillet be nonstick?
Yes, a large nonstick skillet is recommended for the best results when cooking the shrimp.
Is the shrimp cooked at the same time as the sauce?
No, the shrimp are cooked first and set aside; the sauce is then simmered and thickened separately before the shrimp are reintroduced.