Walnut shrimp, also sometimes known as Honey Walnut Shrimp, is one of those recipes that goes a long way back for me. It probably goes way back for any Cantonese kid growing up near a Chinatown!
It’s appears at most Chinese banquets, whether for a wedding, birthday, Chinese New Year, or newborn baby. For those of you lucky enough to have attended one of these banquets, you know what I mean.
Walnut Shrimp is also sometimes called “Milk Oil” Shrimp, or nai yóu xiā (奶油虾), because of the creamy sauce used.
NOTE:
This recipe was originally published on May 6, 2017. We have since updated it with additional information, clearer instructions, metric measurements, and nutrition info. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
The Chinese Banquet Dish Without Leftovers!
Walnut shrimp is usually served as the 3rd or 4th course of a banquet meal—just when you’re getting warmed up. Chefs toss crispy fried shrimp in a creamy honey sauce, and serve it with blanched broccoli and crunchy candied walnuts.
A NOte on Honey
We’re actually making honey optional in our version of the recipe. Honey is very expensive, and we doubt the most restaurants use it in their versions. Plus, we think a tangy sauce tastes better than an overly sweet one, but feel free to add honey to yours!
By the time the Cantonese Lobster and whole steamed fish come around, you’ve probably slowed down a bit. When the waiters serve the banquet fried rice and long life noodles, you appreciate the tiny bowls they give you, along with the take-out boxes to fill.
Walnut shrimp, however, is one of the early dishes, and it disappears quickly! You know when the waiters distribute any leftovers from the last course before bringing out the next? There really is no such thing as leftover walnut shrimp.
While there are many versions of this dish out there at Chinese restaurants and even chains, like the Panda Express honey walnut shrimp, I am going to be sharing the traditional banquet version.
Here’s the test. Go to your local Chinatown and find a good banquet restaurant. Order their finest Walnut Shrimp dish. Eat it fresh, not as takeout!
Then, on the way home, stop by the fish and vegetable market to pick up the ingredients. Follow this recipe at home, and wham! I think you’ll find the one you make to be comparable—if not better—than the restaurant version.
It’s the real deal, with that recognizable, nostalgic flavor and texture you know and love. I’d wager it’s the only walnut shrimp recipe you’ll ever make at home again.
Easy to Make In Your Kitchen
One additional comment I must make, is that while this walnut shrimp recipe may look like there’s a lot of prep time, it’s actually quite simple.
I just went all out to give you as much detail as possible, including the right sequence of steps and tips, so you can make it like a pro!
Some recipes out there call for egg whites or batter, but we don’t have to make a tempura batter or anything like that here. For the right texture, all you need is cornstarch. It’s easier than you think!
Enjoy this one folks. I know you will!
Walnut Shrimp: Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Walnuts
Heat enough oil in a small pot over medium-high heat so that it’s deep enough to submerge a whole shrimp. This is why the recipe calls for a range of 3 to 4 cups.
(You’re frying the walnuts now, but you’ll use the same pot of oil for the shrimp.) You can use canola oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil here!
While the oil is heating, pour 2 tablespoons of water, granulated sugar and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan over low heat to make your simple syrup. Stir occasionally to reduce, 3 to 5 minutes.
When the oil reaches 325°F/160°C, fry the walnuts for about 4 minutes.
They are ready when they start to turn a golden brown color. Some people like their walnuts more or less toasted, so you can experiment to your own taste. The difference is really in the last 30 to 60 seconds, so make that decision quickly!
Once the walnuts are done, scoop them out quickly with a slotted spoon, draining as much oil off as possible. Transfer them to the saucepan with your simple syrup.
Continue stirring the walnuts in the simple syrup over medium-low heat until there is no remaining liquid in the saucepan. The syrup should completely coat the walnuts without dripping off.
This step is important, because you want a thin and hard candy coating on your walnuts. If you take them out too early, they will be chewy rather than crunchy.
When they are ready, transfer them to a parchment lined sheet pan, spreading them out so they are not touching each other.
Note:
When Sarah shot the photos for this recipe, you can see some drips of sugar on the parchment-lined sheet pan, an indication that I took some of them out too early and the sugar did not harden up like it should have in this batch!
One last comment on the quantity of walnuts for the recipe is that 30 walnut halves may sound like a lot for a garnish, but I think I ate 10 of them while cooking this dish!
Use your own judgment on how many you want to make, but you may even want to double the batch and save some for later, because they are that good.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Next, combine the mayonnaise, condensed milk, rice vinegar, salt and honey (if using) in a small bowl, and stir until smooth. Set aside. You want this sauce to be at room temperature.
A Note on Mayonnaise
Feel free to use a Japanese mayo such as Kewpie mayo if you like, but you can also use regular Hellman’s Mayonnaise!
Step 3: Prepare the Shrimp
Prepare the cleaned, raw shrimp by first making the cuts on the back of the shrimp deeper, so they have more surface area for coating and open up into a nice shape when fried.
The recipe calls for peeled shrimp, but as you can see in the pictures, I left the tails on (because I like the taste of a fried crunchy shrimp tail, and the way they look in the finished dish).
That said, some people prefer the tails removed, and I have to admit that there is something to be said about biting into a completely crunchy shell-free shrimp. You make the call!
For more information on butterflying shrimp, see our post on How to Prepare Shrimp for Chinese Cooking.
Dredge the shrimp in cornstarch lightly and set aside.
Keep the remaining cornstarch handy, because you will have to lightly dredge again just before frying.
Step 4: Blanch the Broccoli
Bring a wok or pot of water to a boil for your broccoli. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon oil to the pot. Blanch the broccoli florets for 30 seconds, and immediately scoop them out.
The salt in the water gives the broccoli some flavor, while the oil gives the florets a nice sheen.
Transfer the blanched broccoli to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. After 10 to 15 seconds in the water, drain into a colander. The broccoli should still be very warm, but the shock of the cold water will keep them green.
Next, arrange them around the perimeter of a serving plate. Cook the broccoli just before you fry the shrimp, as the broccoli should be warm when served.
Step 5: Fry the Shrimp
Next, bring your frying oil (the same oil you used for the walnuts) up to 350°F/175°C. Dredge the shrimp for a second time in the remaining cornstarch, since the shrimp may have absorbed some of the cornstarch from the first dredging.
Carefully drop the shrimp one at a time into the oil, quickly in succession. You will have to do this in several batches, depending on the size of your pot.
Keep in mind, you don’t want the shrimp to stick together. Move quickly to drop in each batch of shrimp at around the same time, so they cook evenly. This also ensures they cook through at the same time.
Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gently roll them around in the oil so they fry evenly, but take care so none of the oil splashes out of the pot.
Transfer the fried shrimp to a large stainless steel mixing bowl. No need to drain the shrimp on paper towels or a wire rack.
Tip!
We’re minimizing oil use by using a smaller pot with less oil. However, you’ll still be left with a few cups of excess frying oil.
Allow the oil to cool, strain it through a fine meshed strainer into an airtight container, and refrigerate. This infused oil can be used for stir-frying or other cooking, and it will add flavor to those other dishes!
Step 6: Assemble the Dish!
When all the shrimp have been fried, pour the creamy sauce mixture on top of the shrimp. Gently toss the shrimp in the sauce until coated. This process should be quick!
Pour the shrimp onto the plate lined with broccoli, and sprinkle with the candied walnuts.
Serve!
Follow our authentic walnut shrimp recipe, and this is what you get. I promise that it tastes just like the walnut shrimp you get at any Cantonese banquet restaurant, and much better than any fast food walnut shrimp dish you’ll ever order!
Walnut Shrimp
Ingredients
For the candied walnuts:
- 3-4 cups neutral oil (for frying, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil; you'll use the same oil for the shrimp)
- 30 walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the shrimp:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound large shrimp (16/20 size shrimp, peeled and deveined)
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
For the broccoli:
- 8 ounces broccoli (cut into medium florets)
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat a few inches of oil in a small pot, so that it’s deep enough to submerge a whole shrimp. This is why the recipe calls for a range of 3 to 4 cups. When the oil reaches 325°F/160°C, fry the walnuts for about 4 minutes. They are ready when they start to turn a golden brown color. Some people like their walnuts more or less toasted, so you can experiment to your own taste. The difference is really in the last 30 to 60 seconds, so make that decision quickly!
- While the oil is heating, pour 2 tablespoons of water, granulated sugar and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan over low heat to make your simple syrup. Stir occasionally to reduce, 3 to 5 minutes. Once the walnuts are done, scoop them out quickly with a slotted spoon, draining as much oil off as possible. Transfer them to the saucepan with your simple syrup.
- Continue stirring the walnuts in the simple syrup over medium low heat until there is no remaining liquid in the saucepan, and the syrup is completely coating the walnuts without dripping off. This step is important, because you want a thin and hard candy coating on your walnuts. If you take them out too early, they will be chewy rather than crunchy. When they are ready, transfer them to a parchment lined sheet pan, spreading them out so they are not touching each other.
- Next, combine the mayonnaise, condensed milk, rice vinegar, honey (if using), and salt in a small bowl, and stir until smooth. Set aside. You want this sauce to be at room temperature.
- Prepare the cleaned shrimp by first making the cuts on the back of the shrimp deeper, so they get a nice coating and will open up into a nice shape when fried.
- Dredge the shrimp in cornstarch lightly and set aside. Keep the remaining cornstarch handy, because you will probably have to lightly dredge again just before frying.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil for your broccoli, and add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon oil to the pot. Blanch the broccoli florets for 30 seconds, and immediately scoop them out. Transfer to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. After 10 to 15 seconds in the water, drain into a colander. The broccoli should still be very warm, but the shock of the cold water will keep them green. Next, arrange them around the perimeter of a serving plate. Cook the broccoli just before you fry the shrimp, as the broccoli should be warm when served.
- Next, bring your frying oil (the same oil you used for the walnuts) up to 350°F/175°C and dredge the shrimp for a second time in the remaining cornstarch, since the shrimp may have absorbed some of the cornstarch from the first dredging. Drop the shrimp one at a time into the oil carefully, but quickly in succession. You will have to do this in several batches, depending on the size of your pot. Keep in mind, you don’t want the shrimp to stick together, and you want to move quickly to drop in each batch of shrimp at around the same time so that they cook evenly and are done at the same time.
- Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gently roll them around in the oil so they fry evenly, but take care so none of the oil splashes out of the pot.
- Transfer the fried shrimp to a large stainless steel mixing bowl. When all the shrimp have been fried, pour the creamy sauce mixture on top of the shrimp, and gently toss the shrimp in the sauce until coated. This process should be quick!
- Pour the shrimp onto the plate lined with broccoli, and sprinkle with the candied walnuts. Serve.
