Get ready to bring the irresistible flavors of a beloved takeout classic into your own kitchen with this honey walnut shrimp recipe. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll love recreating the delicate balance of crispy shrimp, sweet honey glaze, and crunchy caramelized walnuts that make this dish so special.
Imagine biting into a succulent shrimp coated in a luscious, creamy sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of nuttiness. With easy-to-follow steps and readily available ingredients, you’ll feel confident as you transform your dining room into a gourmet experience, delighting everyone with each delectable bite.
About This honey walnut shrimp panda express Recipe
- Restaurant-quality flavor: This recipe perfectly captures the signature sweet and savory taste of Panda Express’s beloved honey walnut shrimp.
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
- Crispy and delicious: The shrimp are coated in a light, crispy batter that contrasts beautifully with the creamy honey sauce.
- Homemade freshness: Enjoy the freshness of homemade ingredients without any unnecessary preservatives or additives.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the level of sweetness or add a touch of spice to suit your personal taste preferences.
- Impressive presentation: The combination of golden shrimp and candied walnuts makes for a visually stunning dish that’s sure to impress guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-quality taste: This honey walnut shrimp recipe brings the iconic flavor of Panda Express right to your kitchen, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Quick and easy preparation: With simple steps and readily available ingredients, you’ll have this delightful dish ready in just 30 minutes.
- Crunchy and creamy texture: The crispy shrimp paired with candied walnuts and a creamy sauce makes for a satisfying and indulgent experience.
- Healthier homemade option: By controlling the ingredients, you can enjoy this dish with less oil and sugar than the restaurant version.
- Impressive for guests: Serve this stunning dish at dinner parties or family gatherings to wow your guests with its restaurant-quality presentation and taste.
- Versatile pairing: Enjoy this dish as a main course or pair it with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed works best)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Salt to taste
- Green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Note: Feel free to substitute large shrimp with medium shrimp if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
If sweetened condensed milk is unavailable, you can mix evaporated milk with some sugar as a substitute.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients such as the honey sauce and batter for the shrimp. If you don’t have a mixing bowl, a large, clean pot can be a substitute.
- Whisk: Used to thoroughly mix the honey sauce ingredients and ensure a smooth batter. A fork can be an alternative if a whisk is unavailable.
- Frying Pan or Deep Fryer: Needed for frying the shrimp to achieve their crispy texture. If using a frying pan, ensure it has deep sides to prevent oil splashes.
- Slotted Spoon or Tongs: Useful for removing the shrimp from hot oil while allowing excess oil to drain away. If neither is available, a regular spoon can work with care.
- Small Saucepan: Required for preparing and heating the honey sauce before tossing it with the shrimp. A small pot can also serve this purpose.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurately measuring both solid and liquid ingredients to ensure the correct balance of flavors.
- Paper Towels: Handy for draining fried shrimp, ensuring they remain crispy by absorbing excess oil.
Preparation Steps
- Heat a small pan over medium heat and toast the walnuts for about 3-5 minutes until they are golden and aromatic. Be careful not to burn them. Set aside to cool.
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the toasted walnuts to coat them evenly, then spread them on parchment paper to cool.
- Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy, then add cornstarch to create a smooth batter. Dip the shrimp into the batter, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
- Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in batches for about 3-4 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, condensed milk, and lemon juice until smooth. Toss the fried shrimp in the sauce until well-coated.
- Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter and sprinkle the candied walnuts on top. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice: The subtle fragrance of jasmine rice complements the sweet and savory flavors of the honey walnut shrimp, making it a perfect base for soaking up the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced green onions: Adding a sprinkle of fresh green onions provides a pop of color and a mild onion flavor that enhances the dish’s presentation and taste.
- Pair with a light Asian salad: A crisp salad with a sesame ginger dressing adds a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the shrimp, providing a balanced meal.
- Accompany with a glass of chilled white wine: A light, fruity white wine like a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with the dish’s sweetness, making it an excellent choice for dinner parties.
- Include a side of stir-fried vegetables: A mix of broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas adds color and crunch, complementing the shrimp while keeping the meal nutritious and satisfying.
- Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds: This simple garnish adds a nutty aroma and a slight crunch, enhancing both the flavor and visual appeal of the dish.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Toast the Walnuts: Before coating the walnuts in sugar, toast them lightly in a dry pan until golden brown. This enhances their natural flavor and adds a delightful crunch to your dish.
- Manage Batter Consistency: Ensure the batter for the shrimp is thick enough to coat them evenly but not too thick to create a heavy crust. Adjust with a bit of water or flour as needed to achieve the right consistency.
- Perfect Frying Temperature: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil at a steady 350°F (175°C). This ensures the shrimp cook quickly and evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
- Make-Ahead Sauce: Prepare the honey sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Warm it gently before tossing with the shrimp to save time on busy cooking days.
- Chef’s Secret Tossing Technique: After frying, toss the shrimp in the honey sauce while they’re still warm. This helps the sauce adhere better, ensuring a more flavorful and glossy finish.
- Balance the Sweetness: If you find the sauce too sweet, add a splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice. This will add a hint of acidity and balance the overall flavor profile.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly, and overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture. This often happens because people leave them in the pan too long. To avoid this, cook shrimp only until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove them from the heat immediately once cooked.
- Not Toasting the Walnuts: Skipping the step of toasting the walnuts can result in them lacking flavor and crunch. Toasting enhances their nuttiness and texture. To avoid this, lightly toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant and golden brown, taking care not to burn them.
- Using Cold Oil for Frying: Adding shrimp to oil that hasn’t reached the correct temperature can result in greasy, unevenly cooked shrimp. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 350°F (175°C) before frying. This helps create a crispy coating and prevents the shrimp from absorbing excess oil.
- Skipping the Cornstarch Coating: The cornstarch coating is crucial for achieving the signature crunch of honey walnut shrimp. Without it, the shrimp may be soggy. Coat the shrimp evenly in cornstarch before frying to ensure a crispy exterior.
- Not Letting the Sauce Thicken: Adding the sauce to the shrimp before it has thickened can make the dish watery. Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly over medium heat before tossing it with the shrimp and walnuts. This ensures the flavors adhere well to the shrimp.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can ensure your honey walnut shrimp turns out perfectly every time. With the right techniques and attention to detail, this dish will be a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store leftover honey walnut shrimp in an airtight container to maintain freshness. It is best consumed within 3 days when kept in the refrigerator.
- Container Choice: Use a glass or BPA-free plastic container with a tight seal to prevent the shrimp from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
- Freezing: If you wish to freeze the dish, place the shrimp in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Ensure that you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The shrimp can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Thawing: When ready to eat frozen leftovers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
- Reheating in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reheat for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the shrimp are warmed through, ensuring they do not overcook.
- Reheating in the Microwave: For a quicker option, place the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in short intervals of 30 seconds, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are heated evenly.
- Crisping Up Walnuts: To restore the crispness of the walnuts, you can briefly toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes before serving.
- Food Safety: Ensure that the reheated shrimp reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety. Discard any leftovers that have been stored for more than 3 days or reheated multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different type of nut instead of walnuts?
- Yes, you can substitute walnuts with pecans or cashews for a different flavor profile.
Q: What is the best type of shrimp to use for this recipe?
- Medium-sized, peeled, and deveined shrimp are ideal for this recipe to ensure even cooking and a manageable bite.
Q: How can I make the sauce thicker?
- Add a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, and stir it into the sauce while simmering.
Q: Is there a substitute for honey if I want a vegan version?
- Agave syrup or maple syrup can be used as vegan alternatives to honey in this recipe.
Q: How can I ensure the shrimp stays crispy?
- Fry the shrimp in hot oil until golden brown, and avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crispiness.
Q: What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
- White vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as substitutes for rice vinegar in this recipe.
Final Thoughts
The honey walnut shrimp recipe is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, capturing the essence of a Panda Express favorite right in your own kitchen. Its crispy shrimp, coated in a luscious honey glaze and paired with crunchy walnuts, makes this dish a standout. What’s special about this recipe is its ability to transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that will impress family and friends.
Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on this recipe—perhaps by adjusting the sweetness or adding a sprinkle of chili flakes for a hint of heat. Cooking is all about making a dish your own, and this recipe offers a perfect canvas for creativity. Have fun experimenting and make it uniquely yours.
We hope you feel inspired to try this honey walnut shrimp recipe and experience the joy of creating a beloved dish at home. It’s a chance to bring a taste of Panda Express to your table with love and simplicity. Happy cooking!