Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Honey walnut shrimp is a classic Chinese-American dish that has gained its popularity when Panda Express introduced it to their menu. This dish is perfect combination of crispy shrimp that are tossed in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, soy sauce, mayonnaise, sesame oil, and black pepper. The walnuts add a bit of crunch and richness to the dish.
This dish is a great option for a quick and easy meal, and it is also a popular choice for parties and potlucks. It is a relatively easy dish to make.Â
There are a few tips that can help you make the best honey walnut shrimp possible.
- Use large, deveined, and de-shelled shrimp. This will ensure that the shrimp cook evenly and that the sauce can easily coat them.
- Use cornstarch instead of flour when coating fried chicken to give a crispier finish.Â
- Make sure the oil is hot before adding the shrimp. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the pan.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Fry them on high heat so you can achieve the crispy shrimp on the outside but also soft on inside.
- Toss the shrimp with the sauce immediately after frying. This will help the sauce coat the shrimp evenly and prevent it from drying out.
- Garnish the honey walnut shrimp with sesame seeds for extra flavor.
Here is a recipe for panda express honey walnut shrimp
For the Shrimp:
- 20 pieces shrimp (size 26-30, deveined, de-shelled)
- ¼ tsp of salt
For the Walnuts
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
For the sauceÂ
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp condensed milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp saltÂ
How to make honey walnut shrimp
- Season the shrimp with salt and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, condensed milk, honey, lemon juice, water and salt.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook with water the sugar, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat when the water evaporates almost all the way and the walnuts turn golden brown and fragrant.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add enough oil to fill the pan about 1/2 inch deep.
- Fry the shrimp: Working in batches, add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and immediately toss with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with walnuts and sesame seeds (optional) and serve immediately.
Variations on Honey Walnut Shrimp
There are many variations on honey walnut shrimp that you can try. For example, you can add other ingredients to the sauce, such as ginger, garlic, or chili peppers. You can also use different types of nuts, such as almonds or cashews if you don’t like walnuts.
Another variation is to use a different type of batter for the shrimp. For example, you could use a cornstarch batter or a tempura batter. You could also try pan-frying the shrimp instead of deep-frying them.
Here are some additional tips for making honey walnut shrimp:
- Make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate the shrimp in a single layer when frying.
- To prevent the walnuts from burning, cook them in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir them frequently so that they cook evenly.
- If you don’t have sesame seeds, you can garnish the honey walnut shrimp with chopped green onions or cilantro.
- Add some paprika powder for extra heat when you toss the shrimp with the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, feel free to add some water to make it more liquidity. Â
- Dipping honey walnut shrimp in sriracha is my favorite way to add some kick to the taste.Â
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
Honey walnut shrimp is a classic Chinese-American dish that is both delicious and easy to make. The crispy shrimp are tossed in a sweet and savory sauce that is made with honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sesame oil, and black pepper. The walnuts add a bit of crunch and richness to the dish. This dish is a great option for a quick and easy meal, and it is also a popular choice for parties and potlucks. It is a relatively easy dish to make.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 20 pieces shrimp (size 26-30, deveined, de-shelled)
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Walnuts
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp condensed milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Season the shrimp with salt and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, condensed milk, honey, lemon juice, water and salt.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook with water the sugar, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat when the water evaporates almost all the way and the walnuts turn golden brown and fragrant.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add enough oil to fill the pan about 1/2 inch deep.
- Fry the shrimp: Working in batches, add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and immediately toss with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with walnuts and sesame seeds (optional) and serve immediately.
