Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dish for any occasion? Look no further than this Kung Pao Shrimp recipe! Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar creates a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- With a quick prep time and minimal ingredients, this recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- The addition of jumbo shrimp and roasted peanuts adds a delightful texture to each bite.
Ingredient Notes:
- Soy sauce: Adds a salty umami flavor to the dish.
- Brown sugar: Provides a hint of sweetness to balance the flavors.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy kick to the sauce.
- Jumbo shrimp: The star ingredient, providing a meaty texture to the dish.
- Roasted peanuts: Adds crunch and nuttiness to the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl.
- Sauté red onion, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, and dried red chilis in olive oil.
- Add shrimp, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and cook until opaque.
- Pour the sauce over the shrimp and vegetables, add peanuts, and simmer until thickened.
- Garnish with green onions and serve over steamed rice.
Helpful Tips:
- For extra heat, increase the amount of dried red chilis.
- Swap out shrimp for chicken or tofu for a different variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Marinate the shrimp in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking for enhanced flavor.
- Use a wok for traditional stir-fry cooking to achieve a smoky flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this Kung Pao Shrimp with steamed jasmine rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To reheat, gently warm the dish in a skillet over low heat to preserve the texture of the shrimp and vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
- Yes, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- How spicy is this dish?
- The level of spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or fewer dried red chilis.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- While best served fresh, you can store leftovers for a few days in the refrigerator.
- What can I substitute for peanuts?
- Cashews or almonds can be used as a substitute for roasted peanuts.
Conclusion:
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try this flavorful and easy Kung Pao Shrimp recipe. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this dish is sure to impress with its bold flavors and simple preparation. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
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Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Kung Pao Shrimp recipe is a flavorful and spicy dish with jumbo shrimp, crunchy peanuts, and a savory sauce served over a bed of steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium red onion, cubed
- ½ medium red bell pepper, cubed
- ½ medium yellow bell pepper, cubed
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 8–10 whole dried red chilis
- 1½ pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cook vegetables: Sauté onion and bell peppers in olive oil until tender.
- Add aromatics and shrimp: Stir in garlic, ginger, and chilis. Add shrimp and cook until opaque.
- Combine: Pour in the sauce, add peanuts, and simmer until thickened.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and enjoy over rice.
Notes
- Prep all ingredients before starting for efficient cooking.
- Use pre-peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience.
- Thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to maintain tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg