Budget-friendly crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce topped with caramelized walnuts! Tastes just like take-out, but BETTER!

Honey Walnut Shrimp - Budget-friendly crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce topped with caramelized walnuts! Tastes just like take-out, but BETTER!

I’m kind of a sucker for Chinese food. I could eat it on any given night, and whenever we order take-out, the honey walnut shrimp must always be ordered.

Always.

Now this dish involves an epic concoction of crispy battered shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce along with some candy-glazed walnuts.

It’s actually one of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants, but it’s also the most expensive dish on the menu. But sure enough, you could make this right at home for just $10! With one pound of shrimp, some walnuts, honey, condensed milk and a bit of mayo, you can easily recreate this on a tight budget.

But don’t be like me and hoard those walnuts.

They. are. dangerous.

You’ve been warned.

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Budget-friendly crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce topped with caramelized walnuts! Tastes just like take-out, but BETTER!
5 stars (17 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup walnut halves
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ teaspoons honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons condensed milk
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ cup cornstarch

Instructions

  • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Heat 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add sugar and stir, constantly, until golden and thickened. Add walnuts and gently toss to combine. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined plate.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey and condensed milk; set aside.
  • Season shrimp with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Working one at a time, dip the shrimp into the egg, then dredge in the cornstarch, pressing to coat.
  • Working in batches, add the shrimp to the skillet, 8-10 at a time, and fry until evenly golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • In a large bowl, combine shrimp and honey mixture.
  • Serve immediately, topped with walnuts.

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