Stir fry chili garlic whole shrimp is a tasty and simple seafood dish like baked whole salmon, salt & pepper squid, spicy lemon shrimp, steamed shrimp, crab stir fry, and steamed fish. This Asian style stir fry chili garlic whole shrimp recipe is juicy, spicy and a hint of sweetness. Let’s learn how to cook chili garlic whole shrimp in 10 minutes with step by step photos and a video!
Love Asian food? Check out these tom yum kung, mapo tofu, pan fried buns, satay chicken, steamed meatball, lobster yee mein, shrimp chips and scrambled eggs & shrimp recipes.
What is chili garlic shrimp?
Chili garlic shrimp is a flavorful and spicy dish that features shrimp cooked with a combination of chili peppers and garlic. People have different ways to cook it and taste may vary. However, the basic idea involves sautéing or stir-frying shrimp with minced garlic and chili peppers in oil or butter. Some like to add other ingredients such as soy sauce, lemon or lime juice, herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
You can adjust the spiciness according to your personal preference. Also, you can use different types of chili peppers and adjust the amount. Some recipes might use fresh chili peppers, while others might use chili paste or chili flakes. Besides, adding garlic gives a rich and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Chili garlic shrimp is often served over rice, fried rice, noodles. This Asian style stir fry chili garlic sauce with whole shrimp is juicy, spicy and slightly sweet. In Asian cuisine, shrimp are often cooked as a whole that have heads and shells on. Besides, they usually use the fresh ones, not frozen shrimp. Not only is it convenient to cook, but also it retains shrimp juicy and gives more umami flavor to the food.
Moreover, shrimp have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iodine, protein and good cholesterol. Also, they are low in food energy and calories. It is a great quick dish for shrimp lovers. Also, this chili garlic whole shrimp recipe makes it a popular and delicious seafood option for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
What is the best way to cook shrimp ?
The best way to cook shrimp depends on personal preferences. You can grill, boil, bake, steam, deep fry or stir fry shrimp.
For this chili garlic whole shrimp recipe, I like to cook shrimp in a hot pan with some oil, garlic, and chili sauce. This method is fast, quick and versatile. Also, it allows you to incorporate shrimp into various dishes like noodles, stir fry, fried rice or rice dishes.
What is the secret to making juicy shrimp?
Achieving juicy shrimp, it involves careful cooking to prevent overcooking which can lead to a dry and rubbery texture.
Don't Overcook! Shrimp cooks very quickly, usually in just a few minutes. Overcooked shrimp can become dry and lose their natural juiciness. Cook them just until they turn opaque and pink. Remove them from the heat as soon as they are cooked through.
Also, use medium to medium-high heat when cooking shrimp. High heat can cause them to cook too quickly on the outside while remaining undercooked inside. If you want juicy shrimp, the best to cook with the shell on because it can help retain moisture during the cooking process. You can peel them afterward or when you eat them because leaving the shells on have more umami flavor.
What is chili garlic sauce?
Chili garlic sauce is a condiment that adds heat and flavor to a variety of dishes. It typically consists of chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and sometimes other ingredients like sugar and salt. The exact recipe can vary among brands and homemade versions.
Chili garlic sauce is known for its versatility and is often used in Asian cuisines, such as Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese. It can be used as a condiment or as an ingredient in cooking, adding heat and depth of flavor to stir fry, noodles, dumplings, marinades, dipping sauces and more. Many people also use it as a spicy alternative to traditional hot sauces.
Also, you can make homemade garlic chili sauce by blending the ingredients to your taste preferences. Homemade versions allow you to customize the level of spiciness and other flavor elements.
In this chili garlic whole shrimp recipe, I like to use Lee Kum Kee chili garlic sauce because it is less spicy and my kids can handle the heat.
Where to buy chili garlic sauce?
You can find commercially produced chili garlic sauce in most Asian grocery stores or some regular grocery stores in the international section.
What kind of shrimp to use?
When it comes to choosing shrimp for cooking, there are several factors to consider, including size, freshness and whether they are shell-on or peeled.
In this chili garlic shrimp recipe, I prefer to use large to XL whole shrimp with shell and head on. Shell-on shrimp tend to have a slightly richer flavor because the shells can add depth umami flavor. However, you can use the peeled shrimp if you want to be more convenient for eating.
Fresh shrimp are ideal, but frozen shrimp is easier to find and more available. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them properly before cooking, either by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water. Besides, look for shrimp with a firm texture, a mild sea scent (not overly fishy) and a translucent appearance.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Sure, you can! In the states, most shrimp are sold frozen with heads off or no shells. Usually, I buy a box of frozen raw whole shrimp at an Asian store. Although frozen raw shrimp does not have the same texture as fresh live shrimp, the taste is still great with stir fry chili garlic sauce.
What are the ingredients for stir fry chili garlic whole shrimp?
In this chili garlic whole shrimp recipe, the ingredients are chili garlic sauce, garlic, raw whole shrimp, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, green onion and vegetable oil.
Can I use butter to substitute vegetable oil?
Yes, definitely you can use butter instead of vegetable oil. Actually, Western people like to use butter to cook shrimp and seafood.
What's the best way to store leftover chili garlic shrimp?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for 3-4 days. Cover a wet paper towel and reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Cooking tips for how to cook chili garlic shrimp:
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture. Look for shrimp that have a firm texture, a mild sea scent and a translucent appearance.
- The best is to use whole shrimp with shell and head on.
- Fresh one is ideal. If not, frozen whole shrimp.
- The spiciness of chili garlic shrimp depends on the type and quantity of chili peppers used. Adjust the heat level to your preference. If you prefer a milder, add a little bit of chili garlic sauce. I suggest adding half tablespoon at a time.
- To achieve a well-balanced flavor, add brown sugar or sugar to add the touch of sweetness.
- Don't over cook the shrimp because it will change to a tough and dry texture.
- Remember to add chili garlic sauce depending on how hot you can handle. I suggest adding half tablespoon at a time.
FAQs:
Yes, but it is best to enjoy them fresh. Cook the shrimp just before serving to maintain their texture and freshness.
Rice, fried rice, noodles or crusty bread. You can also serve it with vegetables or a side salad.
Yes, you can make your own sauce using fresh chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and other seasonings. You can experiment with the ingredients to achieve your desired flavor.
Instructions for how to cook chili garlic whole shrimp:
Preparation:
1. Mince 5 cloves of garlic.
2. Cut 3 sticks of green onion.
Cooking:
3. Pour ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil into a non-stick pan and turn on medium to high fire. Then, add minced garlic and stir fry for a minute.
4. Next, add the washed whole raw shrimp and stir fry a little bit.
5. After that, add 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce, ½ tablespoon of soy sauce, ½ tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of water and stir fry for a few minutes.
6. Until the shrimp cooks. It turns orange red. (Around 3-5 minutes and don't over cook them because the texture of shrimp will change.)
7. When the shrimp is cooked, add the chopped green onion, mix it and ready to serve.
Enjoy this simple and tasty garlic chili shrimp recipe and check out these laksa noodle soup, Asian shaved ice, musubi, salmon sushi cups, pad Thai noodle, cashew shrimp, chicken udon stir fry and Vietnamese spring rolls recipes.
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Garlic Chili Shrimp
Video
Ingredients
- 5 cloves Garlic
- 1 pound Raw whole shrimp
- 1 tablespoon Chili garlic sauce (Lee Kum Kee) (Depends how spicy you can handle, you can add more and less.)
- ½ tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Water
- ½ tablespoon Brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 3 sticks Green onion
Instructions
- Mince 5 cloves of garlic.
- Cut 3 sticks of green onion.
- Pour ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil into a non-stick pan and turn on medium to high fire. Then, add minced garlic and stir fry for a minute.
- Next, add the washed whole raw shrimp and stir fry a little bit.
- After that, add 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce, ½ tablespoon of soy sauce, ½ tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of water and stir fry a few minutes.
- Until the shrimp cooks. It turns orange red. (Around 3-5 minutes and don't over cook them because the texture of shrimp will change.)
- When the shrimp is cooked, add the chopped green onion, mix it and ready to serve.
Notes
Cooking tips for how to make chili garlic shrimp:
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture. Look for shrimp that have a firm texture, a mild sea scent and a translucent appearance.
- The best is to use whole shrimp with shell and head on.
- Fresh one is ideal. If not, frozen whole shrimp.
- The spiciness of chili garlic shrimp depends on the type and quantity of chili peppers used. Adjust the heat level to your preference. If you prefer a milder, add a little bit of chili garlic sauce. I suggest adding half tablespoon at a time.
- To achieve a well-balanced flavor, add brown sugar or sugar to add the touch of sweetness.
- Don't over cook the shrimp because it will change to a tough and dry texture.
- Remember to add chili garlic sauce depending on how hot you can handle. I suggest adding half tablespoon at a time.
Shelia McLendon says
Loved it. It was so easy to make!
Kate says
Delicious and super easy to make!
Norb says
Pretty good served with some rice. A little ginger is great and adds another flavor level.
Some sliced red chili’s makes it look awesome! A+
YourFriendPablo says
Great, I really like it! Youre awesome