Steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli noodles is a classic Cantonese restaurant-style dish like steamed fish, ginger scallion crab, salt and pepper squid, lobster yee mein, and crispy noodles. Let's learn how to steam shrimp with garlic to make this delicious steamed garlic shrimp recipe in around 30 minutes, with step-by-step photos and a video to guide you to this restaurant dish at home.
Love authentic food? Check out these Chinese sticky rice dumplings, sesame balls, tang yuan, homemade ho fun noodles, siu mai, and tomato egg recipes.
What is steamed shrimp with garlic?
Steam shrimp with garlic is a classic Cantonese homey dish like pork patty, steamed pork ribs, hairy gourd vermicelli, and shrimp egg rice. It is often served in restaurants because it is delicious! Most authentic Chinese restaurants serve this dish for meals or at a banquet. My mother also likes to make it during special events like gatherings and the Chinese New Year.
Most of the time, people like to add vermicelli or glass noodles and steam with garlic shrimp because they taste amazing when they absorb the sauce from the shrimp or prawns and garlic. Adding vermicelli noodles is great for shrimp or prawns and suitable for other types of seafood.
What is the best way to serve steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli?
The best is to serve with rice and stir-fry vegetables such as sweet potato leaves stir fry, yu choy sum, gai lan, and baby bok choy stir fry.
What type of shrimp should I use for this dish?
For extra flavor, it's best to use raw large or jumbo shrimp with shells and head-on whole shrimp. Fresh shrimp is ideal, but frozen raw shrimp also works well.
Is it necessary to devein shrimp before cooking?
Deveining shrimp is optional but generally recommended for better texture, presentation, and hygiene. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to devein shrimp.
How long should I steam the shrimp?
Usually, it takes about 5–7 minutes to steam shrimp until they turn orange-pink. However, the time required for steaming may vary depending on the container used; in the steamed garlic shrimp recipe, gauge for 10-15 minutes. Overcooking shrimp, the texture is tough.
How do you tell when shrimp is fully cooked?
It is easy to tell if the shrimp is cooked by checking its color. Raw shrimp is translucent and grayish. However, cooked shrimp turns pinkish-orange. Properly cooked shrimp usually forms a gentle "C" shape (this means it's juicy and tender). On the other hand, overcooked shrimp often curls into a tight "O" shape, which means it's tough and chewy.
Do I need to soak the vermicelli noodles before steaming?
Yes, soak the vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15–30 minutes until soft. Drain them before placing them in the dish.
How do you prepare vermicelli noodles?
Different people prepare vermicelli noodles differently. Some like to boil the noodles after soaking. However, I soak the vermicelli for 15-30 minutes. Next, I lay them on a plate. I pour ¾ cup hot water into the noodles. Then, I put the shrimp or prawns and garlic on the noodles. Then, I steam them for 5-10 minutes.
What can I do if I don't have a steamer?
You don't need a steamer to make this dish. Place the dish over a wire rack in a large pot with boiling water and cover it with a lid to create a steaming effect.
Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, but the best way to enjoy it is fresh. You can prepare the garlic, soak the noodles, and prepare the shrimp in advance. Then, assemble and steam it just before serving.
What are the ingredients for steamed garlic shrimp vermicelli:
This steamed garlic shrimp vermicelli recipe includes shrimp, garlic, vermicelli noodles, water, soy sauce, vegetable oil, salt, and green onion.
Substitution:
Can I use different types of noodles instead of vermicelli?
Vermicelli (glass noodles) are best for this dish because they absorb the flavorful sauce. However, you can also try other noodles, like Korean glass noodles. Remember to soak the noodles and boil them briefly before using them. You can see details in this Japache recipe.
Can I use other seafood instead of shrimp?
Yes! You can substitute other seafood, such as scallops, lobster, or fish fillets.
Can I add other ingredients to the dish?
Of course! Add finely chopped scallions, cilantro, red chili flakes, or a drizzle of sesame oil for an extra aroma.
Storage:
How should I store the leftovers?
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. For the best taste and texture, consume them as soon as possible.
Cooking tips for how to make steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli noodles:
- Soak vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15-30 minutes.
- Use a scissor to cut the shrimp or prawn on the back. Then, use a toothpick to remove the gut. After, use a knife to cut deeper so it can stand up when put on the plate.
- Stir fry minced garlic until golden brown.
- Put ¾ cup hot water into vermicelli noodles when it is about to steam them.
- Wait for water to boil and steam for 5-10 minutes, depending on the material of the container.
FAQs:
It's a good idea to rinse shrimp before steaming to ensure they are clean and fresh. Place the shrimp in a colander and rinse them under cold running water to remove dirt, grit, or residue.
Yes, you can use already-cooked shrimp, but you must be careful not to overcook them, as this can make them rubbery. The taste will not be the same as using uncooked shrimp.
Most people do not stir fry garlic and steam it directly. But I find that either the garlic must be minced very fine or steamed a little longer to eat it without a spicy taste. Also, stir-fried garlic has a great aroma, flavor, and fragrance. Therefore, I like to stir-fry garlic in this steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli noodles recipe.
Instructions for how to make restaurant-style steamed shrimp garlic with vermicelli:
Preparation:
1. First, pour 6 cups of warm water into the bowl and soak 2 pieces of vermicelli noodles for 15 - 30 minutes.
2. Peel and mince 10 cloves of garlic.
3. Cut a stick of green onion (1 oz).
4. Use a scissor to cut the shrimp on the back.
5. Then, use a toothpick to remove the gut.
6. After that, use a knife to cut the back. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for 14 pieces of shrimp or prawns. (This step prevents the shrimp from curling like a C so they can stand against each other on the plate. You can skip this step if you don't care about the dish's presentation. )
Cooking:
7. Pour 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a pan. Add minced garlic. Stir fry until golden brown; add ¼ teaspoon of salt and mix well.
8. Put the fried garlic in a container and set them aside.
9. Next, lay the soaked vermicelli noodles on the plate and pour ¾ cup of hot water into the noodles.
10. The following lay 14 pieces of cleaned shrimp or prawns on the vermicelli noodles.
11. After, put the fried garlic on the shrimp and steam them for 5-10 minutes when the water boils. (The steaming time may vary depending on your container material.)
12. When the shrimp or prawns are done, add chopped green onion and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over it.
Enjoy this simple and delicious homemade restaurant-style steam shrimp with garlic recipe! Also, check out this authentic tofu pudding, bamboo shoots, stir-fried water spinach, tomato fish, pan-fried buns, and taro bun recipe.
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Steam Shrimp with Garlic
Equipment
- 1 Pot/ steamer
- 1 Pan
- 1 Steaming rack
Video
Ingredients
- 14 pieces Shrimp or Prawn
- 10 cloves Garlic
- 2 pieces Vermicelli noodles (Glass noodles)
- 1 stick Green onion (1 oz)
- 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- ¾ cup Hot water
Soaking Noodles:
- 6 cups Warm water
Instructions
- First, pour 6 cups of warm water into the bowl and soak 2 pieces of vermicelli noodles for 15 - 30 minutes.
- Peel and mince 10 cloves of garlic.
- Cut a stick of green onion (1 oz).
- Use a scissor to cut the shrimp on the back.
- Then, use a toothpick to remove the gut.
- After that, use a knife to cut the back. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for 14 pieces of shrimp or prawns. (This step prevents the shrimp from curling like a C so they can stand against each other on the plate. You can skip this step if you don't care about the dish's presentation. )
- Pour 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a pan. Add minced garlic. Stir fry until golden brown; add ¼ teaspoon of salt and mix well.
- Put the fried garlic in a container and set them aside.
- Next, lay the soaked vermicelli noodles on the plate and pour ¾ cup of hot water into the noodles.
- The following lay 14 pieces of cleaned shrimp or prawns on the vermicelli noodles.
- After, put the fried garlic on the shrimp and steam them for 5-10 minutes when the water boils. (The steaming time may vary depending on your container material.)
- When the shrimp or prawns are done, add chopped green onion and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over it.
Notes
Cooking tips for how to make steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli noodles:
- Soak vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15-30 minutes.
- Use a scissor to cut the shrimp or prawn on the back. Then, use a toothpick to remove the gut. After, use a knife to cut deeper so it can stand up when put on the plate.
- Stir fry minced garlic until golden brown.
- Put ¾ cup hot water into vermicelli noodles when it is about to steam them.
- Wait for water to boil and steam for 5-10 minutes, depending on the material of the container.
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