Delicious & Lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp: Your Go-To Takeout Fakeout Recipe

Experience a lighter, healthier twist on the beloved traditional honey walnut shrimp! We’re pan-frying succulent shrimp until perfectly crispy, then tossing it with homemade candied walnuts and a delightful, quick-to-make sauce. This recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Today’s culinary adventure is proudly sponsored by California Walnuts! We’re transforming their exquisite walnuts into a crave-worthy candied topping for our lighter rendition of a cherished takeout classic: honey walnut shrimp.

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Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of flavor! There’s nothing quite like perfectly cooked shrimp, coated in a delicate crisp, kissed with honey, and infused with a hint of garlic. When these beauties are tossed in a creamy, sweet yet tangy sauce, alongside irresistible candied walnuts, you’ll understand why this dish is an absolute sensation. Yes, I said CANDIED WALNUTS – a simple step that elevates this entire meal to gourmet status.

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about your next meal, even before you’ve finished the current one? Or perhaps meticulously planning your restaurant order, researching menus and reviews long before stepping foot inside? I confess, I’m that person. I’ll scour Yelp, compare options, and even make sure my dining companion (usually my wonderful husband) picks something entirely different, just so we can sample more deliciousness. This obsession with good food is exactly what led me to recreate one of my absolute favorite takeout dishes at home, but with a twist – a lighter, healthier, and equally delicious twist!

The traditional honey walnut shrimp, while undeniably delicious, often comes deep-fried and in portions that leave you wanting more, especially for the price. This recipe changes all of that. I’m here to promise you won’t need to spend ridiculous double-digit numbers for a tiny serving of walnut shrimp ever again. We’re going to make it easily, affordably, and most importantly, much lighter than its restaurant counterpart, right in your own kitchen.

Imagine this: perfectly crispy shrimp, crunchy candied walnuts, and a vibrant, tangy sauce, all tossed together and served over a warm bed of rice. For me, that’s pure happiness on a plate – truly my love language. While the classic takeout version might stick to just shrimp and walnuts, our lighter take incorporates fresh greens, adding a wonderful textural contrast and an extra boost of nutrition. Of course, if you prefer to keep it strictly traditional, feel free to omit the cabbage or greens; I won’t judge your delicious choices!

Let’s dive into the delicious details of this honey walnut shrimp recipe. We start with a generous pound and a half of large or jumbo shrimp. Trust me on this quantity. You’ll think it looks like a lot at first, but once you bite into those hot, fresh, and subtly garlicky morsels, you’ll find yourself reaching for one after another. Before you know it, half your dinner will have vanished! This happened to me, and it will likely happen to you. Consider yourself warned!

Mastering the Three Key Components: Walnuts, Shrimp, and Sauce

This recipe is elegantly divided into three manageable parts, ensuring each element is perfected before coming together in a symphony of flavors: the candied walnuts, the crispy pan-fried shrimp, and the creamy, tangy sauce.

1. The Candied Walnuts: Sweet Crunch in Minutes

First, let’s talk about those glorious walnuts. Candying them might sound like a daunting task, but I assure you, it’s incredibly simple and quick! You’ll start by dissolving a bit of sugar in water in a small saucepan to create a light syrup. A tiny pinch of salt enhances the flavor beautifully. Add your California Walnuts, stir to coat them thoroughly, then immediately turn them out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread them out quickly, as they will set fast as they cool. The result? Perfectly crunchy, sweet, and slightly salty candied walnuts that add an irresistible texture and flavor to the dish, making every bite memorable. They’re also fantastic for snacking or topping salads!

2. The Crispy Pan-Fried Shrimp: No Deep Frying Needed

Next up, our star ingredient: the shrimp. We’re achieving that coveted crispiness without the mess and oil of deep frying. The secret? A light dusting of cornstarch, garlic powder, and salt. Forget about dirtying another plate; simply combine these dry ingredients in a large zip-top bag. Add your shrimp, seal the bag, and shake until each piece is evenly coated. Then, pan-fry them in a hint of oil in batches. Cooking in batches is crucial; overcrowding the pan lowers the temperature and leads to steaming, resulting in mushy shrimp – and that’s a definite “no bueno”! Cook them for just 2-3 minutes per side, flipping as needed, until they curl into a perfect ‘C’ shape and turn a beautiful pink-orange. This technique guarantees perfectly crispy, tender, and flavorful shrimp every time.

3. The Creamy Honey Walnut Sauce: The Perfect Finishing Touch

Finally, the sauce – the luxurious element that brings everything together. This couldn’t be simpler! In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. That’s it! The mayonnaise provides a rich creaminess, the honey adds natural sweetness, condensed milk offers a unique depth and sweetness, and the lemon juice cuts through the richness with a bright, tangy finish. Just before serving, gently toss your crispy shrimp and candied walnuts into this incredible sauce. In minutes, you’ve got restaurant-quality honey walnut shrimp ready for dinner, without ever having to call for takeout!

For those who love to add a little extra freshness and texture, I’ve got you covered. I adore layering flavors in this dish. Start with a bed of warm rice, then pile on some crisp greens. You know those convenient cabbage salad mixes from Costco or your local grocery store? The ones with the “build-your-own Asian salad” starter packs? Those are perfect here! Just add a handful to your rice, top with the glorious honey walnut shrimp, and for an extra kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a fresh squeeze of lime juice. This creates a wonderfully balanced meal, bursting with flavor and texture – truly next-level stuff!

Whether you prefer the classic approach – just the irresistible honey walnut shrimp on a bed of rice – or opt for the more vibrant, colorful, and “greener” way, the choice is entirely yours, my friend. This recipe is incredibly versatile and easily adaptable to personal preferences. If you have little ones at the table, they’ll surely appreciate the delicious shrimp and walnuts, and you might even sneak in some greens without them noticing! This dish is destined to be a crowd-pleaser, delivering the magic of a takeout favorite with a homemade, lighter touch. It’s the perfect guilt-free weekend dinner option.

I am absolutely confident that this lighter honey walnut shrimp recipe will become a cherished staple in your home, bringing smiles and satisfied cravings with every bite!

Yield: 4-6 servings

Lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

A lighter take on the traditional honey walnut shrimp! We’re pan frying the shrimp until crispy and then tossing it with candied walnuts and a quick sauce!

Ingredients

For the Candied Walnuts:

• ½ cup whole California Walnuts
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• Pinch of salt

For the Crispy Shrimp:

• 1 ½ pounds large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons oil (such as vegetable or canola)

For the Creamy Honey Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

To Serve (Optional):

• Cooked rice (white or brown)
• Chopped cabbage mix (e.g., Asian salad mix)
• Red pepper flakes (for a touch of heat)
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chopped scallions
• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the Candied Walnuts: Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Allow the sugar to dissolve, stirring gently just once to ensure it’s fully incorporated. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt, then add the California walnuts. Stir quickly to coat all the walnuts evenly with the syrup. Immediately turn the coated walnuts out onto the prepared baking sheet. Working swiftly, spread them out into a single layer before the syrup hardens. Allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, break up any walnuts that may be stuck together.
2. Cook the Crispy Shrimp: In a large zip-top bag, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Seal the bag and shake to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Add the shrimp into the bag, seal again, and shake until all the shrimp are evenly coated with the cornstarch mixture. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to the pan. Once hot, add half of the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping as needed, or until they curl up into a ‘c’ shape and are golden brown and crispy. Remove the cooked shrimp to a clean plate. Repeat this process with the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of oil and the second batch of shrimp.
3. Make the Creamy Honey Sauce: While the shrimp are cooking or cooling, add the mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh lemon juice to a large mixing bowl. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth.
4. Assemble and Serve: Just before serving, add the cooked shrimp and candied walnuts to the bowl with the creamy honey sauce. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. To assemble your meal, place a bed of cooked rice in a serving bowl. If desired, add a portion of chopped cabbage mix on top of the rice. Spoon the prepared honey walnut shrimp mixture over the rice and greens. Finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat, and serve with fresh lime wedges on the side to brighten the flavors and cut through the sweetness, if preferred. This dish is also fantastic served on a larger bed of cabbage or mixed greens, as a hearty salad!

Notes

Thank you to our wonderful friends over at California Walnuts for sponsoring this post! We genuinely appreciate partnering with companies that champion wholesome, high-quality ingredients that elevate our recipes.

Have you made this recipe?

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