How To Make Shrimp Walnut

To make shrimp walnut, you simply toss crispy fried shrimp and toasted walnuts in a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy sauce that brings everything together.
 
This dish is a classic in many Chinese-American restaurants, and it’s surprisingly easy to recreate right in your own kitchen.
 
The combination of plump, juicy shrimp and crunchy, earthy walnuts is absolutely irresistible.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make shrimp walnut at home, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make shrimp walnut, including the best ingredients, a step-by-step cooking process, and a few tips to get that restaurant-quality texture and flavor.
 
So, let’s dive into how to make shrimp walnut so you can enjoy this amazing dish anytime.
 

How to Make Shrimp Walnut: The Key Steps

Learning how to make shrimp walnut is all about balancing textures and flavors.
 
The shrimp need to be crispy, the walnuts need to be crunchy, and the sauce needs to be creamy with just the right amount of sweetness.
 
Here’s how to make shrimp walnut perfectly every single time.
 

1. Prepare the Shrimp and Walnuts

To start making shrimp walnut, you’ll need about a pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
 
Pat them completely dry with paper towels because dry shrimp will coat better and fry up crispier.
 
For the walnuts, you’ll want about a cup of walnut halves.
 
If you want to make shrimp walnut with an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes until they smell nutty.
 
This step is optional but highly recommended when you make shrimp walnut at home.
 

2. Coat and Fry the Shrimp

The secret to crispy shrimp walnut is a good coating.
 
In one bowl, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water.
 
In another bowl, mix together cornstarch, a little flour, salt, and white pepper.
 
Dip each shrimp into the egg, then press it into the cornstarch mixture.
 
Heat about two inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
 
Fry the shrimp in batches for about two minutes per side until golden and crispy.
 
Drain them on a wire rack or paper towels.
 
This crispy coating is what makes shrimp walnut so satisfying.
 

3. Whisk Together the Creamy Sauce

While the shrimp fry, whisk together the sauce that brings shrimp walnut to life.
 
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, honey, a splash of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
 
Some recipes for shrimp walnut also add a little bit of mustard or hot sauce for a subtle kick.
 
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking.
 
The sauce should be creamy, rich, and just a little bit sweet.
 

4. Toss Everything Together

Once the shrimp are fried and the walnuts are toasted, it’s time to bring shrimp walnut together.
 
In a large bowl, add the crispy shrimp and toasted walnuts.
 
Pour the creamy sauce over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
 
Be careful not to toss too roughly, or you’ll knock the crispy coating off the shrimp.
 
Serve your shrimp walnut immediately while the shrimp are still warm and crunchy.
 

Tips for the Best Shrimp Walnut

If you want to make shrimp walnut that tastes just like your favorite restaurant version, keep these tips in mind.
 

1. Don’t Skip the Toasting Step

Toasting the walnuts before you make shrimp walnut is a small step that makes a big difference.
 
It removes the raw bitterness and brings out a deeper, richer nutty flavor.
 
You can toast them in the oven at 350°F for about five to seven minutes, or in a dry skillet on the stovetop.
 
Just keep an eye on them because walnuts can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly.
 

2. Keep the Shrimp Crispy

The best shrimp walnut has a crunchy coating that doesn’t get soggy.
 
To keep your shrimp crispy, make sure your oil is hot enough before frying.
 
If the oil is too cold, the coating will absorb oil and turn greasy instead of crispy.
 
Also, don’t toss the shrimp with the sauce until you’re ready to serve.
 
If you’re making shrimp walnut ahead of time, keep the fried shrimp, walnuts, and sauce separate and combine them at the last minute.
 

3. Use Good Quality Shrimp

Since shrimp are the star of shrimp walnut, quality matters.
 
Look for large, fresh shrimp if possible, or high-quality frozen shrimp that have been properly thawed.
 
Avoid tiny shrimp because they’ll overcook quickly and won’t have the same satisfying bite.
 
And always devein your shrimp for the best texture and taste in your shrimp walnut.
 

4. Balance the Sauce

The sauce is what makes shrimp walnut so addictive, so take a moment to balance it.
 
If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of water or milk.
 
If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice.
 
If it needs more richness, add a touch more mayonnaise.
 
The goal is a sauce that clings to the shrimp and walnuts without being overly heavy.
 

Variations of Shrimp Walnut

Once you know how to make shrimp walnut, you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your taste.
 

1. Spicy Shrimp Walnut

If you like a little heat, add a teaspoon of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the creamy dressing.
 
This gives your shrimp walnut a gentle kick that balances the sweetness beautifully.
 

2. Baked Shrimp Walnut

For a lighter version, you can bake the coated shrimp instead of frying them.
 
Arrange them on a greased baking sheet, spray with a little oil, and bake at 400°F for about ten minutes, flipping halfway.
 
The result is a slightly less crispy but still delicious shrimp walnut.
 

3. Extra Crunch Shrimp Walnut

Some people like to add chopped celery or water chestnuts to their shrimp walnut for extra crunch.
 
You can also sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top before serving for a lovely nutty finish.
 

So, How to Make Shrimp Walnut?

To make shrimp walnut, you coat and fry juicy shrimp until crispy, toast some walnuts, and toss both in a creamy, sweet sauce.
 
It’s a simple process that delivers a truly impressive dish.
 
The key is to keep the shrimp crispy, the walnuts crunchy, and the sauce perfectly balanced.
 
Now that you know how to make shrimp walnut, you can enjoy this restaurant favorite at home whenever the craving strikes.
 
Give this shrimp walnut recipe a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your dinner rotation.