Chinese Hunan Shrimp is a spicy and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a zesty sauce with veggies. It’s a perfect mix of heat and taste that’ll make your mouth water!
When I make this dish, the aroma fills the kitchen and my family gathers around, excited to eat. It’s like a party on a plate! Who knew shrimp could be this much fun? 😄
You can serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal that’s quick and easy. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your regular rotation! 🥢
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Shrimp: Fresh large shrimp are the star here. If they aren’t available, you can use frozen shrimp; just make sure to thaw them properly. For a different flair, try using chicken or tofu if you’re avoiding seafood.
Vegetable Oil: I prefer using vegetable oil for its high smoke point, but you could substitute it with canola oil, peanut oil, or even sesame oil for a slight nutty flavor. Just be careful with sesame oil, as it has a strong taste!
Dried Red Chilies: These add wonderful heat. If you can’t find them, try red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper. Adjust based on your heat tolerance; start small!
Chili Garlic Sauce: This adds depth and spice. If you don’t have it, mix minced garlic with hot sauce or sriracha as a substitute. You’ll still get a great kick!
Chicken Broth: If you want to keep this dish vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead. This will keep all the flavors rich while catering to different diets.
How Do I Properly Cook the Shrimp?
Cooking shrimp perfectly is key to this dish. Here’s how to achieve that lovely, tender texture:
- First, make sure your shrimp are peeled, deveined, and dry. Pat them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Heat your wok or skillet well before adding oil. This helps sear the shrimp quickly, keeping them juicy.
- Cook the shrimp for about two minutes on each side. Watch for that stunning pink color! Avoid overcooking as they can become rubbery.
- Once cooked, remove them immediately to avoid further cooking. They’ll stay warm as you finish the sauce.
This process will give you shrimp that are perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and ready to shine in the sauce!
How to Make Chinese Hunan Shrimp
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Main Dish:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off as preferred)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2-3 dried red chilies, chopped (adjust for heat preference)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (optional for color and texture)
- 3 scallions (green onions), sliced thin, keep some for garnish
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce or chili paste (Hunan-style chili paste if available)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
For Serving:
- Cooked white rice
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This dish takes about 15 minutes of prep time and around 10 minutes of cooking time, so you can have a delicious meal ready in just about 25 minutes. Quick and full of flavor!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Shrimp:
Start by patting the shrimp dry with a paper towel. This will help them cook evenly. Set them aside while you prep other ingredients.
2. Mix the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sugar, and chicken broth (or water). Stir well and set this sauce mix aside for later.
3. Heat the Oil and Add the Chilies:
In a wok or large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped dried chilies and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them!
4. Cook the Aromatics:
Add the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped onions to the wok. Stir-fry these together for 1-2 minutes until the onions begin to soften and the mixture is aromatic.
5. Cook the Shrimp:
Now, add the shrimp to the wok. Cook them for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Once cooked, remove the shrimp and set them aside to keep warm.
6. Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same wok, add the optional bell peppers and the white parts of the sliced scallions. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, letting them soften slightly.
7. Add the Sauce:
Pour the sauce mixture into the wok and bring it to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry again and then add it to the sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1 minute.
8. Combine Everything:
Return the cooked shrimp back to the pan. Toss everything together to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce. Cook for another minute to heat everything through.
9. Finish with Scallions:
Remove the wok from heat and stir in most of the green parts of the scallions. Save a few for garnishing later.
10. Serve:
Serve your delicious Hunan shrimp over a bed of steamed white rice. Garnish with the leftover scallions and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like. Dig in and enjoy!
This recipe showcases the bold flavors of Hunan cuisine, creating a wonderful dish that is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly satisfying.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp! Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. The best way to do this is by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or placing them in a sealed bag under cold running water for about 30 minutes. Pat them dry before cooking!
Can I Make This Meal Spicier?
Absolutely! If you love heat, you can add more dried red chilies or increase the amount of chili garlic sauce in the recipe. You could also include a splash of sriracha or some crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You may want to add a splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce!
What Can I Serve with This Dish?
This dish is best served over cooked white rice, which soaks up all the delicious sauce. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables, fried rice, or noodles for a complete meal.
