Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp
Sweet, savory, and irresistibly bold, Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp is a vibrant dish that captures the essence of Southeast Asian flavors in just 25 minutes. Featuring succulent shrimp coated in a glossy, amber-hued caramel sauce made with fish sauce, garlic, and shallots, this recipe is a perfect balance of sweetness, umami, and subtle spice. The deep, caramelized flavor comes together effortlessly in a single skillet, while green onions add a touch of freshness to every bite. Served over fluffy jasmine rice, it's an easy yet flavorful meal that brings restaurant-quality Vietnamese cuisine straight to your kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this dish is a crowd-pleaser you won't want to miss.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp water
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice (for serving)
Directions
Step 1
Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails intact if desired. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
Step 2
In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
Step 3
Add the sugar to the skillet and stir continuously until it melts and turns a deep amber color, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Step 4
Immediately add the minced garlic and shallot to the caramel and stir quickly to combine, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5
Add the fish sauce and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine and dissolve the caramel into the liquid, forming a sauce.
Step 6
Add the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly in the caramel sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until they turn pink and are cooked through.
Step 7
Sprinkle black pepper over the shrimp and stir to mix. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 8
Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the shrimp with sliced green onions.
Step 9
Serve the caramel shrimp over steamed jasmine rice. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1617.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2210.3 |
| Total Fat 30.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 4.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g | |
| Cholesterol 857.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4290.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 341.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 28.9g | |
| Protein 142.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 689.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 523.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1930.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories