The Creamiest Cashew Shrimp Recipe to Make Tonight

Cashew shrimp bring a tantalizing fusion of textures and flavors that dance across your palate with unexpected grace.

These succulent seafood morsels revolutionize ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Crisp, golden-brown shellfish nestled among crunchy nuts create a symphony of contrasting sensations that ignite taste buds.

The delicate proteins absorb rich marinades, promising depth and complexity in every single bite.

Nutty undertones complement the natural sweetness of perfectly cooked shellfish, elevating this dish beyond simple weeknight fare.

Balanced seasonings and careful technique ensure each ingredient shines with vibrant intensity.

Warm aromas will draw family and friends closer, anticipating a memorable dining moment.

What Makes Cashew Shrimp Such a Weeknight Star

• Savor Quick Flavor Fusion: This recipe blends sweet, tangy, and savory notes with a simple stir-fry method that transforms ordinary shrimp into an extraordinary meal in just 15 minutes.
• Enjoy Textural Delight: Crispy roasted cashews provide a satisfying crunch against the tender, succulent shrimp, creating a delightful contrast that keeps every bite interesting.
• Master Easy Gourmet Cooking: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, home cooks can easily create a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes impressive without requiring advanced culinary skills.

Everything You Need for Cashew Shrimp Stir-Fry

• Hoisin Sauce: Rich, sweet and tangy sauce that provides deep flavor complexity to the dish.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that balances the savory elements of the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and saltiness, enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Rice Vinegar: Bright and tangy liquid that brings a subtle acidic note to the sauce.
• Ginger: Fresh, zesty root that provides warm and spicy undertones.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the sauce.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein that cooks quickly and absorbs sauce flavors well. Fresh or frozen shrimp work great.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance shrimp's natural taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complements the shrimp's delicate flavor.

• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking oil with a mild flavor for sautéing shrimp.
• Cashews: Crunchy, buttery nuts that provide textural contrast and rich nutty taste. Roasted cashews recommended for deeper flavor.

How to Cook Cashew Shrimp in Just a Few Steps

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Packed Sauce

• In a small bowl, blend these ingredients
• Hoisin sauce
• Maple syrup
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Minced ginger
• Crushed garlic

Stir the mixture thoroughly and set aside for later use.

Step 2: Sizzle the Succulent Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the shrimp, then carefully place them into the hot pan. Stir-fry the shrimp for 7 minutes until they transform into a beautiful pink color and are completely cooked. Transfer the shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create a Rich Sauce Reduction

Pour the prepared sauce into the same skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer and bubble, stirring consistently. Let it thicken for 2 minutes, moving the spatula around to prevent any burning.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss in the roasted cashews. Gently mix everything so the shrimp and cashews are completely coated with the glossy sauce. Remove from heat once all ingredients are warmed and beautifully combined.

Serve hot and enjoy your delectable Cashew Shrimp Delight!

Helpful Tips for Perfect Cashew Shrimp

• Maximize Shrimp Flavor: Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and prevent watery cooking.
• Perfect Sauce Consistency: Stir sauce constantly while thickening to avoid burning and achieve smooth, glossy texture.
• Roast Cashews Briefly: Lightly toast cashews in a dry pan beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and crunchiness.
• Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat to quickly cook shrimp without overcooking, keeping them tender and juicy.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles to capture the dish's optimal temperature and sauce coverage.

How to Keep Cashew Shrimp Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate the Cashew Shrimp Delight in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store the dish in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the shrimp and sauce separate if possible to maintain texture. When reheating, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or additional sauce to prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving to keep the shrimp tender and prevent rubbery texture. Consume reheated leftovers immediately for the best flavor and quality.

Great Sides to Go with Cashew Shrimp

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the shrimp's delicate flavor with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the richness of the sauce and complementing the nutty cashew notes.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Bed: Create a perfect base for the saucy shrimp by spreading fluffy jasmine rice underneath, allowing the sauce to soak into the grains and add extra depth to each bite.
• Match with Cucumber Salad: Balance the dish's sweetness and warmth with a cool, tangy cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and fresh herbs, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich shrimp.
• Accompany with Cold Lager: Clean the palate with a crisp, light beer like a Japanese Sapporo or a Thai Singha, which will cool down the ginger and garlic's heat while highlighting the dish's Asian-inspired flavors.

Unique Ways to Switch Up Cashew Shrimp

• Spicy Cashew Shrimp Kick: Add red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the existing sauce mixture for a fiery flavor profile that enhances the overall taste.
• Tropical Coconut Cashew Shrimp: Replace maple syrup with coconut milk and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the final dish for a creamy, island-inspired version.
• Lemon Herb Cashew Shrimp: Incorporate fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley into the sauce, and use fresh herb-infused olive oil when cooking shrimp to create a bright, zesty alternative.
• Mediterranean Cashew Shrimp: Swap hoisin sauce with tzatziki, add oregano and crumbled feta cheese, and use Greek-style olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.

Cashew Shrimp Delight Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cashew Shrimp Delight brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to your dinner table with succulent shrimp and crunchy cashews. Zesty garlic, ginger, and soy sauce blend perfectly, creating a quick and satisfying meal that promises restaurant-quality taste in mere minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp

Nuts:

• 1 cup (150 grams) cashew nuts, roasted

Sauce and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh ginger, minced

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Instructions

1. Craft a harmonious blend of flavor-rich sauce by combining hoisin sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, freshly minced ginger, and crushed garlic in a small mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
2. Warm of olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
3. Generously season raw shrimp with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning across each piece.
4. Gently introduce seasoned shrimp into the heated skillet, executing a dynamic stir-fry technique for approximately 6-7 minutes until the seafood transforms into a vibrant pink hue and achieves complete culinary doneness.
5. Carefully transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, preserving their optimal temperature and texture.
6. Pour the pre-prepared sauce mixture into the identical skillet, allowing it to simmer and gradually thicken for 1-2 minutes while stirring consistently to prevent potential scorching.
7. Reintroduce the perfectly cooked shrimp and roasted cashews into the glossy sauce, delicately tossing to ensure comprehensive coating and uniform heat distribution.
8. Remove the skillet from heat, presenting a luxurious, glossy cashew shrimp dish ready for immediate serving.

Notes

• Quickly marinate shrimp with salt and pepper before cooking to enhance natural flavors and ensure even seasoning.
• Stir-fry shrimp precisely 7 minutes to achieve perfect pink color without overcooking, maintaining tender and juicy texture.
• Use same skillet for sauce and shrimp to capture delicious caramelized bits, adding extra depth to the overall dish.
• Roast cashews beforehand to intensify their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunchy contrast against tender shrimp.
• Control sauce thickness by continuous stirring and watching for bubbling, preventing burning and ensuring smooth consistency.
• Serve immediately after combining ingredients to enjoy optimal temperature and prevent shrimp from becoming rubbery.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 385
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg