If you’re ready to spice up your weeknight dinners, look no further than this delightful Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp. This dish is a sublime blend of sweet and savory flavors, with a touch of warmth from turmeric and a kick of black pepper that creates an irresistible dining experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of honey, turmeric, and black pepper delivers a robust flavor profile that tantalizes your taste buds.
- Quick and Easy: With just 25 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights without compromising on taste.
- Versatile Dish: This shrimp pairs well with various sides, making it adaptable to whatever you have in your pantry.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Packed with protein and fibers, it’s a wholesome meal that leaves you feeling full and happy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp lies in its simplicity and the way each ingredient elevates the other. With a handful of kitchen staples, you can transform everyday shrimp into a restaurant-quality meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shrimp: Opt for peeled and deveined shrimp to save time on prep. They soak up the flavors beautifully.
- Cornstarch: This creates a light, crispy coating on the shrimp, adding a lovely texture.
- Turmeric: Imparts a vibrant color and a warm, earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper: Offers a bold kick that complements the sweetness of the honey.
- Honey: Balances the spices with its natural sweetness, creating a delicious glaze.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a dash of acidity that brightens up the dish.
- Cooking Oil: Use a neutral oil like grapeseed or canola to let the spices shine.
- Haricots Verts: These French green beans add a crisp tender texture and a fresh, green taste.
Variations
Feeling creative? This Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp is a fantastic base for experimenting! Here are some easy variations to satisfy different tastes or dietary needs.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red chili flakes for those who crave an extra bit of heat.
- Vegetarian Twist: Substitute shrimp with tofu or tempeh to make a vegetarian version that’s equally delicious.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep this dish gluten-free.
How to Make Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp
Step 1: Prep Your Shrimp
Begin by ensuring your shrimp are properly prepped—tails removed and thoroughly patted dry. Then, in a large bowl, mix together cornstarch, turmeric, black pepper, and salt. Toss the shrimp in this mixture until they are evenly coated, ready for their golden transformation.
Step 2: Create the Honey Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a splash of water. This will be your sweet and savory glaze, ready to elevate the shrimp with a delectable sheen and flavor.
Step 3: Cook Everything Together
Heat your chosen oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for a couple of minutes until they achieve a crispy underside, then add the green beans. Finish by pouring in the honey glaze, cooking until it thickens and coats the shrimp and beans in luscious goodness.
Pro Tips for Making Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp
- Perfect Shrimp Crunch: Ensure shrimp are completely dry before coating them in cornstarch. This will help achieve a crispy outer shell.
- Sauce Thickening Magic: To make the sauce thicken beautifully, let it bubble slightly before pulling it off the heat.
- Veggie Boost: You can toss in extra veggies like bell peppers or snap peas for added color and nutrition.
- Clarify Your Glaze: For a shinier finish, you might want to skim off any foam that appears on the glaze as it cooks.
How to Serve Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, scatter some finely sliced scallions atop your dish. Their subtle oniony crunch complements the shrimp beautifully, adding color and freshness to each serving.
Side Dishes
This shrimp pairs perfectly with a bowl of steaming white rice or even coconut rice for added richness. Alternatively, quinoa or cauliflower rice can serve as a great base for lighter alternatives.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the shrimp family-style in a large, shallow dish, allowing everyone to help themselves. Alternatively, you can plate them individually, with the shrimp elegantly arranged over a mound of rice, drizzled with the luscious sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, preserving their delectable taste and texture.
Freezing
If you wish to freeze this dish, place the shrimp and beans in a freezer-safe container. It’s good for up to three months. However, be mindful that the shrimp texture may slightly change upon thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over medium heat or microwave them in 30-second bursts, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating without overcooking.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp work perfectly! Just make sure they are completely thawed and patted dry before you start cooking to ensure a crispy texture.
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What type of honey works best?
Any light, mild honey will work well in this recipe. Avoid strong-flavored honeys like buckwheat, as they might overpower the other flavors.
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Can I make this dish spicier?
Definitely! Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the glaze for an extra spicy kick.
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Is there an alternative to cornstarch?
If you’re avoiding cornstarch, try using arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a substitute to achieve similar crispness.
Final Thoughts
With its unique blend of flavors and textures, this Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp will quickly become a beloved go-to in your culinary repertoire. Whether you’re impressing guests or simply treating yourself, this easy-to-make dish promises to bring joy and satisfaction to your table. I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy every delectable bite!
Print
Quick & Easy Black Pepper Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stir-fry
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Description
Enjoy a quick and flavorful Honey Turmeric-Black Pepper Shrimp stir-fry, perfectly cooked with crispy shrimp coated in turmeric and black pepper, glazed with a honey sauce, and served with crisp green beans over rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Protein and Coating
- 1 lb. peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tsp. soy sauce or tamari
- 1 Tbsp. water
Vegetables and Oil
- 2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed or canola)
- 8 oz. haricots verts (French green beans), sliced at a diagonal into thirds
Serving and Garnish
- Cooked white rice for serving
- Thinly sliced scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Remove and discard the shrimp tails, then pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Coat the Shrimp: In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, turmeric, black pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt; mix well. Add the shrimp and toss to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of water until combined. Set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp and Green Beans: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated shrimp in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are crispy. Toss the shrimp to turn them and add the sliced green beans. Season with the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and cook for 2 minutes until the beans are crisp-tender and the shrimp are cooked through.
- Glaze with Honey Mixture: Pour in the honey sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp and green beans nicely.
- Serve: Serve the honey turmeric-black pepper shrimp and green beans over cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced scallions and extra black pepper if desired.
Notes
- This recipe is quick to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Nutrition facts do not include rice, which can add additional calories and carbs.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat leftovers, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
- Frozen leftovers can last up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 207 kcal
- Sugar: 10.5 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
