Panda Express is well-known for its Asian-inspired cuisine. Each menu item is packed with flavor, and the sauces hit the spot every time. With so much diversity in their menu items, I can always find something different to try, and as a bonus, there is no MSG in any of their dishes. One of my favorite menu items is the Honey Walnut Shrimp because of its mix of sweet and savory flavors with the crispy tempura batter. With the recipe we’re sharing below, this delicious shrimp dish can be made from home at a fraction of the cost and with just a few ingredients.
The roasted walnuts add a sweet, nutty flavor to the shrimp, complementing the dish well, and the green scallions give it a fresh spicy onion taste that tops it off perfectly. You could purchase fresh shrimp from your local grocery store or purchase a large bag of frozen shrimp. I like to thaw a portion at a time and keep the rest in the freezer for future meals.
The recipe includes instructions on preparing the shrimp and the sauce, but you could also prepare white or brown rice and serve the shrimp on top for the perfect savory lunch.
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- 4 egg whites
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
- scallions for topping, optional
Instructions
For the Chicken
- First, place the water, sugar, and walnuts to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for about 2 minutes. Then remove the walnuts and place them on a dish to dry.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until they are foamy. Then add cornstarch and continue whisking until combined. Add the shrimp to the batter and coat each piece with a thin layer of batter.
- Heat the vegetable oil to medium-high heat in a skillet or deep pan. Fry the shrimp in batches until they are golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.
For the Sauce
- To make the sauce, add the honey, mayonnaise, and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl and whisk to combine.
To Serve
- Add the fried shrimp to the sauce and coat generously. Place the shrimp into a serving bowl, and top with candied walnuts. You can also add chopped scallions as garnish.
Notes
- To make this a more filling meal, you could prepare steamed rice, and serve the honey walnut shrimp over a bowl of rice.
- To make extra sauce to drizzle over the shrimp and rice, I like to double the sauce recipe. You can store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for a few days.
Another excellent dish that pairs well with the Honey Walnut Shrimp is Chow Mein. Check out our copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe for instructions, and let us know how you like it.
