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If you love Chinese cuisine, then you must have tasted General Tso’s chicken at least once. But have you ever tried General Tso’s shrimp? It is a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for seafood lovers. In this blog post, we will share an easy and delicious recipe for General Tso’s shrimp that you can prepare at home.
How To Make General Tso’s Shrimp
What makes General Tso’s Shrimp so irresistible is its combination of flavors and textures. The crispy exterior of the shrimp paired with the sticky and sweet sauce makes for a satisfying bite every time. This dish also offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with the umami-rich soy sauce and hoisin sauce complementing the sweetness of the brown sugar and rice vinegar. The addition of minced garlic and ginger adds a depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. With its delicious and addicting taste, General Tso’s Shrimp is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal or an impressive dinner party dish.
Ingredients Used In General Tso’s Shrimp
Here are the main ingredients used in this recipe:
Shrimp: The star of the dish! Use peeled and blanched shrimp for convenience and to save time.
Egg and flour mix: This mixture is used to coat the shrimp before frying. It helps to create a crispy and golden brown exterior.
Sauce: The sauce is a combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. It is the perfect balance of sweet and savory and is what gives the dish its signature flavor.
Garlic and ginger: These two ingredients add depth of flavor and a bit of heat to the dish.
Crushed Red Pepper: For some added heat, crushed red pepper can be added to the dish.
Sesame Seeds: These are used as a garnish and add a nutty flavor and texture to the dish.
Spring Onion: Chopped green onions are added to the dish at the end of cooking for a pop of freshness and color.
Ingredients
- Shrimp raw or blanched, 500 g
- Salt, ¾ teaspoon
- Crushed black pepper,½ teaspoon
- White pepper, 1 teaspoon
- 1 egg beaten
- Plain flour, ½ cup
- Cornflour (cornstarch), ½ cup
- Neutral oil for shallow-frying, ⅓ cup
STIR FRY
- Neutral oil, 2 tablespoon
- Garlic finely chopped, 1 tablespoon
- Ginger finely chopped, 1 tablespoon
- Crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon
SAUCE
- Hoisin sauce, 3 tablespoon
- Sriracha sauce, 2 tablespoon
- All-purpose soy sauce, 1 tablespoon
- Rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon
- Toasted sesame oil, 2 teaspoon
- Brown sugar, 2 tablespoon
- Water, ½ cup
- Cornflour (cornstarch), 1 tablespoon
- GARNISH
- 1 spring onion green part sliced
- Toasted white sesame seeds
Step By Step Instructions To Make General Tso’s Shrimp
Step 1
Put the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the shrimp, salt, black pepper, and white pepper. Mix well. Once the egg has been beaten, stir it in.
Step 3
Put the flour and cornstarch (cornflour) in a bowl or ziplock bag. To coat the shrimp well, add them to the bag and shake it well.
Step 4
Prepare a shallow-frying pan with heating oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan when dropping the shrimp. If you have a small pan, fry in batches.
Step 5
Using medium-high heat, cook on both sides until golden and crisp. Keep aside after removing from the oven.
Step 6
Use the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the same way. Melt the butter over medium heat and add the garlic and ginger. The crushed red pepper can be added at this point if you want more spice.
Step 7
The sauce will thicken and become glossy as it cools. Pour the sauce and reduce the heat to low. Be sure to stir continuously so that the sauce does not get clumpy.
Step 8
Once the shrimp are fried, turn off the heat and add them to the pan.
Step 9
On a serving plate, place the roasted sesame seeds and spring onions as garnish.
Step 10
On a bed of plain stir-fried noodles or over steamed rice, you can enjoy this dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I adjust the spice level of the dish?
You can adjust the spice level of the dish by adding or reducing the amount of crushed red pepper or Sriracha sauce used. You can also omit the spice altogether if you prefer a milder flavor.
Can I make General Tso’s Shrimp ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the shrimp ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a few days. To reheat, simply place them in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
Can I use chicken instead of shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute chicken for the shrimp in this recipe. Simply cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and follow the same instructions for coating and frying.
Nutrition Value
Here is the approximate nutrition information for General Tso’s Shrimp:
Servings: 1
Calories: 375kcal
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 36mg
Sodium: 1080mg
Total Carbohydrates: 40g
Dietary Fiber: 2.5g
Sugars: 10g
Protein:4g
It’s important to note that the nutritional values may vary based on the specific ingredients and preparation method used.
Conclusion
In conclusion, General Tso’s Shrimp is a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to please any seafood lover. It’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences by adding or reducing the amount of spice and vegetables used. With its combination of succulent shrimp, crispy coating, and sweet and savory sauce, it’s no wonder that this dish has become a favorite in Chinese-American cuisine. So why not try making General Tso’s Shrimp at home today and enjoy the taste of this classic dish in the comfort of your own kitchen?
Check Out More Delicious Recipes

General Tso’s Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g Shrimp raw or blanched
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Crushed black pepper
- 1 teaspoon White pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ cup Plain flour
- ½ cup Cornflour (cornstarch)
- ⅓ cup Neutral oil for shallow-frying
STIR FRY
- 2 tablespoon Neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon Garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Ginger finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper
SAUCE
- 3 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar
- ½ cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Cornflour (cornstarch)
- GARNISH
- 1 spring onion green part sliced
- Toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Put the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- In a bowl, combine the shrimp, salt, black pepper, and white pepper. Mix well. Once the egg has been beaten, stir it in.
- Put the flour and cornstarch (cornflour) in a bowl or ziplock bag. To coat the shrimp well, add them to the bag and shake it well.
- Prepare a shallow-frying pan with heating oil. Don't overcrowd the pan when dropping the shrimp. If you have a small pan, fry in batches.
- Using medium-high heat, cook on both sides until golden and crisp. Keep aside after removing from the oven.
- Use the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the same way. Melt the butter over medium heat and add the garlic and ginger. The crushed red pepper can be added at this point if you want more spice.
- The sauce will thicken and become glossy as it cools. Pour the sauce and reduce the heat to low. Be sure to stir continuously so that the sauce does not get clumpy.
- Once the shrimp are fried, turn off the heat and add them to the pan.
- On a serving plate, place the roasted sesame seeds and spring onions as garnish.
- On a bed of plain stir-fried noodles or over steamed rice, you can enjoy this dish.