This Hawaiian Shrimp Truck brings the irresistible flavors of the islands straight to your kitchen! Juicy, large shrimp coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with just the right amount of spicy kick. It’s inspired by the famous shrimp trucks of Oahu, Hawaii, and is a must-try for seafood lovers!
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My first encounter with Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp was at the iconic Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Oahu, Hawaii.
From the first bite, I was hooked. It was garlicky, buttery, with a burst of heat that made me crave more.
Since then, I’ve been obsessed with recreating that perfect shrimp dish at home. Adding sambal oelek gives it that extra spicy kick! Trust me, once you make this Hawaiian shrimp at home, you’ll feel like you’re on the North Shore!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make – This shrimp dish comes together in under 30 minutes!
- Inspired by Hawaii – Brings the famous shrimp truck flavors to your table.
- Juicy and flavorful – Perfectly seasoned shrimp with a buttery, garlicky, spicy sauce.
- Versatile – Serve it over rice, with bread, or even as an appetizer.
- Minimal ingredients – Simple pantry staples with shrimp as the star!
Ingredients
- Large shrimps (head-on) – The star of the dish; keeping the heads on adds extra flavor.
- Butter – For the rich, buttery base of the sauce.
- Garlic – The more, the better! Garlic is the main flavor here.
- Sambal Oelek chili paste – Adds the spicy heat that makes this dish irresistible.
- Oyster sauce – Provides a savory, umami depth to the sauce.
- Soy sauce – Balances the flavors with a salty note.
- Ketchup – A touch of sweetness and tang to balance the savory and spicy.
- Sugar – Enhances the sauce’s sweetness and balances the heat.
- Pepper – Adds just a bit more spice to the overall flavor.
- Dipping Sauce: Lemon, Salt, Pepper
How to Make Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Clean the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp thoroughly, ensuring they are clean while keeping the heads intact.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, black pepper, and Sambal Oelek. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the cleaned shrimp to the pan. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked shrimp. Stir well to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce. Adjust the spice level by adding more Sambal Oelek if desired.
- Thicken the Sauce: Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the shrimp well.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp from the heat and serve immediately over a bed of cooked rice or with your preferred sides.
Variation
- Garlic Butter Shrimp – Skip the sambal oelek for a milder, all-garlic flavor.
- Pineapple Shrimp – Add fresh pineapple chunks to the sauce for a sweet, tropical twist.
- Lime and Cilantro Shrimp – Finish the dish with fresh lime juice and cilantro for a zesty, refreshing flavor.
- Coconut Shrimp – Substitute some of the butter with coconut milk for a creamy, coconut-flavored version.
- Hawaiian BBQ Shrimp – Use BBQ sauce instead of oyster sauce for a smoky, tangy flavor
What to Serve With This
- White Rice: This is the most common and arguably the best pairing. The fluffy white rice soaks up the delicious sauce from the shrimp, creating a perfect bite. Choose jasmine rice or basmati rice for a fragrant and flavorful experience.
- Hawaaian Macaroni Salad: This creamy and tangy side dish offers a refreshing contrast to the spicy shrimp. Look for a Hawaiian-style mac salad with pineapple chunks for an extra tropical touch.
- Garlic Noodles: This add a textural element and a slightly salty flavor that complements the shrimp.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers are excellent choices. The steaming or roasting process allows the natural sweetness of the vegetables to shine through, balancing the heat of the shrimp.
- Fried Plantains: Sweet and savory plantains offer a delicious textural contrast to the shrimp. Opt for ripe plantains for a sweeter flavor.
- Sweet Potato Wedge: Air fried and lightly seasoned, these bring a sweet and savory balance to your meal.
- Garlic Bread – Ideal for sopping up the rich sauce!
- Mixed Green Salad – A light, fresh salad with a citrus vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast.
- Grilled Pineapple – The sweet, smoky pineapple balances the heat of the shrimp.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan over low heat or in the microwave, making sure not to overcook the shrimp.
Rose's Top Tips
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! They only need about 3-5 minutes per side to stay juicy and tender.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor—pre-minced garlic won’t give you the same richness.
- Cooking with shrimp heads on adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- For extra heat, add more sambal oelek or even a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Recipe FAQs
Deveining shrimp is not strictly necessary, but many people prefer to do it for aesthetic and textural reasons. The "vein" is actually the shrimp's digestive tract, and while it's not harmful to eat, removing it can improve the overall appearance and texture of the shrimp dish. It's a matter of personal preference, and some recipes may recommend deveining for a cleaner presentation.
Yes! Many people enjoy eating the shrimp shell because it gets coated in the flavorful sauce.
To keep shrimp juicy, avoid overcooking them. They should turn pink and opaque, not rubbery.
Hawaiian shrimp trucks are famous for their garlic-butter shrimp, often served with rice and a side of lemon.
es, just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely before cooking for the best results.
More Shrimp/ Seafood Dish
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Hawaiian Shrimp Truck
Equipment
- 1 Pan or Wok
Ingredients
- 900 grams Large Shrimps head on
- ½ cup butter
- 1 head garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoon sambal oelek chili paste
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 5 tablespoon catsup
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Clean the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp thoroughly, ensuring they are clean while keeping the heads intact.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, black pepper, and Sambal Oelek. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the cleaned shrimp to the pan. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked shrimp. Stir well to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce. Adjust the spice level by adding more Sambal Oelek if desired.
- Thicken the Sauce: Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the shrimp well.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp from the heat and serve immediately over a bed of cooked rice or with your preferred sides.
Save This Recipe 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! They only need about 3-5 minutes per side to stay juicy and tender.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor—pre-minced garlic won’t give you the same richness.
- Cooking with shrimp heads on adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- For extra heat, add more sambal oelek or even a pinch of red pepper flakes.
