This Shrimp with Oyster Sauce recipe is really simple to make thus tasty. Full shrimp are cooked in a sweet and exquisite sauce for finger-licking goodness. Wonderful with steamed rice!
Table Of Contents
⦁ Ingredient notes
⦁ Helpful tips
⦁ How to serve and store
⦁ More shrimp recipes
⦁ Shrimp with Oyster Sauce
My mother was not one you’d find puttering around in the kitchen. She kept a very immaculate house but mostly left preparing everyday meals for the househelp.
When I was growing up, her cooking was more like a special occasion than a regular occurrence. But although she didn’t cook often, she did have a repertoire of special recipes up her sleeves.
Call me bias but I have yet to find one shrimp dish that can beat my mom’s shrimp with oyster sauce. And I say that even with twenty-plus of my very own shrimp recipes here on the blog.
Her recipe is one of the easiest and simplest dishes you can make but is full of finger-licking goodness. It requires basic pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand and takes under 30 minutes from prep to dinner!
Ingredient notes
Shrimp– use head-on, shell-on shrimp for best results. I used large 31/35 count in the recipe.
Aromatics– onions and garlic
Fish sauce– adds an umami taste
Tomato sauce– thickens the sauce and enhances flavor
Oyster sauce– rich, syruplike condiment that adds a slightly sweet and salty taste.
Helpful Tips
⦁ Drain the shrimp well before cooking or you’ll end up with way more liquid. This is a sort of “dry” dish with the sauce mostly clinging onto the shrimp.
⦁ Do not overcrowd lest they turn tough and hard to peel.
⦁ Shrimp with oyster sauce is delicious as a main dish with steamed rice. Perfect for kamayan!
⦁ Store leftovers in a container with lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
⦁ Reheat in the microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals until warmed through.
Shrimp with Oyster Sauce
Shrimp with oyster sauce is the easiest and simplest dish you can make. It’s coated with a sweet and savory sauce for the ultimate flavor. Finger-licking delicious with steamed rice!
Ingredients
⦁ 1 pound large shrimp, shell and head on
⦁ 1 tablespoon canola oil
⦁ 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
⦁ 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
⦁ 1 teaspoon fish sauce
⦁ 1/2 cup tomato sauce
⦁ 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
⦁ salt to taste
Instructions
⦁ Using scissors, trim shrimp of tendrils. Wash and drain very well.
⦁ In a pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
⦁ Add fish sauce and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes.
⦁ Add tomato sauce and allow to simmer until reduced and thickened.
⦁ Add shrimp and continue to cook, stirring to combine, until coated with tomato sauce and color has turned pink.
⦁ Add oyster sauce and continue to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp are cooked and sauce clings to shrimps.
⦁ Season with salt to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
Drain the shrimp well before cooking or you’ll end up with way more liquid. This is a sort of “dry” dish with the sauce mostly clinging onto the shrimp.
FAQ Shrimp with Oyster Sauce
Q: What is Shrimp with Oyster Sauce?
A: Shrimp with Oyster Sauce is a popular dish in many Asian cuisines, including Chinese and Filipino cuisine. It features succulent shrimp cooked in a flavorful sauce made primarily from oyster sauce, along with other complementary ingredients.
Q: How is Shrimp with Oyster Sauce prepared?
A: Here’s a common way to prepare Shrimp with Oyster Sauce:
- Start by cleaning and deveining the shrimp, leaving the tails intact if desired. You can peel the shrimp completely or leave the shells on for added flavor.
- In a bowl, prepare a marinade for the shrimp by combining soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss the shrimp in the marinade and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Heat some oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the marinated shrimp to the pan and cook them until they turn pink and are almost cooked through. Be careful not to overcook them to maintain their tenderness.
- Push the shrimp to one side of the pan and add sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry them for a few minutes until they are slightly softened but still retain some crunch.
- In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, a little water or chicken broth, and a pinch of sugar. Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the shrimp and vegetables.
- Stir everything together to coat the shrimp and vegetables with the sauce. Let it cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the shrimp are fully cooked.
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a bit more oyster sauce, soy sauce, or sugar according to your taste preferences.
- Once the shrimp are fully cooked and the flavors are well combined, remove the pan from heat.
- Garnish with sliced spring onions or cilantro for a fresh touch, if desired.
- Serve the Shrimp with Oyster Sauce hot with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal with other dishes.
Q: Can I add other ingredients to Shrimp with Oyster Sauce?
A: Absolutely! Shrimp with Oyster Sauce is a versatile dish, and you can add other ingredients to enhance its flavor and texture. Some common additions include sliced mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, or baby corn. You can also incorporate spices or seasonings like ginger, chili flakes, or sesame oil to give it an extra kick. Feel free to experiment and customize the recipe based on your preferences.
Q: Are there any variations of Shrimp with Oyster Sauce?
A: Yes, there are variations of Shrimp with Oyster Sauce across different Asian cuisines and even within regions. Some variations might include different vegetables, additional sauces or condiments, or variations in the seasoning. For example, in Filipino cuisine, a popular variation is “Ginataang Hipon,” where shrimp is cooked with oyster sauce and coconut milk (gata) for a creamy and rich flavor. These variations offer unique twists to the dish while keeping the essence of shrimp cooked with oyster sauce intact.