This fake Panda Express Sizzling Shrimp is packed with strong flavors from juicy jumbo shrimp in a thick, savory sauce. This recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and has a taste that is sweet, spicy, and tangy all in one bite. It uses crisp vegetables and Asian sauces to make it taste great.
With this recipe, it’s never been easier to make restaurant-quality food at home on a busy weeknight! This panda express sizzling shrimp recipe is even better than takeout because it saves you money and can be changed to suit your family’s tastes. Adjust the spice level, swap the veggies, or make it a little sweeter. Pair this shrimp stir-fry with your favorite Asian sides for a home-cooked meal that tastes as good as anything you’d get at a restaurant.
Panda Express’ sizzling shrimp is one of their most popular menu items. The dish features succulent shrimp sautéed in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce with veggies. It arrives at your table sizzling hot in a cast iron skillet. But what exactly goes into this crowd-pleasing recipe? Let’s take a closer look at what makes this shrimp dish so craveable.
An Overview of Panda Express Sizzling Shrimp
Sizzling shrimp from Panda Express consists of tender shrimp and crisp veggies tossed in a flavorful sauce. It is served piping hot in a cast iron skillet, allowing the shrimp to continue cooking and sizzling at your table. The dish contains the following components:
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Shrimp – Large, peeled and deveined shrimp that are lightly battered and fried until golden brown. They have a crispy exterior with a juicy, bouncy texture inside.
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Vegetables – Onions, red bell peppers, carrots and broccoli florets provide crunch and visual appeal.
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Sauce – A savory, sweet, and spicy sauce ties everything together. It contains soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and chili paste.
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Aromatics – Garlic, ginger, green onions and sesame seeds add aromatic flavor.
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Cast iron skillet – This keeps the shrimp sizzling hot at your table.
The combination of crispy shrimp, fresh veggies, zesty sauce, and hot skillet makes for an interactive and flavorful dish you won’t soon forget.
The Origins of Sizzling Shrimp at Panda Express
Andrew Cherng, the founder of Panda Express, was inspired by his experiences with sizzling rice bowls while traveling in Taiwan. The concept of serving food in a hot cast iron skillet to keep it sizzling throughout the meal stuck with him.
When Panda Express debuted in 1983, Cherng wanted to capture this interactive dining experience. The chain’s original sizzling rice bowl with chicken and veggies became an instant hit. Over the years, Panda Express built on this concept to create more sizzling entrees like steak, shrimp, and chicken.
The sizzling shrimp dish as we know it today emerged in the early 2000s. It has since become a signature menu item and fan favorite thanks to its bold flavors and innovative presentation style.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
While Panda Express keeps their exact recipe under wraps, the basic cooking method for sizzling shrimp goes something like this:
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Marinate the shrimp: The peeled, deveined shrimp is tossed in a blend of cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. This helps add flavor and aids in browning.
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Batter and fry the shrimp: The shrimp is lightly battered then fried in oil until crispy and golden brown outside but still juicy inside.
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Stir fry the vegetables: Onions, bell peppers, broccoli and other veggies are stir fried in oil to the perfect tender-crisp texture.
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Make the sauce: Soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and chili paste are combined to make the signature sauce.
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Toss shrimp and veggies in sauce: The crisp shrimp and stir-fried veggies are tossed in the savory sauce to coat.
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Serve sizzling hot: The saucy shrimp and veggies are served immediately in a hot cast iron skillet at your table.
Cooking the ingredients separately in stages helps ensure the best flavors and textures before combining everything for that perfect sizzle.
The Sauce Ingredients That Give It Flavor
The sauce is what really sets Panda Express sizzling shrimp apart and gives it bold, complex flavor. Here are some of the key ingredients that go into the sauce:
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Soy sauce: Provides salty, savory umami flavor. They likely use a low-sodium version.
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Rice vinegar: Adds mild acidity to balance the richness.
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Sesame oil: Provides nutty aroma and flavor.
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Ginger and garlic: Ginger brings spicy warmth while garlic gives pungent aroma.
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Brown sugar: A touch of sugar balances the saltiness and adds sweetness.
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Chili paste or chili oil: Brings moderate heat and depth of flavor.
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Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it coats the shrimp and veggies.
When these ingredients come together in just the right ratios, you get that signature sizzling shrimp sauce that is impossible to resist.
Why Customers Love This Dish
There are several reasons sizzling shrimp has become one of the most popular items at Panda Express locations nationwide:
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Interactive experience: Watching and hearing the shrimp sizzle at your table is fun and appetizing.
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Contrasting textures: Crispy fried shrimp, with tender veggies and thick savory sauce.
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Big shrimp: Using large shrimp makes each bite satisfying.
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Addictive sauce: The sweet, salty, savory, spicy sauce is perfectly balanced.
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Customization: You can add extra sauce or chili oil to suit your tastes.
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Nostalgia: Brings back memories of beloved Asian flavors.
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Satisfying meal: Provides protein, veggies, and carbs in one indulgent dish.
With a track record of happy customers, sizzling shrimp is sure to remain a staple on the Panda Express menu for years to come.
Tips for Making It at Home
While Panda Express keeps their exact recipe secret, you can recreate something very similar at home. Here are some tips:
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Use raw jumbo shrimp and fry until crispy in cornstarch batter. This mimics Panda’s light breading.
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For the sauce, start with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Adjust until you find the perfect flavor balance.
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Stir fry peppers, onions, broccoli and carrots in separate batches for best texture.
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Combine everything in a hot skillet or wok to finish. The cooking process should go quickly.
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Consider adding aromatics like garlic, ginger and sesame seeds. They provide extra flavor.
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Serve immediately over rice to enjoy the maximum sizzle and heat of this dish.
With practice at home, you can create your own signature version of this Panda Express classic to become a go-to meal for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Panda Express sizzling shrimp:
Is the shrimp battered or breaded?
The shrimp has a very light batter as opposed to a thick, crunchy breading. This helps keep the shrimp tender inside.
What type of chili oil or paste is used in the sauce?
They likely use a milder chili paste or oil to keep the heat level moderate. Options like sambal or Korean gochujang would work well.
What’s the best way to customize this dish?
Ask for extra sauce on the side or add more chili oil or garlic to amp up flavors you love most. Many enjoy extra sauce for dipping.
What does the shrimp and veggie combo vary by location?
Specific veggies may vary, but the dish usually includes bell pepper, onion, broccoli and carrot. Some locations add mushrooms, snap peas or water chestnuts.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce is best. Covering with a lid traps in moisture. Microwaving can make the shrimp and veggies chewy.
Does Panda Express offer any vegetarian or shrimp-free versions?
Yes, you can order veggie sizzling rice or noodles without the shrimp. Some locations also allow substitutions like tofu or chicken.
With its origins tied to Panda’s innovative sizzling rice bowls, sizzling shrimp has become a standout menu item in its own right. Its contrasting textures, irresistible sauce flavors, and interactive dining experience make it a one-of-a-kind dish to enjoy.
How To Make Panda Express Sizzling Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. In a bowl, season the shrimp with salt, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika. Toss the shrimp to ensure even coating. Sprinkle cornstarch over the seasoned shrimp and toss until they are well-coated.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp carefully in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch each other. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced onions, cubed bell peppers, and baby broccoli to the skillet. Sauté the vegetables for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but still crisp.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce. Put the rice vinegar, brown sugar, peeled garlic and ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, soy sauce, Gochujang sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Stir until the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 5: Combine Shrimp and Sauce. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the sauce mixture over the shrimp and vegetables in the skillet. Toss everything together until the shrimp and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 6: Finish Cooking. Once the vegetables and shrimp are warm, add a little more sauce and cook for a few more minutes. The sauce should get a little thicker.
Step 7: Serve. Serve the shrimp over rice or any other base you like, and let the bright colors and tempting smells take your breath away.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Make sure all of your ingredients are ready to go before you start cooking. This includes cutting up the vegetables, peeling and deveining the shrimp, and measuring out the sauce ingredients.
- Coat Shrimp Evenly: When you season the shrimp and coat them in cornstarch, make sure that all of them are covered the same amount. This will ensure even cooking and a uniform texture.
- Grill Vegetables Until Soft and Crisp: When you grill the baby broccoli, onions, and bell peppers, you want them to be soft but still a little crisp. This will keep their shape and color, making the dish taste more fresh.
- If You Want a Thicker Sauce: You can let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken it if you want a thicker sauce. You can also quickly thicken the sauce by adding a cornstarch slurry, which is cornstarch mixed with water.
- Serve right away: shrimp that is sizzling is best when it’s hot and fresh from the pan. Serve it right away with rice or your favorite base to get the most out of all the flavors and textures.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s fresh. Succulent shrimp and fresh veggies are light and refreshing.
- It’s healthy. You can be sure that YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS IN YOUR FOOD. Without any extra ingredients or preservatives, this restaurant version of your favorite meal will be safe for you.
- It’s family-friendly. This recipe is great for busy weeknights when everyone is hungry. It is quick and easy to make, and both kids and adults will enjoy it.
- Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp that are soft and seasoned with a mix of salt, garlic powder, ground pepper, and paprika. They are then covered in cornstarch to make them crispy. Vegetarian? Swap out the shrimp for tofu cubes.
- Vegetables: A mix of bright vegetables, like yellow onion, red bell pepper, and fresh baby broccoli, cooked until they are just right gives the dish a lively crunch. You can use any vegetables that are in season that you have on hand.
- Sauce: The delicious sauce is made from a mix of tastes. Soy sauce low in sodium is the base for the dish’s flavor, and Gochujang sauce adds a spicy kick. The sweetness of brown sugar balances everything out. Adding finely grated garlic and ginger gives the sauce a warm, complex smell, and crushed red pepper flakes give it a tantalizing heat that makes every bite fiery. A little sesame oil adds a nutty smell and depth of flavor, tying everything together into a sauce that is hard to resist.
