Firecracker Shrimp

4.6
(20)
14 Reviews
5 Photos

To make these easy firecracker shrimp, simply toss fresh shrimp in a sweet and spicy Asian-inspired sauce and then quickly stir fry in a wok.

By
Juliana Hale
Juliana Hale
Juliana Hale
Juliana Hale is a culinary specialist with over 20 years of experience in recipe testing and development. She works closely with Allrecipes, Better Homes & Gardens, Forks Over Knives, Midwest Living, and Traditional Home both in the test kitchens and with her stories.
Allrecipes' editorial guidelines
Updated on May 21, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself.
Meet the Allrecipes Test Kitchen
5
Looking down at a bowl of white rice, topped with firecracker shrimp, green onions and sesame seeds.
5
5
5
5
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4
Jump to Nutrition Facts

This homemade firecracker shrimp recipe, developed by culinary expert Juliana Hale, is a sweet and spicy flavor sensation. 

Firecracker Shrimp Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this firecracker shrimp recipe: 

  • For the sauce: sweet chili sauce, lime zest, lime juice, sriracha, and low-sodium soy sauce
  • Shrimp: You’ll need a pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Learn how to peel and devein shrimp here. 
  • Salt: Season the shrimp with salt before you coat it with cornstarch. 
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps ensure the shrimp is crispy. Plus, according to Juliana, it helps thicken the sauce. 
  • Oil: This firecracker shrimp calls for peanut oil, which has a high smoke point. 
  • Rice: Serve the firecracker shrimp over hot, cooked white rice for a complete meal. 
  • Garnishes: Garnish the firecracker shrimp with fresh green onions and sesame seeds. 

Tip from Juliana: To make this firecracker shrimp recipe gluten-free, replace soy sauce with tamari sauce. 

firecracker

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

How to Make Firecracker Shrimp

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make firecracker shrimp at home: 

  1. Make the sauce. 
  2. Dry the shrimp, season, and coat with cornstarch. 
  3. Cook the shrimp in oil until opaque, then remove from the wok.
  4. Boil the sauce until thick. 
  5. Return the shrimp to the wok and toss in the sauce. 
  6. Serve the firecracker shrimp over rice and garnish. 

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen — check out some tips and tricks from culinary experts that might make the cooking process easier: 

  • Look for sweet chili sauce in your supermarket where Asian condiments and sauces are sold.
  • Blotting the shrimp dry with paper towels will help the cornstarch adhere without forming a slurry.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari.
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil will also work — just make sure to choose an oil with a high smoke point.
  • For more heat, serve with additional sriracha.

What to Serve With Firecracker Shrimp

Juliana says this firecracker shrimp recipe would work perfectly as an impressive dinner for company or as a quick weeknight dinner. She recommends serving with a salad, egg rolls, or dumplings. 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha

  • 1 tablespoon sodium-reduced soy sauce

  • 1 pound medium shrimp (41 to 50), peeled and deveined

  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil

  • 4 cups hot cooked white rice

  • 2 tablespoons bias-sliced green onions

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients gathered to make firecracker shrimp.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir together sweet chili sauce, lime zest, lime juice, sriracha, and soy sauce.

    Sauce ingredients stirred together.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Blot shrimp dry with paper towels. Season shrimp with salt.

    Shrimp dried with paper towel, then seasoned with salt.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Toss shrimp with cornstarch in a medium bowl to coat.

    Shrimp tossed with cornstarch, until well coated.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Heat oil in a wok or extra-large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from wok.

    Shrimp cooking in a wok of hot oil, until opaque.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Add sauce mixture to wok and heat to boiling.

    Sauce mixture added to wok, heating until boiling.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Return shrimp to wok and toss to coat.

    Shrimp added to sauce, tossing to coat.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Serve Firecracker Shrimp over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds.

    Serve with rice, green onions and sesame seeds.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

466 Calories
10g Fat
61g Carbs
31g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 466
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 239mg 80%
Sodium 1535mg 67%
Total Carbohydrate 61g 22%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 31g 62%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 136mg 10%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 308mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

You’ll Also Love

https://www.allrecipes.com/cook/francecevallos/recipe/5b3850a3-c797-4835-9638-b2ffa141b71c/
Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry
6 Ratings
pineapple, shrimp, pepper, and broccoli stir fry in wok
Pineapple Shrimp Stir-Fry
pearl gray bowl of shrimp, snow pea, and red and yellow bell pepper stir-fry on rice
Shrimp and Pepper Stir-Fry
3 Ratings
overhead view of wok with chicken, shrimp, and vegetable stir-fry
Shrimp and Chicken Stir-Fry
Classic Pad Thai
31 Ratings
close up view of Shrimp Stir Fry with pasta, peppers, herbs, and snow peas on a plate
Shrimp Stir Fry
52 Ratings
sweet and sour shrimp with pineapple and green onions
Sweet and Sour Shrimp
3 Ratings
Coconut, Chile, and Lime Shrimp
Teriyaki Shrimp Noodles
Teriyaki Shrimp Noodles
1 Rating
Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli
10 Ratings
1649016491Shrimp20and20Broccoli20Stir-Fry.jpeg
Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry
2 Ratings
Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fr
Pineapple-Shrimp Stir-Fry
2 Ratings
close up view of Drunken Shrimp garnished with green onions
Drunken Shrimp
131 Ratings
Asian-Style Shrimp Scampi
6 Ratings
Spaghetti with shrimp and scallions and spicy sauce
Shrimp and Noodles with Chili Crisp Sauce
8 Ratings
Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
7 Ratings