This teriyaki shrimp recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare but is loaded with flavor, making it a tasty and easy weeknight meal. It is perfect for serving over rice, noodles or your favorite side dish.
When it comes to weeknight meals, one of the first things that comes to mind is shrimp - from lemon garlic butter shrimp to blackened shrimp to Cajun shrimp and grits.
And these shrimp tossed in a simple teriyaki sauce are in the same boat. Yes you can buy some store-bought teriyaki sauce but making your own isn't that much extra work and it tastes just so much better. It is the perfect combo of sweet and salty.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare - You can have this meal ready in under 15 minutes.
- Versatile - You can pair it with rice, vegetables or your favorite side.
- Loaded with flavor - The homemade teriyaki sauce offers a blend of sweet and savory flavors, complementing the shrimp perfectly.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil - The fat needed to cook the shrimp but canola oil or even butter works too.
- Shrimp - Use wild shrimp and whatever size you like. Just keep in mind the cooking time will vary.
- Teriyaki sauce - I like to make my own as it uses ingredients I usually have in the pantry/fridge but you are welcome to buy store-bought.
- Cornstarch - Helps thicken the sauce. You can also use flour.
- Garnishes - Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for added texture and freshness.
How to Make Teriyaki Shrimp
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Prepare the teriyaki sauce in a bowl and set aside. Then heat a large skillet with some oil over medium-high heat and cook for the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Add the sauce to the skillet and then whisk in the water and cornstarch and simmer for about 1 minute or until thick. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat.
Recipe FAQs
In simple terms, teriyaki is a sauce that is made of soy sauce, sugar, and varied ingredients like pineapple and garlic. While teriyaki is considered Japanese, its history can actually be traced to Hawaii, making it more American.
If you've never peeled and deveined shrimp I suggest watching this video from Epicurious.
When properly cooked, the exterior of the shrimp should be pink with red tails and the flesh is slightly opaque and a little “white” in color. It only takes about 2 minutes per side in a pan to cook shrimp.
Yes, grilling the shrimp adds a delicious smoky flavor. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and brush with teriyaki sauce before grilling until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side.
A vegetable like broccoli or sugar snap peas works great tossed in the sauce. Even a combination of vegetables like these roasted carrots and green beans work great.
Also serving over some white rice helps soak up some of the sauce.
Shrimp is one of those things that is best right after cooking but you can reheat. You want to reheat over low heat so they don't become rubbery. Reheat in a skillet over low heat with the sauce until warmed through.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use wild shrimp when possible. It is healthier for you and just tastes better. Frozen shrimp works fine too but just make sure they're thawed before cooking.
- If you use pre-cooked shrimp, you want to cook just 30 seconds per side so they don't get overcooked.
- If you don't have fresh ginger, replace with ½ teaspoon of dried ginger.
- If you like some heat, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Wait until teriyaki sauce has thickened before adding the shrimp.
Other Recommended Shrimp Recipes
If you’ve tried this teriyaki shrimp recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Teriyaki Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 green onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the say sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, green onions and sesame seed
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until pink.
- Remove shrimp from pan and add teriyaki sauce, bringing to a boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tablespoon of water and cornstarch until smooth and add to sauce. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until thick.
- Return the shrimp to coat evenly with the sauce. Serve over some rice and veggies if desired.
Notes
- Use wild shrimp when possible. It is healthier for you and just tastes better. Frozen shrimp works fine too but just make sure they're thawed before cooking.
- If you use pre-cooked shrimp, you want to cook just 30 seconds per side so they don't get overcooked.
- If you don't have fresh ginger, replace with ½ teaspoon of dried ginger.
- If you like some heat, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Wait until teriyaki sauce has thickened before adding the shrimp.
Rhow says
Made recipe for second time tonight! First time made shrimp, broccoli & mushrooms. Delicious! little but too much ginger for me. So I cut amount in half this time. I preferred with less ginger. Omitted sesame seeds & onions. Delicious recipe! Such a devious recipe!
Ryan says
Glad you enjoyed!