Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp. A popular local Hawaiian dish that’s so flavorful and garlicky in the best way. Bring the Hawaiian garlic shrimp truck experience home with this easy recipe!
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**Recipe originally published: September 17, 2021, Post updated: November 11, 2023
Shrimp Dinner Ideas
This Hawaiian garlic shrimp will have your mouth watering before you even dig in! Here’s my take on the crowd-favorite local Hawaiian dish which you can find at the food trucks in Hawaii.
And it only takes 25 minutes to make! It’s not only a great dinner addition for whenever you have a craving for some seafood, but also makes as a wonderful appetizer for potlucks and dinner parties.
What Is Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp?
It’s essentially shrimp that’s coated with some potato or corn starch (to get that crispy texture), and a seasoning mixture containing paprika, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper, before it’s fried in oil. Then, it’s combined with a delicious garlic butter sauce.
Traditionally, the crispy and succulent shrimp is always served with some rice and lemon wedges. Once you squeeze the lemon all over, it pulls the flavors all perfectly together.
As a garlic lover, this dish is an absolute dream. It’s so easy to make, and most of the ingredients are ones you already have in the pantry!
Plus, the aroma that arises from that garlic butter is absolutely delectable. Enjoy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Shrimp
- Lemon wedges
- Neutral oil
Seasoned dredge
- Potato/corn starch
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Neutral oil
Garlic Butter Sauce
- Butter
- Garlic: Adjust amount to preference.
- Paprika
- Saltย
- Sugar
- Pepper
how to make easy crispy hawaiian garlic shrimp
- Clean and devein the shrimp but leave the shell on (see notes).
- In a bowl, mix the dry seasoned dredge ingredients together and add shrimp. Toss and make sure every shrimp is coated.
- Add enough neutral oil to a pan to cover the surface of the pan and heat it up over medium heat (see notes). Once the oil is hot enough, add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until it’s crispy and golden brown. Cook in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. Set aside for later.
- Let the oil cool slightly and then transfer the oil in the pan to a bowl, leaving about 1-2 tbsp of in the pan or use a new pan. Over medium low heat, add butter and if you’re using a new pan, add 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil as well. Once the butter melts, add minced garlic.
- Let it cook for 3-4 minutes or until right before it turns golden brown– stirring often so the garlic doesn’t burn. Add the seasonings and turn down the heat to low. Stir until everything is well combined and turn off heat.
- Immediately add shrimp and coat it with the garlic butter sauce. Serve with white rice and lemon wedge. Enjoy!
notes for hawaiian garlic shrimp
Can I adjust the amount of garlic used?
The amount of garlic used should be up to your heart’s desire. I say more is always better but that’s just me. :)
Are you supposed to eat the shell of Hawaiian garlic shrimp?
Some people choose to remove the shells but I prefer it on as it gives a nice crispy texture once it’s fried. It should be up to your preference! If you are keeping the shell on, make sure to fry it really well.
I like crispy shrimp since I like it with the shell on so I fry it well with a lot of neutral oil. You can also pan fry it with a few tbsp of oil instead.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Easy Bang Bang Shrimp
- Crispy Coconut Shrimp
- Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Easy Salt And Pepper Shrimp
- Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
- Malaysian Fried Butter Shrimp/Prawn
More Seafood Recipes
- Miso Garlic Butter Salmon
- Spicy Garlic Butter Clams (Without Wine)
- Fried Calamari
- Salmon Crab Stick Sushi Bake
- Salmon Mentai Aburi Don
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Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- lemon wedges
- neutral oil
Seasoned dredge
- 1/2 cup potato/corn starch
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 tbsp neutral oil
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 10-15 cloves garlic minced – adjust amount to preference
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4-1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Clean and devein the shrimp but leave the shell on (see notes).
- In a bowl, mix the dry seasoned dredge ingredients together and add shrimp. Toss and make sure every shrimp is coated.
- Add enough neutral oil to a pan to cover the surface of the pan and heat it up over medium heat (see notes). Once the oil is hot enough, add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until it's crispy and golden brown. Cook in batches and don't overcrowd the pan. Set aside for later.
- Let the oil cool slightly and then transfer the oil in the pan to a bowl, leaving about 1-2 tbsp of in the pan or use a new pan. Over medium low heat, add butter and if you're using a new pan, add 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil as well. Once the butter melts, add minced garlic.
- Let it cook for 3-4 minutes or until right before it turns golden brown– stirring often so the garlic doesn't burn. Add the seasonings and turn down the heat to low. Stir until everything is well combined and turn off heat.
- Immediately add shrimp and coat it with the garlic butter sauce. Serve with white rice and lemon wedge. Enjoy!
We absolutely LOVED this recipe!! Thank you!! Flavors were perfect. Leaving the shell on changes the game!