Homemade Garlic Butter Shrimp Box
Delicious Garlic Butter Shrimp with Plenty of Onions – Perfect for Camping or Lunch Boxes!
You can now make the popular shrimp box, often found at food trucks, right at home! This recipe is packed with sweet, sautéed onions and includes spam, a favorite among kids. It’s a true ‘rice thief’ that will have you craving another bowl.
Main Ingredients
- 270g Frozen Argentine Red Shrimp (peeled and deveined for convenience)
- 200g Onion (about 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped)
- 70g Garlic (about 10-12 cloves, coarsely minced)
- 420g Cooked Rice (for 2 servings)
- 1 Tbsp Cheongyang Pepper (seeds removed, finely chopped – adjust to your spice preference)
- 3 Tbsp Butter (unsalted or salted, both work)
- Pinch of Parsley Flakes (for garnish)
Mayonnaise Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Honey (maple syrup or sugar can be substituted)
- 2 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (adds creaminess and sweetness)
- Pinch of Black Pepper (freshly ground is best)
Shrimp Preparation
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Sake, Mirin, or dry white wine can be substituted)
- Pinch of Herb Salt (or regular salt and pepper to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Honey (maple syrup or sugar can be substituted)
- 2 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (adds creaminess and sweetness)
- Pinch of Black Pepper (freshly ground is best)
Shrimp Preparation
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Sake, Mirin, or dry white wine can be substituted)
- Pinch of Herb Salt (or regular salt and pepper to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s get started by preparing the ingredients for our ‘Garlic Butter Shrimp Box’. The main ingredient, Argentine red shrimp, is readily available in the frozen section of most supermarkets. Using pre-peeled and deveined shrimp will save you a lot of prep time!
Step 2
Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry. In a bowl, combine the shrimp with 2 tablespoons of cooking wine and a pinch of herb salt. Gently toss to coat and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps to remove any fishy odor and imparts a subtle flavor.
Step 3
Finely mince the garlic, chop the onion into small pieces, and cut the spam into bite-sized cubes, about 2cm in size.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the cubed spam. Cook until it’s golden brown and slightly crispy on all sides, rendering some of its fat. This step adds a delicious depth of flavor.
Step 5
In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and chopped Cheongyang pepper. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, and the onions become translucent and sweet. Be careful not to burn the garlic. If you prefer more heat, feel free to add extra chili pepper.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to cook the shrimp. Wipe the pan clean or use a separate one. Melt another tablespoon of butter over medium heat and add the marinated shrimp.
Step 7
Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque and are just cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid overcooking, as this can make them tough.
Step 8
A quick tip: Cooking the spam, shrimp, and onion-garlic mixture separately is key to achieving the best texture and flavor for each ingredient. If cooked together, the shrimp can become overcooked and rubbery, while the garlic and onions might burn before they are tender. This method ensures each component is perfectly cooked.
Step 9
Let’s make the delightful mayonnaise sauce! Turn off the heat after melting the last tablespoon of butter in a pan. Add 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir gently until well combined. The residual heat will help emulsify the sauce without overcooking it. Your creamy and delicious sauce is ready!
Step 10
Now, combine everything for the final delicious coating. Add the cooked spam, shrimp, and the sautéed onion-garlic mixture to the mayonnaise sauce. Turn the heat to high and stir everything together quickly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, ensuring all ingredients are coated in the sauce. Turn off the heat immediately to prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or the ingredients from sticking together.
Step 11
Spoon 2 servings of warm, cooked rice into your bento box or container.
Step 12
Generously top the rice with the finished Garlic Butter Shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with parsley flakes for a final touch, and your delicious Shrimp Box is complete! The combination of garlic, onion, and the creamy sauce is incredibly addictive and pairs perfectly with rice. This makes for a fantastic meal at home, a delightful picnic treat, or a convenient camping dish!
