Print

Authentic Food Truck Style Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp: Crispy, Buttery, and Super Garlicky

Close-up of golden, saucy Hawaiian garlic shrimp topped with fresh parsley and chili flakes.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

You can bring the taste of the islands home with this easy recipe for Hawaiian garlic shrimp. We focus on creating that signature, rich garlic butter sauce that makes the famous food truck shrimp so addictive. This dish cooks fast and delivers bold, tropical flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced fine
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper until lightly coated. This step helps create a slightly crisp exterior.
  2. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and foams.
  3. Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and lightly browned. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Stir in the smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, if using. Cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and toss everything together quickly to coat the shrimp evenly in the buttery garlic sauce. Cook for 1 minute more until the shrimp is heated through.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed white rice to soak up the flavorful garlic butter sauce.

Notes

  • For the best food truck flavor, use high-quality butter.
  • Serve this dish with a side of white rice, which is essential for absorbing the rich garlic butter sauce.
  • If you want crispier shrimp, you can lightly dredge them in the flour mixture and pan-fry them separately before adding them back to the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumdrizzle.com/hawaiian-garlic-shrimp-recipe/