We went through a really rough stretch a few months ago when we started trying to eat healthier dinners. I’d planned our meals for the week, and was genuinely excited about all of them. But one night after the next, we choked down something that was just barely edible – a super dry and bland pasta bake, buffalo chicken salad that wasn’t nearly as exciting as it sounded, flavorless chili…the list goes on. It was oh so tempting to just pick up the phone and order pizza on a few of those nights. I’m sure Shane wished I had, but he was a really good sport about the whole thing.
We hit a breakthrough the night I made this pan-seared shrimp recipe. Shane and I each took our first bite, looked at one another and breathed a sigh of relief. Dinner was actually good for the first time all week! We’ve never gobbled up a meal quite so quickly π I’ve since made the recipe at least three more times, just to confirm it wasn’t a fluke, but this continues to be a favorite meal here.
There’s so much to love about this recipe. First, it is literally one of the fastest dinners I’ve ever made. From start to finish we’re talking maybe 10 minutes, if that, so it’s perfect for any night of the week! Second, hoisin sauce. I continue to be completely obsessed with the stuff, the sweet and tangy combo just works for me. And perhaps best of all, at least in my book, it’s low in calories and the portion size is quite large. It always leaves me feeling satisfied!
Pan-Seared Shrimp with Ginger-Hoisin Glaze
barely adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
pinch red pepper flakes
1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/8 teaspoon sugar
4 teaspoons canola oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced (to garnish)
In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, water, ginger, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Spread the shrimp on a double layer of paper towels and pat the tops dry with additional towels (you want both sides good and dry!). Season both sides with salt and pepper, as well as the sugar.
Set a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the oil and heat until shimmering. Add half of the shrimp to the pan and cook for about 1 minute per side, or until they are cooked through and browned on both sides. Remove to a plate. Repeat with remaining oil and the other half of the shrimp.
When the second batch of shrimp are cooked, add the first batch back to the pan along with the hoisin sauce. Toss the shrimp until they’ve all been coated with the sauce. Garnish with the scallions when serving (we like to serve over rice).
This meal is a huge hit with me, thanks for making it!
Eating healthy can often be a challenge. There are a lot of BAD “healthy” recipes out there. It doesn’t work if they’re not good. Luckily, this looks awesome.
This looks amazing, Tracey! I would eat this in a heartbeat! π
I have all of the ingredients for this right now. I can’t wait to try it. Looks great, Tracey!
Mmmmm…I’m totally making this. Hoisin is the bees knees:)
This shrimp dish looks so easy and delicious, Tracey! I’ve been meaning to make more Asian dishes lately and this is perfect!
You have the sweetest husband! I rarely see any other bloggers’ hubbies comment. You sound like a wonderful team π
Yes, please! I love the simplicity of this dish – perfect for a weeknight meal!
Would you look at this beautiful savory dish! π
It looks great! And I’m impressed by how quick it is. I’m trying to eat healthy but there are some things that I just need. Like lasagna, fried chicken and lots of pizza. Healthier versions of these things just aren’t the same (whole grain pizza is nice but sometimes I want a Pizza Hut pan pizza). So I make these things and just force myself to eat a lot of vegetables before I get to the good stuff and it fills me up. But if I had yummy healthy meals like this, I wouldn’t have to go to all that trouble. π
Love this! I’m on an Asian food kick lately so this is right up my alley! And I totally relate to the healthy = bland thing. My husband wants Paleo food every night but neither of us ever like it that much!
Making this for dinner…right now. Seriously. It looks so good!
I hate losing streaks like that, which make you doubt your cooking ability, your taste buds AND your ability to choose recipes! But I’m glad you broke out of it because healthy cooking can definitely be delicious! This shrimp sounds so flavorful…definitely key!
ooh hoisin is one of my favorite flavors and I love ginger! Can’t wait to try this out! Glad you guys are finding some good meals π
Kevin and I were just talking about making up the shrimp we have in the fridge. How perfect. π The glaze itself sounds heavenly!
I just made hoisin chicken and am hooked! This looks awesome!
Oh this looks amazing! I just love shrimp dishes like this.
i’m in love with shrimp! this recipe looks awesome!
These look delicious! I am always looking for new shrimp recipes. I even have most of these ingredients already!
It looks like the perfect non-margarita way to bust out of a losing streak π
Obviously you know we like shrimp here, so this is getting printed immediately! We love hoisin sauce too, so this is perfect!
I just made it for tonight’s dinner. I added sugar snap peas and red bell peppers. Very good, quick, easy. Thanks!
Yum, this looks delicious π I love quick, tasty meals!
Delicious and quick! Thanks : )
Made this last night – delicious!