These Sweet and Spicy Shrimp bring the vibrant flavors of Korean cuisine straight to your table. The combination of soy, garlic, ginger, and gochujang creates a mouthwatering glaze that clings perfectly to each tender shrimp. A touch of sesame oil and toasted seeds adds a nutty depth, while a sprinkle of fresh scallions brightens every bite. Best of all, this dish comes together in under half an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner cravings. Whether you serve them as a main course over rice, tuck them into lettuce wraps, or offer them as an appetizer at your next gathering, these shrimp are sure to impress. Their balance of sweet heat will keep you coming back for more.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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½ cup light soy sauce
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3 scallions, minced, divided
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (or all-purpose flour)
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1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
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1 ½ teaspoons mirin
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1 ½ teaspoons white sugar (or more to taste)
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1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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½ teaspoon sesame oil
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1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
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½ tablespoon gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
Directions:
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In a bowl, mix soy sauce, 2 minced scallions, garlic, sesame seeds, cornstarch, ginger, mirin, sugar, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
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Place shrimp in a resealable bag, pour in the marinade, seal, and shake to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
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Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp, reserving leftover marinade, and cook 3–5 minutes until opaque. Remove shrimp from pan.
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Add 3 tablespoons reserved marinade and gochujang to the skillet. Cook over medium-low until thickened, about 2 minutes.
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Brush glaze over shrimp or serve as a dipping sauce. Garnish with remaining scallions.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 7 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 313 kcal | Servings: 2 servings
A Taste of Korea at Home
Sweet and Spicy Shrimp is a dish that perfectly embodies the essence of Korean-inspired cooking — a masterful balance between heat, sweetness, umami, and aromatics. This recipe marries the savory depth of soy sauce with the fiery kick of gochujang (Korean red chili paste), the nutty fragrance of sesame oil, and the fresh bite of scallions and garlic. It’s a modern fusion of traditional Korean flavors made accessible for the home cook, bringing restaurant-level taste right to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes.
While the origins of this dish stem from the Korean love for balancing flavors in their marinades and sauces, the technique used here is adaptable across many culinary styles. By glazing shrimp with a thick, glossy sauce, the flavors cling to the surface, ensuring every bite bursts with seasoning. This method also makes it incredibly versatile — serve it over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps for a refreshing, handheld option.
Why Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Works So Well
The reason this recipe is so universally loved lies in its harmony of flavors and textures. The sweetness, often from sugar or mirin, tames the fiery spice of gochujang and red pepper flakes, creating a flavor profile that excites the palate without overwhelming it. The soy sauce brings a salty umami depth, while the sesame seeds and oil add a toasty complexity that makes the dish feel rich and satisfying.
Texture plays a huge role, too. Shrimp cooks quickly and retains a tender, juicy bite when done right. The quick sear in a hot skillet locks in moisture while allowing the sugars in the marinade to caramelize slightly, giving the exterior a subtle crispness. The final glaze, reduced in the same pan, amplifies the flavors and gives the shrimp their irresistible glossy sheen.
Nutritional Benefits of the Dish
Shrimp is naturally high in protein and low in calories, making this dish an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing flavor. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine, which support thyroid function and overall metabolism. The use of ginger and garlic not only adds depth to the taste but also provides anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits.
By adjusting the recipe slightly, it can be made lighter or spicier to fit dietary needs. For example, low-sodium soy sauce can help reduce salt content, while honey or coconut sugar can replace white sugar for a more natural sweetness. For a fully gluten-free version, tamari can be used in place of soy sauce.
Why This Recipe is a Weeknight Hero
One of the best things about this Sweet and Spicy Shrimp recipe is its speed. From start to finish, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want a home-cooked meal that feels special. The marinade takes just minutes to prepare, and shrimp cook in a flash, meaning you can have dinner on the table faster than most takeout deliveries.
It’s also an incredibly flexible recipe. You can make it ahead by marinating the shrimp earlier in the day, or even prepping batches for meal prep. Pairing it with steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, or even quinoa can turn it into a wholesome, well-rounded dinner that suits different preferences in the household.
The Secret to Getting It Just Right
The magic of this recipe lies in balancing the flavors before cooking. Tasting the marinade before adding it to the shrimp is key — adjust sugar for sweetness, soy for saltiness, or gochujang for spice depending on your preference. Another tip is to avoid overcooking the shrimp. They turn from perfectly tender to rubbery in just a minute or two if left too long in the pan.
When thickening the glaze, patience is important. A slow simmer allows the sauce to reduce and concentrate its flavors without burning the sugars. This step also ensures the glaze clings beautifully to the shrimp instead of running off onto the plate.
Perfect Pairings for Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
While delicious on its own, this dish shines when paired with complementary sides. Steamed jasmine or basmati rice is a classic choice, as it absorbs the flavorful sauce and balances the spice. For a healthier twist, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles work beautifully. You can also serve the shrimp in tacos with shredded cabbage and lime crema for a fun, fusion-style meal.
A crisp cucumber salad, kimchi, or sautéed bok choy can add freshness and contrast to the rich, bold flavors of the shrimp. And if you’re serving it for a special occasion, a chilled glass of Riesling or a light lager can enhance the sweet-spicy balance even further.
Conclusion
This Korean-inspired Sweet and Spicy Shrimp recipe delivers everything you could want from a weeknight dinner — bold flavor, satisfying texture, and minimal cooking time. It’s a dish that works equally well for casual family meals and special gatherings, adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. With its perfect harmony of sweet heat, savory umami, and aromatic sesame, it’s more than just another shrimp dish — it’s a celebration of flavor that you’ll find yourself making again and again.