Kung Pao Shrimp
Shrimp stir-fried with peanuts, chilli, and Sichuan pepper.
Ingredients
- 400 g Shrimp
- 60 g Peanuts
- 6 Dried chilies
- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorn
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 3 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 3 Scallions (optional)
Method
- Peel the shrimp; mince the garlic and slice the scallions.
- Whisk the soy, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch into a smooth sauce.
- Heat the oil in a wok over high heat and fry the dried chili and Sichuan pepper until fragrant, then add the shrimp and stir-fry until pink and just cooked.
- Add the garlic, the sauce, and the peanuts and toss until glossy.
- Scatter the scallions over and serve with rice.
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About Kung Pao Shrimp
Kung Pao shrimp is a seafood spin on the famous Sichuan stir-fry, keeping the same aromatic framework — dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorn, peanuts, and a sweet-sour-savory sauce — but swapping in shrimp for chicken. The shrimp cook in a fraction of the time, which makes this the quicker sibling of the dish and a genuinely twenty-minute dinner. The peppercorns deliver the characteristic numbing tingle, the dried chilies add fragrant heat, and the sauce of soy, Chinkiang black vinegar, and sugar ties it into the sweet-sour-hot balance that defines the Kung Pao style.
Speed is everything with shrimp, and this method respects that: the chilies and Sichuan pepper are bloomed in hot oil first to perfume it, then the shrimp go in and cook only until pink and just firm before the sauce and peanuts are tossed through to glaze. Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery, so the short, high-heat toss is the point. You get plump, snappy shrimp against crunchy peanuts, all coated in a glossy, tangy sauce. Scatter the scallions over at the end and serve with rice for a fast weeknight meal that eats like takeout.
Kung Pao Shrimp: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Kung Pao Shrimp?
A serving has about 636 calories — 50.9g protein, 31.3g carbs, 35.3g fat, 6.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is it high in protein?
Each serving has about 50.9g of protein, roughly 32% of its calories.
Is Kung Pao Shrimp gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Kung Pao Shrimp?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out scallions — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Kung Pao Shrimp make?
This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.