Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe

You know those moments when you taste something so incredible that it instantly transports you somewhere else? That's exactly what happened to me the first time I tried authentic Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp on the North Shore of Oahu.

I was visiting Hawaii with John and the kids a few summers ago, and we stumbled upon one of those famous shrimp trucks everyone talks about. Amy took one bite and declared it "the best thing ever," while Bradley actually put down his phone to focus on eating - now that's saying something!

Ever since that trip, I've been determined to recreate that magical taste at home in our Nashville kitchen. After countless attempts and a lot of trial and error (plus some very patient family taste-testing), I finally cracked the code to making restaurant-quality Hawaiian garlic shrimp that rivals anything you'd find on the islands.

This buttery, garlicky masterpiece features succulent shrimp coated in a crispy rice flour coating and bathed in the most incredible garlic butter sauce. It's comfort food at its finest - simple ingredients that come together to create something truly special. If you're looking for something equally satisfying, you'll love my Tuscan Chicken Recipe that brings that same kind of restaurant magic to your dinner table.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe
• Ingredients for the Best Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
• How to Make Perfect Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
• Storage and Reheating Your Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
• Tips for the Best Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Results
• Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaiian Garlic Shrim
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts on This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe
• Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe - Buttery Island-Style Perfection

Why You Will Like This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe

• Quick and easy weeknight dinner - Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish
• Restaurant-quality flavor at home - Tastes just like the famous Hawaiian shrimp trucks
• Kid and family approved - Even picky eaters can't resist this buttery garlic goodness
• Perfect crispy texture - Rice flour coating creates an amazing crispy shell that holds the sauce
• Simple ingredients - Uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand
• Great for entertaining - Makes an impressive appetizer or main dish for guests

Ingredients for the Best Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb shrimp, deveined (shell-on or peeled - your choice!)
• 2 tablespoons glutinous rice flour (sweet rice flour) or all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1½ teaspoons salt

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup garlic, minced (about 2 whole heads - yes, really!)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced for garnish

The secret to authentic Hawaiian garlic shrimp is using an absolutely ridiculous amount of garlic - don't be tempted to cut back! I learned this the hard way during my first few attempts when I thought "surely they don't mean THAT much garlic." Trust me, they do, and it's glorious.

How to Make Perfect Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Prep the Shrimp

1. Wash and devein the shrimp thoroughly. You can leave the shells on for more authentic shrimp truck style, or peel them if you prefer easier eating. I usually leave them on because the shells add so much flavor and that's how they do it in Hawaii.
2. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial - any excess moisture will make your flour coating clump up instead of creating that perfect crispy shell we're after.

Create the Crispy Coating

3. Mix your dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the rice flour (or all-purpose flour), paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. The rice flour is what gives you that signature crispy texture, but regular flour works great too.
4. Coat each piece of shrimp evenly in the flour mixture. I like to do this one at a time to make sure every shrimp gets properly coated. Set the coated shrimp aside on a plate.

Make the Garlic Butter Magic

5. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once it's melted, add all that beautiful minced garlic. Don't be shy about it!
6. Cook the garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. This is where you need to pay attention - garlic can go from perfect to burned in seconds. You want it just golden brown around the edges.
7. Remove from heat immediately and set the garlic butter aside. We'll add this back later to coat our perfectly cooked shrimp.

Cook the Shrimp to Perfection

8. Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is nice and hot before adding the shrimp.
9. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pan - work in batches if needed, adding a bit more oil with each batch.
10. Watch for doneness by checking that the thickest part of the shrimp turns from translucent to opaque. The shrimp should be pink and golden crispy on the outside.

Bring It All Together

11. Turn off the heat and immediately pour that gorgeous garlic butter back into the skillet with the shrimp. Toss everything together so every piece gets coated in that buttery goodness.
12. Finish with fresh lemon juice and garnish with minced parsley. The lemon brightens everything up and balances all that rich butter perfectly.

Storage and Reheating Your Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Store any leftover Hawaiian garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The best way to reheat is in a skillet over medium-low heat, just until warmed through. You can also reheat in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel, but the skillet method keeps that crispy texture better.

Honestly though, this rarely lasts more than one meal in our house. John has been known to sneak cold leftover shrimp straight from the fridge the next morning - not that I'm judging!

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Results

• Don't skip drying the shrimp - This is the most important step for getting that crispy coating to stick properly
• Use real butter, not margarine - The butter is what makes this dish special, so don't skimp on quality here
• Cook in batches if needed - Overcrowding the pan will steam the shrimp instead of giving you that perfect crispy sear
• Keep an eye on that garlic - It can burn quickly and turn bitter, so watch it carefully and remove from heat as soon as it's golden
• Serve immediately - This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh when the coating is still crispy

Have you ever noticed how some dishes just taste better when you eat them right away? This is definitely one of those recipes where the magic happens in those first few minutes after cooking.

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe Variations

Spicier Version: Add an extra ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or throw in some red pepper flakes with the garlic

Herb Butter Style: Mix in some chopped fresh thyme or oregano with the parsley for extra flavor depth

Coconut Twist: Add a tablespoon of coconut milk to the garlic butter for a subtle tropical flavor

Extra Crispy: Double-coat the shrimp by dipping in beaten egg after the flour mixture, then coating again

The beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it is. Bradley loves extra spicy food, so I sometimes make half the batch with extra cayenne just for him. Amy prefers the classic version, and John... well, he's happy with whatever version appears on his plate!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaiian Garlic Shrim

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed this Hawaiian garlic shrimp, you'll also love these flavorful family favorites:

• Chinese Beef and Broccoli - Another Asian-inspired dish that's perfect for busy weeknights
• Mongolian Beef - Sweet and savory flavors that the whole family will devour
• Tuscan Chicken Recipe - Rich, creamy comfort food that's restaurant-quality at home

Final Thoughts on This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe

This Hawaiian garlic shrimp has become one of our most requested family dinners, and I totally understand why. There's something so satisfying about that combination of crispy, buttery, garlicky flavors that just makes everyone happy.

Every time I make this, I'm transported back to that sunny afternoon on the North Shore with my family, watching the waves crash while we devoured the most amazing shrimp we'd ever tasted. Now we can have that same experience right here in Nashville whenever we want.

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! I'd love to hear about your own Hawaiian garlic shrimp adventures. Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it again when that craving hits.

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