Shrimp With Lobster Sauce

4.43 from 123 votes
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Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is a Chinese-American favorite that's surprisingly easy to whip up at home. My easy recipe has juicy shrimp swimming in a rich, savory sauce —perfect for any night of the week.

Easy shrimp with lobster sauce served in a bowl.
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What Is Shrimp With Lobster Sauce

Shrimp in lobster sauce is a tasty Chinese-American dish. One thing I need to clarify is that no actual lobster is used in this dish.

This dish is loaded with juicy shrimp in a rich, savory sauce made with garlic and ginger. The sauce is thickened with corn starch and include eggs to give it a silky texture. I think whoever invented the dish is a smart marketing whiz, as it sounds so much more delicious with the word “lobster” in its name.


Best Recipe For Shrimp In Lobster Sauce

Restaurant style shrimp in lobster sauce.

I’ve received a few requests from my readers on how to prepare this dish.

Shrimp is always a great dish to serve, as the Cantonese pronunciation of 虾 (xiā) sounds like 哈 (hā), which means laughter or happiness.

So, here I share with you my easy shrimp with lobster sauce recipe, perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year, any other holiday, or whenever you’re craving this dish. With just 10 minutes of prep time, four simple steps, and basic ingredients, you’ll be able to make it at home—better and healthier than takeout.


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make. It’s beginner-friendly with just four simple steps and basic ingredients, making this recipe foolproof for anyone making it.
  • Quick preparation. With just 10 minutes of prep time, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Better than takeout. Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier option without sacrificing flavor or quality compared to restaurant versions.
  • Budget-friendly. Making this dish at home helps you save money because you can decide how much to spend on ingredients and how big each serving should be, which means you get more for your money compared to eating out.

Shrimp In Lobster Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients for shrimp with lobster sauce.
  • Shrimp – For this recipe, use jumbo-sized shrimp for best texture and flavor.
  • Chicken broth – Gives a flavorful base for the sauce.
  • Corn starch – Makes the sauce thick and smooth so it coats the shrimp nicely.
  • Egg white – Gives the sauce a silky texture, making it richer and tastier.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.


How To Make Shrimp With Lobster Sauce

Cooking shrimp in a pan.

Step 1. Lightly season the shrimp with salt and sugar to taste. In a wok, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the ginger and garlic, stirring until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until half-cooked or the surface turns opaque. Pour in the chicken broth and Shaoxing wine. Bring to a boil.

Adding frozen vegetables to the pan with shrimp.

Step 2. Add the frozen vegetables and stir to combine. Season with white pepper, soy sauce, salt, and sugar to taste.

Adding cornstarch mixture to the shrimp.

Step 3. Prepare the corn starch mixture by adding the corn starch to water and mix well. Once the chicken broth is boiling, gently pour in the corn starch mixture while stirring.

Adding egg white mixture to the shrimp.

Step 4. Bring it back to a boil, then swirl in the beaten egg and immediately stir 3 times with a pair of chopsticks. When the egg white begins to form into silken threads, quickly turn off the heat.


Helpful Tips For Home Cooks

  • Use fresh shrimp as they have better texture and flavor compared to frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them properly before cooking.
  • When adding corn starch to thicken the sauce, mix it with cold water first to avoid clumping, then add it gradually while stirring constantly.
  • Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque to prevent them from becoming tough and rubbery.
  • Slowly pour the egg whites into the hot wok, stirring gently and continuously in a circular motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shrimp in lobster sauce healthy?

It’s low in calories and high in protein from shrimp. To make it healthier, use low-sodium soy sauce and broth

Can I use frozen shrimp for this dish?

Fresh shrimp is recommended for better texture and flavor, but thawed frozen shrimp can be used for convenience.

Can I use other types of seafood instead of shrimp?

Yes, you can substitute shrimp with other seafood such as scallops, crab meat, or even fish fillets. Adjust cooking times accordingly based on the type of seafood used.

What should I do if my sauce is too thick or thin?

If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth or water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, mix a little cornstarch with water and slowly add it while stirring until it thickens to your liking.

What is the best way to store the leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

How many calories per serving?

This recipe is only 173 calories per serving.

Shrimp with peas and carrots with lobster sauce on a spoon.

What To Serve With This Recipe

For a festive Chinese feast, I recommend the following recipes:

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for new updates.


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4.43 from 123 votes

Shrimp With Lobster Sauce

Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is a Chinese-American favorite that's surprisingly easy to whip up at home. My easy recipe has juicy shrimp swimming in a rich, savory sauce —perfect for any night of the week.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients  

  • 12 oz (350g) raw large shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • salt and sugar , to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1- inch ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine , Shaoxing wine
  • 3/4 cup store-bought frozen vegetables , peas and carrots
  • 3 dashes white pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten

Instructions 

  • Lightly season the shrimp with salt and sugar to taste. In a wok, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the ginger and garlic, stirring until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until half-cooked or the surface turns opaque. Pour in the chicken broth and Shaoxing wine. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the frozen vegetables and stir to combine. Season with white pepper, soy sauce, salt, and sugar to taste.
  • Prepare the corn starch mixture by adding the corn starch to water and mix well. Once the chicken broth is boiling, gently pour in the corn starch mixture while stirring.
  • Bring it back to a boil, then swirl in the beaten egg and immediately stir 3 times with a pair of chopsticks. When the egg white begins to form into silken threads, quickly turn off the heat.

Video

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp as they have better texture and flavor compared to frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them properly before cooking.
  • When adding corn starch to thicken the sauce, mix it with cold water first to avoid clumping, then add it gradually while stirring constantly.
  • Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque to prevent them from becoming tough and rubbery.
  • Slowly pour the egg whites into the hot wok, stirring gently and continuously in a circular motion.

Nutrition

Serving: 4people, Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 654mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Please rate and comment below!

About Rasa Malaysia

Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.

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Recipe Rating





105 Comments

  1. AKB says:

    5 stars
    This as an excellant dish! It was so easy to prepare. Can this be frozen without the rice?

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Thank you! I don’t recommend freezing it as the shrimp will possibly turn to rubber and the sauce is not made to freeze.

  2. AKB says:

    Can this be frozen?

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      No, this recipe is not made to freeze as the Shirmp may turn to rubber and the sauce will not freeze well.

  3. lee says:

    I follow Rasa and her wonderful recipes. This shrimp dish takes less than 15 mins from wok/skillet to table. I serve it with white rice, boom Done! I did add alil siracha this time for a tiny kick. It’s a great way to learn asian, the easy way! TY Rasa!

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Thanks Lee for trying my recipe!

    2. Patricia says:

      I can’t wait to make this. Sooo darn easy an delicious and healthy. Thank you!!!!

  4. R.J says:

    4 stars
    I find that there is not enough liquid in the recipe, so I changed it to 1 1/2 cups and 3 tbs corn starch to get the thick consistency. Also, sautéing the garlic and ginger for 2 minutes causes it to be burnt. Sauté until soft. Otherwise, this recipe was delicious and easy to make. I will definitely make it again with those changes.

  5. Gary Flanigan says:

    It is called Lobster Sauce because the sauce is from the dish Lobster Cantonese. It is now much more commonly made with shrimp.

  6. Debi says:

    I’ve just prepped this only using fresh snow peas. I’ve used more soy and sherry and may add more broth. I know I’ll like this. My purpose for writing is that there is no option for picture when printing. I like all my recipes to have photos. Easier to find. Please consider adding option for photo. Thx.

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Hi Debi thanks. Many people complain about printing photos and wasting papers so I disable the option to print with pictures. Sorry.

      1. Debi says:

        Raisa: But, with option, those who don’t want pic don’t click box at picture option and those who do want a pic, click. Everyone’s happy! ?
        BTW-recipe was delicious! I didn’t like how the egg white turned out though as looked like curdled milk. Some use whole egg. What’s the reason?
        Debi

        1. Bee Yinn Low says:

          Thanks Debi, good idea but it will take some time to develop the feature!

          1. Debi says:

            Oh sorry, Raisa. Didn’t realize it was a difficult change. I understand how it can be challenging to update websites.

            Take care.

            1. Bee Yinn Low says:

              Thanks for your understanding.

  7. Cynthia Delleu says:

    Looks delicious and easy will try this week.

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      ?

  8. Sonia Oyola says:

    I have to try this .it sounds delicious.

    1. Mary says:

      Where is the lobster?

      1. Rasa Malaysia says:

        There is no lobster in this recipe. The sauce is called lobster sauce somehow.

  9. Iantha says:

    This was so easy and delicious! My family devoured it! Thank you

  10. Laura says:

    I just made this tonight! It was FABULOUS!!!! I didn’t have frozen peas and carrots, so I used fresh snow peas, and it tasted so good! Thank you so much for this very easy and delicious recipe. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is my absolute favorite Chinese dish. I will definitely be making it again! :)

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Awesome!