Servings
Font
Back
0 from 6 votes

Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp with Pineapple Basil Salsa

This Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp is sweet, salty and super delicious. The fresh, vibrant Pineapple Basil Salsa comes together quickly!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 247 kcal
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

For the caramel sauce:
  • 2 cups coconut water
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or sambal oelek
For the rub/ spice mixture:
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
For the shrimp:
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 6 medium cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
  • 1 ½ pounds large shrimp peeled and deveined
For the pineapple salsa:
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 ¾ cups diced fresh pineapple
  • 2 mini cucumber ¼-inch dice (about 1 ¼ cups)
  • ½ medium red onion finely diced
  • 2 medium jalapeños seeds and ribs removed, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
For serving:
  • fresh basil leaves
  • Lime wedges
  • jasmine or basmati rice
  • roasted, salted cashews or peanuts optional

Instructions

For the caramel sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine all caramel sauce ingredients in a medium size bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
For the rub:
  1. Combine all rub ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
For the shrimp:
  1. Pat the shrimp dry and spread it out on a plate or pan that has been lined with a sheet of parchment paper. Sprinkle half of the rub evenly over the shrimp then turn each one over and sprinkle the remaining rub on the other side.
  2. In a large nonstick skillet melt the coconut oil over medium heat until nice and hot. Add the shrimp and spread out to a single layer. Cook for 1-1 ½ minutes or until just beginning to curl, then flip to the other side and cook for another minute until pink all over. Remove the shrimp from the pan to a clean plate.
  3. Add the 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and cook over medium low heat until melted. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently. Then add the reserved caramel sauce and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thickened and syrupy. Turn off the heat and add the shrimp, stirring gently to coat the shrimp with the caramel mixture. Serve with jasmine or basmati rice and the pineapple basil salsa.
For the pineapple salsa:
  1. While the sauce is simmering, prepare the salsa by combining the lime juice and honey in a medium size bowl. Stir to combine then add remaining salsa ingredients and stir gently. Taste add additional lime juice or honey if preferred.
For serving:
  1. Serve with jasmine or basmati rice, ramen or rice noodles, lime wedges and a generous scatter of fresh basil, either Thai basil (preferred) or regular sweet basil. For a unique twist, it’s also delicious over polenta!
  2. Sometimes we also add a scatter of salted peanuts or cashews for a crunchy topping, so good!

Notes

  • See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
  • If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.

Nutrition Information

Calories 247kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 148mg (49%) Sodium 1940mg (81%) Potassium 487mg (14%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 21g (42%) Vitamin A 509IU (10%) Vitamin C 34mg (38%) Calcium 113mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 247

% Daily Value*

Calories 247kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 148mg 49%
Sodium 1940mg 81%
Potassium 487mg 10%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 21g 42%
Vitamin A 509IU 10%
Vitamin C 34mg 38%
Calcium 113mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Report Abuse
Login to Continue
Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Register