A Scrumptious Start with Shrimp Teriyaki
The age of foodies, travelers, bloggers, and practically anyone wanting to explore a variety of different cuisines has been steadily on the rise over the past decade. Trying new foods that originated from varying cultures expands the palate and allows us to discover favorite dishes that we may not have previously known about. Specifically, fusion food like shrimp teriyaki is a great starting point for tasting a mild, yet innovative cultural cuisine.
Food provides insight into a culture. Technically speaking, the term teriyaki refers to a Japanese cooking style where the primary protein marinates in the teriyaki flavor and is subsequently grilled to perfection. Teriyaki has evolved into a true Japanese American fusion cuisine.
Teriyaki dishes like shrimp teriyaki are a large part of the Southeast Asian food scene in the United States. There is a blending of flavors seen in teriyaki that can’t be found in every dish offered.
The teriyaki cooking technique was born in Japan, as well as the base foundation for the tangy marinade so many people know and love. A traditional Japanese teriyaki sauce will consist of soy sauce, white sugar, and either Mirin or Sake.
The fusion occurred after the popular marinade spread to the west. Japanese immigrants made their way to the United States via Hawaii during the last half of the 20th century. From there, teriyaki sauce took on a unique twist – pineapple, extra sugar, and varying spices like ginger and garlic were added to transform the traditional flavors into a well-known fusion food.
Teriyaki sauce in its Americanized version contains more spices and local flavors. As the popular teriyaki sauce made its way to the rest of the states, variations of teriyaki entrees began booming. Today, there are many ways to eat teriyaki. Shrimp, pork, and chicken are among the most common proteins used in teriyaki dishes. Substitute tofu for a vegetarian option.
Particularly, teriyaki shrimp stir fry is a great first fusion food dish to try. It incorporates innovative and traditional flavors by marrying them together in the rich teriyaki sauce. The shrimp itself is juicy, tender, and fully immersed in the teriyaki marinade to pack in a delicious, powerful flavor.
You may want to delve into new, delicious cuisines to rave about your friends and family with, or you may simply desire to try a contemporary twist on a classic favorite. Regardless, teriyaki shrimp is among one of the best Asian fusion dishes to start with.
Read further to discover what makes shrimp teriyaki bowls so delicious and how you can get your craving fix at Char’d Southeast Asian Kitchen.
What You Should Know About Shrimp Teriyaki
Maybe you’ve been curious how to make teriyaki shrimp. First let’s explore why shrimp teriyaki is such a popular dish.
Since Japan is technically an island surrounded by the ocean, vegetables and certain kinds of meat, and seafood were primarily what individuals ate. Agriculture has always been an important part of Japanese society. Specifically, protecting the land from livestock overgrazing or mass deforestation was crucial to maintaining a stable way of life.
Seafood has been an integral part of Japanese society for centuries. Common seafood options for Japanese individuals are salmon, trout, mahi-mahi, tuna, shrimp, and much more. Often, fish is seen as an affordable protein that’s accessible and quick to cook.
Shrimp teriyaki is not only incredibly easy to cook, loaded with delicious salty-sweet flavors, but it is also full of healthy ingredients.
Did you know that Wild Gulf Shrimp provides a surprising amount of heart-healthy omega-3s, as well as a generous supply of important minerals? These succulent shrimps are caught in the Gulf of Mexico, peeled, deveined, and frozen with no additives. That makes these juicy, tender shrimps perfect for this recipe.
A really good teriyaki sauce will elevate your dish by enhancing the natural flavors of the shrimp, and vegetables. We like to make our own, but there are a number of fine teriyaki sauces available at your local grocery store.
When cooking at home, you’ll want to first start by deveining the shrimp. It can be a tedious process, but it is necessary for the flavor integrity of your teriyaki stir fry.
You can buy shrimp that are already deveined and peeled to save time. Regardless, making shrimp teriyaki for either a stir fry served with rice or an entrée served with noodles will have you cooking up your tasty shrimp in the same way!
If you choose to make a stir fry, make sure your vegetables are cut, washed, and blanched (if required). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic so the flavors of your vegetables meld well with your teriyaki sauce.
The next step is to cook your shrimp. There are a variety of different methods, but we recommend placing your shrimp in a heated, medium-sized skillet.
Cook the base or carbohydrate of your choosing. Wash, then cook rice on a stove until it reaches its desired consistency. On the other hand, you may choose to heat a pot of water until it boils. Then, place your noodles in the pot and let them cook until soft.
Teriyaki shrimp has bold, robust flavors. You should taste a sweet tang that works in tandem with the savory soy sauce base to bring an expansive set of innovative flavors to your palate. Discovering how to cook your favorite teriyaki shrimp dish can also help you better identify high-quality teriyaki options at Asian restaurants.
One such Asian fusion restaurant is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with multiple locations and is known as Char’d Kitchen.
How to Make Teriyaki Shrimp
Cooking chicken and shrimp teriyaki is a great way to introduce new flavors to your family. A simple teriyaki dish to start with is stir fry shrimp. As stated above, it’s quick, easy, and takes minimal prepping.
Stir-fries have long been a favorite easy weeknight meal. They’re always tasty, they come together quickly, and they are a great way to use up whatever you have lying around in the refrigerator. Teriyaki shrimp stir fry is no exception!
We use a gluten and soy-free teriyaki sauce so that everyone can enjoy this delicious meal any day of the week!
Step 1: Peel and Devein the Shrimp
Unless you bought pre-peeled shrimp, you’ll want to peel and devein the shrimp. To do this, simply pull on the legs of the shrimp to remove the shell and leave the tail intact. Then, cut a thin slit down the middle of the top of the shrimp – where you see the vein. Run the sliced shrimp under cool water and remove the vein with the knife, then set the shrimp aside.
Step 2: Make the Teriyaki Sauce
Now it’s time to make the teriyaki sauce! A good way to make teriyaki sauce is by reducing gluten- and soy-free coconut aminos. You’ll cook the coconut aminos over medium heat until they reduce and become thick and sticky – just like a traditional teriyaki sauce but without the need for sweetener or a thickener like cornstarch! Once the coconut aminos are properly reduced, you’ll stir in rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and fish sauce to give the sauce more complexity.
However, we recommend using soy sauce to get the full experience of flavor – if your dietary restrictions permit it. If not, Char’d Kitchen is a wonderful option for those that require traditional, gluten-free soy sauce. Many Asian restaurants only provide one type of option, but Char’d aims to make its dining experience as inclusive as possible.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
While the teriyaki sauce is reducing, you’ll heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add some ghee or avocado oil, and cook the shrimp. You’ll know the shrimp are done when they start to curl into themselves and change colors from translucent to pale pink.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Next, it’s time to get the veggies cooking! Add them all to the pan you cooked the shrimp in along with a little more ghee or oil, then cook for about 7 minutes, until soft. Once the veggies are cooked, stir in ginger and garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
Step 5: Put It All Together
Finally, it’s time to complete your stir fry! Add the shrimp and teriyaki sauce to the pan with the veggies and toss to combine. Cook for an additional minute, until the sauce is bubbling, then serve! Choose either noodles or rice to serve with.
Raw Shrimp VS. Cooked Shrimp
Raw shrimps are widely enjoyed in some parts of the world. Japanese cuisine has a knack for raw shrimp. They are consumed in some parts of China as well. Seafood is relished in Europe and the rest of the world.
Some people believe that shrimp tastes its best when raw. However, shrimp, like most seafood, harbor a lot of unhealthy bacteria. The primary reason for cooking shrimps and other seafood is to kill the bacteria. Raw shrimp might seem tempting, but be sure to choose sushi-grade shrimp to protect yourself from harmful bacteria.
Cooked shrimps are a delicacy. There are various methods to cook shrimp. Refrigerate, then generously season your shrimps. Keep in mind that shrimp need to be cleaned properly before you cook them. Rub a little salt or dip them in water, add a little salt and vinegar to kill any bacteria.
Raw Shrimp
- Make sure to buy sushi or consumable-grade raw shrimp
- Clean thoroughly before cooking
- Can absorb more flavor due to the rawness
Cooked Shrimp
- Chef-recommended
- Variety of different recipes to try with cooked shrimp. Save recipe
- Make sure to clean devein if it hasn’t already been done
Teriyaki Shrimp Recipe Variations
Teriyaki was part of the first wave of Asian flavors to find a foothold in the United States. Modern trends find teriyaki in all sorts of comfort food, from burgers and meatballs to grain bowls.
If you’re looking to experiment at home check out these shrimp teriyaki recipes
Shrimp Teriyaki with Pineapple
- Marinate the shrimp in the teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice for 10-20 minutes in the fridge.
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Add the shrimp and sauté until cooked, about 2 minutes per side, and set aside.
- Reduce the marinade by half in the pan.
- Add the pureed pineapple and pineapple and heat.
- Remove from heat and mix in the shrimp and sesame oil.
- Garnish with green onion.
Teriyaki Shrimp Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers
- Place the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and honey, and sesame oil in a small pot over medium-high heat.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Turn up the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
- Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until dissolved.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and boil for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Set sauce aside.
- Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the salad vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste
- Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the vegetables have started to brown and soften.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water and cook, until water has evaporated.
- When vegetables are tender, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Wipe out the pan. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in the pan over high heat.
- Place the shrimp in the pan and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until just cooked through (shrimp should be pink and opaque).
- Add the vegetables back to the pan, pour the sauce over the top and cook for 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat until warmed through.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Shrimp Teriyaki Bowl with Quinoa
- You’ll want to start by cooking the quinoa – feel free to do this in the same saucepan.
- Add the thawed shrimp to a skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- While the shrimp is cooking, make the teriyaki sauce by whisking all of the sauce ingredients together. Use soy sauce, Mirin, sugar, a clove of garlic, and ginger. Then, pour the sauce into the skillet and stir until the shrimp is coated in it. Last, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the shrimp
- Add the quinoa to two bowls, then add the shrimp on top. Add the sliced cucumber and avocado, then drizzle the spicy mayo over top.
Teriyaki Shrimp Burger
- Dry shrimp well with a paper towel then place the shrimp in the food processor along with garlic then pulse a few times until almost pasty.
- Combine the shrimp in a large bowl with remaining ingredients and mix well to combine.
- Using rubber gloves (easier with gloves), form shrimp into 8 patties.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour or as long as overnight.
- Heat the grill over medium-high heat and brush the grates with oil.
- Add the shrimp burgers to the heated grill and cook for 6 minutes on each side.
- While the shrimp burgers are cooking, grill the pineapple slices for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- To serve, place a piece of lettuce on the bottom of each burger bun. Top with the cooked burger and 1-1/2 tbsp of teriyaki sauce, then top with grilled pineapple.
Ordering Your Favorite Shrimp Teriyaki Meal Online
Ordering your favorite teriyaki grilled shrimp dish has never been easier! Char’d Kitchen focuses on the quality of ingredients, bold, beautiful flavors, and an excellent experience. With multiple locations in Richardson, Mansfield, and Fort Worth – finding tasty teriyaki near you will be a cinch.
What makes Char’d Kitchen so unique is their attention to bold, beautiful flavors and delivering a food experience so excellent that you’ll leave craving more. Char’d has perfected our gluten-free teriyaki sauce that draws on traditional Japanese flavors with an American twist. The robust spices make every bite delectable. Try out any variation of Char’d Kitchen’s delicious teriyaki bowls with either shrimp, chicken, or pork! See our complete menu for vegetarian options.
When searching “tasty Teriyaki shrimp near me,” Char’d stands out as a new, memorable Asian fusion restaurant. Explore why ordering from Char’d is the best option to satisfy your hungry family!
Authentic Teriyaki Taste
When searching for the best teriyaki place, consider the original taste of the teriyaki meals. Char’d recognizes that the teriyaki flavor is iconic, so they work tirelessly to meet the diner’s expectations. Char’d follows the original Japanese recipes for our homemade teriyaki marinade to provide our guests with a satisfying experience.
High-Quality Ingredients
When you come to a great teriyaki place you want to be sure that they use high-quality ingredients for their meals. While making teriyaki (or any of our meals at Char’d), we only use ingredients of the highest quality.
For our gluten-free teriyaki sauce, Char’d only uses the best soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and add-ons available. Selecting products of the highest quality ensures that teriyaki meals will provide guests with a delicious dish.
Flavorful and Unique
At Char’d Asian Kitchen’s you can be assured that whichever teriyaki dish you order it will be flavorful, balanced, and fresh. Char’d Kitchen is a unique Asian fusion food experience that all people will enjoy!
Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
Not to mention, Char’d Kitchen uses gluten-free soy sauce as a base of their teriyaki marinade. Char’d recognizes that gluten-free options are important and aims to make their menu as inclusive and customizable as possible for customers. It’s never been easier to find delicious teriyaki at a Char’d Kitchen near you. Order now online.