> Skip to content

Recipe  •  19 May 2022

 

Sticky, Spicy Basil Shrimp

I developed a habit of eating the entire shrimp when I was a kid.

I don’t mean sucking on the heads. I put whole shrimp in my mouth, shell and everything, and let my body absorb it. If that’s too much for you, tear these shrimp apart, lick your fingers, and get messy with someone you love who’ll never judge you. Don’t even bring out the cutlery. Remove the head, slurp away, and get that concentrated sweet shrimp flavor. Then eat the body.

This intensely garlicky, spicy, and sweet marinade will truly make anything delicious. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the grill. Pork chops. Smothered on cauliflower and roasted. But it’s particularly good with shrimp, the sweetest meat you can have. Shrimp can take this sticky-spicy sauce like a champ. The marinade is aggressive but, when it cooks down in the hot pan, it mellows the raw flavor of the garlic and chile. Have plenty of beer on ice when you serve this one.

Serves 4

  • 4 Fresno chiles, coarsely chopped
  • 8 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed), plus 2 tablespoons
  • 2 pounds head-on (flavor!), shell-on shrimp (or prawns)
  • 3 cups basil leaves
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Sliced cucumbers for serving

In a blender, combine the chiles, garlic, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, salt, and ¼ cup neutral oil and blend until very smooth. Pour this marinade into a medium bowl and add the shrimp. Give the shrimp a toss and let them sit in the marinade for 15 minutes.

In a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons neutral oil. When the oil feels hot and you just start to see a wisp of smoke, use tongs to arrange the shrimp in the skillet, discarding the excess marinade. Cook the shrimp until lightly charred around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook on the second side until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the basil, and toss vigorously until the basil is wilted and your mouth begins to salivate.

Hungry for more recipes? Sign up to our foodie email here.

Feature Title

The Cook You Want to Be
Be a better cook with flavour-forward everyday recipes and easy-to-understand techniques. This cookbook is for buyers of Ottolenghi Simple, Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and Molly Baz's Cook This Book.
Read more

More features

See all recipes
Recipe
Halloumi with Lemony Honey and Sesame Salt

Fried cheese is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and having experienced many of them, I feel confident saying so.

Recipe
Buttery Beef and Peanut Stir-Fry

I get these intense cravings for stir-fries. Whether it’s the hottest humid night or a blistering cold day, a stir-fry energizes me in a way that few dishes can. This one is on regular rotation in my home kitchen.

Recipe
Super-soft courgettes with harissa and lemon

A courgette recipe that will convert even the most courgette-iffy eaters.

Recipe
Plant-based pho

Try your hand at this delicious recipe from Sahara Rose Ketabi.

Recipe
Sesame ginger miso bowl

Perfect for summer, enjoy this quick and delicious recipe from Sahara Rose Katabi.

Recipe
Baked orzo with mozzarella and oregano

A luxurious take on the pasta bake.

Recipe
Turmeric fried eggs with tamarind dressing

A simple but delicious egg recipe that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Recipe
Jenny's famous mince pies from Ranger's Apprentice

Learn how to make the mince pies that Jenny brings to the Harvest Day picnic with her fellow apprentices.

Recipe
Zucchini Noodles with Thai Pesto

A great make-ahead lunch or picnic dish.

Recipe
Honey orange traycake

Almonds, vanilla, yoghurt & a kiss of rose water

Recipe
The Best-Ever Chocolate Brownies

These are the perfect gooey, chocolatey addition to any sleepover (or afternoon tea!)

Recipe
Poached wagyu beef short-rib with coriander and horseradish relish

A delectable summer recipe from The Agrarian Kitchen.

Looking for more recipes?

See all recipes