Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

If you love seafood that bursts with flavor and a touch of indulgence, the Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These bite-sized shrimp balls are succulent, tender, and perfectly seasoned, then bathed in a rich, fragrant garlic butter sauce that elevates every morsel. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or just craving something special midweek, this dish offers a flavorful journey with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. It’s the perfect way to bring a bit of elegance and warmth to your table in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun with this recipe. Each one plays a crucial role, combining to create the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and color that makes these shrimp balls so irresistible.

• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, finely chopped: The star of the dish, giving you that fresh, oceanic taste and tender texture.
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs: Adds light crispness to the shrimp balls without weighing them down.
• 1 large egg: Binds the mixture together to hold your shrimp balls perfectly.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the shrimp mixture with a subtle, savory aroma.
• 2 green onions, finely chopped: Brings a mild freshness and a bit of color to each bite.
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Adds umami depth and a touch of saltiness.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Helps firm up the shrimp balls for easier cooking and better texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the natural flavors.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Offers a gentle heat and spice without overpowering.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying): Ensures a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: The base of that luscious garlic butter sauce that coats every shrimp ball beautifully.
• 4 more cloves garlic, minced (for sauce): Provides that bold, irresistible garlic punch in the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Adds brightness and a subtle tang, balancing the rich butter.
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley: A fresh, herbaceous garnish to finish the dish with color and flavor.

How to Make Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Mixture

Start by combining your finely chopped shrimp with panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, green onions, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix everything thoroughly until well incorporated. This step is the foundation of your shrimp balls, ensuring they stay tender yet firm, while the seasonings sneak in delicious layers of flavor.

Step 2: Form the Shrimp Balls

Using your hands or a small scoop, form the shrimp mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. It’s a lovely hands-on step that lets you gauge the texture and size, so each shrimp ball cooks evenly and fits perfectly on a fork or toothpick.

Step 3: Fry Until Golden

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and carefully add the shrimp balls in batches to avoid crowding. Fry them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. This quick frying seals in their moisture and gives you that delightful crispy outside that contrasts beautifully with the juicy interior.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the shrimp balls are cooked and removed from the skillet, reduce the heat to low and melt unsalted butter in the same pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn but becomes fragrant and soft. Stir in the lemon juice for a fresh zing that cuts through the richness.

Step 5: Coat the Shrimp Balls

Return the shrimp balls to the pan and gently toss them in the warm garlic butter sauce until fully coated. This step ties the dish together, enriching every bite with buttery, garlicky goodness that will have you reaching for seconds.

How to Serve Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley sprinkled on top adds a burst of green and a mild herbal flavor that complements the rich garlic butter sauce beautifully. For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Side Dishes

These shrimp balls pair wonderfully with fluffy white rice or a simple jasmine rice to soak up the garlic butter sauce. You can also serve them alongside steamed or roasted vegetables for a light, balanced plate. Crisp, refreshing salads with citrusy dressings also make fantastic companions to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this recipe into a stunning appetizer by serving the shrimp balls on skewers or toothpicks, ideal for parties or casual gatherings. Alternatively, arrange them over a bed of garlic butter rice or nestle them on a platter garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for a show-stopping presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover shrimp balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s best to keep the garlic butter sauce separate and reheat them together later to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Freezing

Feel free to freeze uncooked shrimp balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once solid. They can be frozen for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, cook straight from frozen, just adding a few extra minutes to the frying time.

Reheating

Reheat the shrimp balls gently in a skillet over low heat and add fresh butter and garlic to refresh the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can toughen the shrimp balls and diminish the buttery sauce’s aroma.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before chopping to prevent excess moisture, which can affect the texture of the shrimp balls.

How spicy is the Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe?

The recipe as written is mild with a warm garlic kick, but you can easily customize the heat by adding red pepper flakes to the sauce to suit your taste.

Can I bake instead of frying the shrimp balls?

If you prefer a lighter option, you can bake the shrimp balls at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through until golden, though frying gives the best crispiness.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It’s almost gluten-free, but traditional panko breadcrumbs contain gluten. Swap with gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets.

Can I prepare the shrimp balls mixture in advance?

Yes! You can mix and form the shrimp balls a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until ready to cook. This makes it perfect for planning ahead during busier days or meal prepping.

Final Thoughts

This Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe is an absolute showstopper that brings comforting garlic flavors together with tender shrimp in every bite. It’s wonderfully straightforward yet impressive enough to serve for any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again—trust me, it’s that good!

Shrimp Balls in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.2 from 56 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Pescatarian

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Description

Delicious and easy-to-make shrimp balls cooked in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce, perfect as an appetizer or main dish. These Asian-inspired shrimp balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, enhanced by aromatic garlic and fresh parsley.

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Ingredients

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Shrimp Balls

• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp mixture: In a bowl, combine the finely chopped shrimp, panko breadcrumbs, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, green onions, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Then, shape the mixture into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter.
2. Cook the shrimp balls: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp balls in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they become golden brown and are cooked through. Remove the cooked shrimp balls from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
3. Make the garlic butter sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to low, add the unsalted butter, and melt it gently. Stir in the remaining 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant but not browned. Add the lemon juice and mix well.
4. Toss shrimp balls in sauce: Return the cooked shrimp balls to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat each shrimp ball evenly in the sauce, warming them up and blending flavors together for another minute or so.
5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the shrimp balls as a fresh garnish. Serve warm, optionally with toothpicks for an appetizer or over rice as a main dish.

Notes

• For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce during step 3.
• These shrimp balls make an excellent appetizer served with toothpicks or can be enjoyed as a main dish over steamed rice.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired