Lemon Shrimp Oriental
Lemon Shrimp Oriental is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines succulent shrimp with a medley of fresh vegetables, all coated in a tangy lemon sauce. The dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a delightful weekend gathering, offering a taste of Asian-inspired cuisine that's sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb. shrimp in shells ⓘ
- 1 c. water
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules ⓘ
- 1/4 c. sliced green onions
- 1 (6 oz.) pkg. frozen pea pods, thawed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel ⓘ
- 3 to 4 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 2 c. sliced fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 3 stalks celery, bias sliced ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper, cut in strips ⓘ
- hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Thaw shrimp, if frozen, and drain well.
- Peel and devein shrimp.
- For sauce, stir together water, cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, bouillon granules, lemon peel, lemon juice, and pepper. Set aside.
- Preheat a wok or large skillet over high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the oil.
- Add mushrooms, celery, and green pepper; stir-fry for 3 minutes.
- Add green onions and stir-fry for 1 minute more.
- Remove vegetables from wok.
- Add remaining oil.
- Add half of shrimp to hot wok.
- Stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.
- Remove and stir-fry remaining shrimp.
- Return shrimp to wok.
- Push from center.
- Stir sauce.
- Add to center of the wok. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
- Add vegetables and pea pods.
- Stir to coat mixture with sauce.
- Cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Serve over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, use pre-peeled and deveined shrimp. You can substitute shrimp with chicken or tofu for a different protein option. If you prefer a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha to the sauce. Fresh vegetables can be swapped with any stir-fry mix, but avoid overcooking them to maintain their crunch, similar to what you’d do in a Simple Stir-Fry.
Serving Suggestions
This Lemon Shrimp Oriental dish pairs beautifully with hot cooked rice, which helps soak up the flavorful sauce. For a complete meal, consider serving with a side of steamed broccoli or a light salad. You can also incorporate elements from Chicken Fried Rice as an alternative side dish to complement the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to maintain moisture and prevent it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Lemon Shrimp Oriental contains roughly 979 calories, with 21g protein, 131g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (100% of the Daily Value), protein (42% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1760mg per serving (77% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add heat, consider incorporating fresh sliced chilies or a teaspoon of chili paste into the sauce. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes during the stir-frying process for a more gradual spice level that complements the lemon flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).