Healthy, Natural Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Chinese Food Cravings

I love sweet and sour anything. I have guilty pleasures eating in our favorite Chinese restaurants or takeout food once in a while when time or energy is low to cook at home. While Chinese takeout satisfies cravings, it often comes at a price: overly oily, salty, goopy sweet or drowned in sauces that have MSG or artificial additives. Unhealthy restaurant versions are also often thickly battered and deep-fried, an Americanized departure from the traditional dish. We get frequent questions in our cooking classes on how to cook Chinese at home with less effort and not sacrifice nutrition. “How do I make tasty Asian dishes at home but healthier than takeout?” and “I love Asian food, but don’t have time to cook or spend so much time chopping and shopping.”

Home-Chef Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe, Less Chopping, Shopping

Here’s what we do at home: an easy, scrumptious, healthy spin on Sweet and Sour Shrimp that is versatile, too e.g. can include vegetables (peppers are a delicious match and attractive for this dish) or not; enjoyed hot or cold, peeled or unpeeled shrimp, like Shrimp Cocktail and cole slaw; and be served as an appetizer or entree over rice, wholesome grains or noodles.

This version is high in flavor but lower in sodium, fat, sugar and the sauce is natural, soy free, gluten free and MSG free. (You can always add your own salt and hot sauce to taste. That’s the easy part.)

 

Delicious, natural variations, try it with Chicken, too!

Soy Ginger Shrimp/Chicken: 1/2 cup You Saucy Thing soy ginger Vidalia

Asian BBQ Shrimp/Chicken: 1/4 cup You Saucy Thing soy ginger Vidalia + 1/4 cup Wild Wild East Teriyaki

Teriyaki Shrimp/Chicken: 1/2 cup Wild Wild East Teriyaki Pineapple

General Tso’s Shrimp/Chicken: 1/4 cup My Sweet Hottie + 1/2 cup Wild Wild East Teriyaki Pineapple

 

Peeled or Unpeeled Shrimp?

Traditionally, my family cooks and eats shrimp whole and unpeeled to retain maximum flavor and moisture. And we’re trained as kids to eat and suck whole shrimp (like whole fish with bones) in our mouths with less messiness on the hands. That’s definitely more work so it’s your preference, peeled or unpeeled shrimp.

We try to support sustainable or local fisheries when possible like Georgia wild-caught shrimp. Check out Marine Stewardship Council resources on how you can help as a consumer or business.

Stock up on our natural, family “recipes in a bottle” sauces to enjoy fast, natural dishes at home (or jazz up plain, fast food/deli sandwiches, wraps and salads–instantly!)