Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Sweet, garlicky, and buttery Hawaiian garlic shrimp cooked island style and served over hot rice, ready in under 30 minutes for the ultimate shrimp truck experience at home.
The Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Classic You Can Make at Home
If you have ever visited the North Shore of Oahu, chances are you have stood in line at one of the famous shrimp trucks, watching plump garlic shrimp sizzle in a pool of golden butter. This Hawaiian garlic shrimp recipe brings that exact experience straight to your kitchen. It is a true Hawaiian seafood meal, built on simple ingredients, big garlic flavor, and a buttery pan sauce that soaks perfectly into steamed rice.
Whether you know it as Hawaiian garlic butter prawns, Hawaii shrimp, or just "that shrimp truck plate," this version delivers the same craveable combination of crispy edges, garlicky butter, and a bright hit of lemon. It comes together in under 30 minutes, which makes it an easy weeknight favorite as much as it is a weekend treat.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A heavy bottomed skillet helps the garlic toast evenly without scorching, and fresh garlic and good butter are truly non negotiable for that signature shrimp truck flavor. These are the products that genuinely help this recipe shine:
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of Hawaiian garlic shrimp lies in a few key techniques borrowed directly from the shrimp trucks themselves.
- A light flour dredge gives the shrimp a delicate golden crust that helps the garlic butter cling to every bite.
- A mountain of garlic, twelve cloves to be exact, is what separates this from an ordinary shrimp scampi.
- A quick pan sauce built from butter, broth, and lemon juice ties everything together without weighing the dish down.
Chef's Tip: Do not rush the garlic. Cook it just until fragrant and lightly golden. Burnt garlic turns bitter fast and can throw off the whole dish, so keep the heat at medium high and stir constantly.
A Few Notes on Ingredients
This is not a Hawaiian garlic shrimp scampi in the traditional Italian sense, but it borrows the same beloved garlic and butter base while leaning into island style seasoning like paprika and a touch of cayenne. If you love a Cajun style shrimp and rice plate, you will notice some familiar flavor DNA here too, just with a distinctly tropical, buttery finish.
For the best Hawaiian garlic shrimp recipe results, use large or jumbo shrimp with the tails left on. Shell-on shrimp, if you are feeling adventurous, actually gives you even more flavor since the shells add richness to the butter as they cook, just like the food trucks do it.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step by step recipe:
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Sweet, garlicky, and buttery Hawaiian garlic shrimp cooked island style and served over hot rice, ready in under 30 minutes for the ultimate shrimp truck experience at home.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on, shell-on optional for extra flavor
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 12 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for a light dredge
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional, for a little heat
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, or dry white wine
- 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 4 cups cooked white rice, steamed, for serving
Instruction
Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, toss the shrimp with flour, paprika, cayenne, and a pinch of salt until lightly coated.
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium high heat.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant, stirring constantly so it does not burn.
Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan.
Remove the shrimp to a plate and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, the chicken broth, and lemon juice to the pan.
Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the sauce slightly thickens.
Return the shrimp to the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Scoop hot steamed rice onto plates, top with shrimp and sauce, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Equipment
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Shallow dish for dredging
- Tongs
- Cutting board and knife
Notes
How to Serve Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Traditionally, this dish is served as a plate lunch, meaning a generous scoop of white rice, often alongside a scoop of macaroni salad. For an easy weeknight version, simply spoon the shrimp and all that garlicky pan sauce directly over hot steamed rice. The rice soaks up the butter beautifully, turning this into a true Hawaiian garlic shrimp with rice experience in every bite.
Want to lighten things up? Serve it over coconut rice for a coco shrimp rice recipe twist, or pile it onto a bed of greens for a lower carb option. A squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of parsley right before serving keeps everything bright and fresh.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Shrimp are delicate, so leftovers are best enjoyed within a couple of days. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small pat of butter to revive the sauce. Avoid microwaving on high power, since it can quickly overcook the shrimp and make them rubbery.
If you are meal prepping, consider keeping the rice and shrimp in separate containers so each reheats evenly. A quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice after reheating helps wake the flavors back up.
Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian garlic shrimp recipe captures everything people love about the island's beloved shrimp trucks: bold garlic, rich butter, and shrimp cooked to juicy perfection. It is fast enough for a Tuesday night dinner yet special enough to serve to guests. Once you try it, do not be surprised if it becomes a regular request at your table.
