Easy Shrimp Boats Recipe with Garlic-Chili Butter for a Stunning Meal
These Shrimp Boats with Garlic-Chili Butter are a stunning way to serve shrimp. Delicately placed over nests of vermicelli noodles, each shrimp is infused with a fragrant garlic-chili butter sauce and then steamed to perfection. This dish is quick to prepare and packed with savory, spicy, and umami flavors, making it perfect for a light but satisfying meal.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.
- Bold Flavors: A balance of garlic, spice, umami, and a touch of sweetness.
- Light Yet Satisfying: The delicate noodles and shrimp make for a filling meal without being heavy.
- Elegant Presentation: Perfect for entertaining or a special meal at home.
Ingredients
Shrimp: Large shrimp work best for this recipe as they hold their shape well when butterflied and steamed.
Rice Vermicelli: These thin noodles cook quickly and absorb flavors well. Be sure to soak them just until tender to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Fish Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the amount slightly or use a light soy sauce substitute.
Sesame Oil: Enhances the nutty aroma of the shrimp. Use toasted sesame oil for a richer flavor.
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Place the rice vermicelli in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Soak for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Drain well. Divide the noodles into small, round nests and arrange them on a heatproof plate or shallow steamer tray.
Step 2: Butterfly the shrimp by slicing them almost in half lengthwise but keeping them attached. Gently press the shrimp flat and make a small slit at the base. Insert the tail through the slit to create a “boat” shape.
Step 3: Toss the shrimp with lime zest, fish sauce, and sesame oil.
Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it starts to bubble. Add the garlic and chili, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds and remove from heat.
Step 9: Drizzle half the garlic-chili butter sauce over the shrimp and noodles.
Step 6: Place the shrimp boats in a steamer and steam over high heat for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked.
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh, high-quality shrimp will elevate the dish’s flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They cook quickly, so remove them from the steamer as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer it milder, reduce the chili flakes or omit them. For a smokier heat, use a pinch of Korean gochugaru or crushed dried Thai chilies.
- Ensure Even Cooking: Place the shrimp boats in a single layer in the steamer for uniform cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a Thai cucumber salad or a simple mango and avocado salad for a refreshing contrast.
- Pair these shrimp boats with crispy spring rolls, or Vietnamese-style pickled vegetables to balance the softness of the shrimp and noodles.
- For a refreshing side, pair these shrimp boats with this Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad, which offers a crisp contrast to the rich garlic-chili butter.
- Serve alongside a light soy-based dipping sauce with a splash of lime juice.
More Seafood Recipes
- Get perfectly cooked, juicy salmon in no time with this 10-minute air fryer salmon recipe! A quick, delicious dinner option that’s sure to become a favorite. Serve it with your go-to sides for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Creamy, smoky, and oh-so-delicious! This smoked salmon and egg dip is the perfect addition to your appetizer spread. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a quick recipe that delivers big on flavor. This dip will become a favorite for brunch, a party, or just a snack!
- The only Bang Bang Shrimp recipe you need—extra crispy, full of flavor, and made in just 15 minutes. Perfect for dinner, tacos, or as a party appetizer!
- Instant Pot Shrimp Boil is a one-pot dinner that feels special without the effort. Bold, comforting, and full of flavor, it brings the seafood boil experience right to your table. It’s the kind of dish that turns any night into something worth gathering around.
- Crispy, crunchy, and packed with coconut goodness—this Coconut Shrimp is everything you love about restaurant-style shrimp, but even better homemade! The golden, flaky coating gives every bite a perfect balance of light sweetness and savory crunch.
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Equipment
Ingredients
For the shrimp boats:
- 6 oz rice vermicelli noodles
- 3 cups hot water for soaking
- ½ pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails intact
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
For the garlic-chili butter sauce:
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Place the rice vermicelli in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Soak for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Drain well. Divide the noodles into small, round nests and arrange them on a heatproof plate or shallow steamer tray.
- Butterfly the shrimp by slicing them almost in half lengthwise but keeping them attached.
- Gently press the shrimp flat and make a small slit at the base. Insert the tail through the slit to create a “boat” shape.
- Toss the shrimp with lime zest, fish sauce, and sesame oil. Place one shrimp on top of each noodle nest.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it starts to bubble.
- Add the garlic and chili, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds and remove from heat.
- Drizzle half the garlic-chili butter sauce over the shrimp and noodles.
- Place the shrimp boats in a steamer and steam over high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp boats from the steamer. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the top.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh, high-quality shrimp will elevate the dish’s flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They cook quickly, so remove them from the steamer as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer it milder, reduce the chili flakes or omit them. For a smokier heat, use a pinch of Korean gochugaru or crushed dried Thai chilies.
- Ensure Even Cooking: Place the shrimp boats in a single layer in the steamer for uniform cooking.
