Hey there! I’m super excited to share this amazing Giovanni shrimp recipe with you today. If you’ve ever been to Hawaii’s North Shore, you probably know about the legendary Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. Their garlic shrimp is literally to die for! But don’t worry if you haven’t made it to Hawaii yet – I’ll show you how to recreate this mouth-watering dish right in your kitchen.
What Makes Giovanni Shrimp So Special?
Giovanni shrimp isn’t your regular shrimp scampi. This local Hawaiian dish has been making waves since the 1980s. The secret? Loads of garlic, butter, and a special coating that creates an incredible crispy texture. The sauce is so good, you’ll want to pour it all over your rice!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For 2-3 servings:
- 1 pound large shrimp (16-20 count)
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 whole head of garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup flour (mochiko flour preferred)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 lemons
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Shrimp
- Clean and pat dry your shrimp thoroughly
- For authentic taste, keep shells on (but devein them)
- Get them as dry as possible before coating
2. Make the Coating
- Mix in a bowl:
- Flour
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
3. Cook the Garlic
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat
- Add olive oil
- Toss in minced garlic
- Cook for 3 minutes until fragrant (don’t burn it!)
- Pour garlic butter into a separate bowl (we’ll use it later)
4. Cook the Shrimp
- Heat pan to medium-high
- Add olive oil
- Place coated shrimp in a single layer
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Add garlic butter back to pan
- Cook another minute
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
-
Shell Decision
- Keep shells on for authentic experience
- Remove shells for more sauce absorption
- Either way works great!
-
Garlic Tips
- Use fresh garlic, not pre-minced
- One whole head minimum
- More garlic = more better (trust me!)
-
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overcrowd the pan
- Don’t skip drying the shrimp
- Don’t burn the garlic
- Don’t forget the rice!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Giovanni shrimp hot over steamed white rice. The rice soaks up all that yummy garlic butter sauce – it’s honestly half the fun! Add a fresh lemon wedge and maybe a cold Hawaiian beer if you’re feeling fancy.
Make It Your Own
Wanna switch things up? Here’s how:
- Add more cayenne for extra heat
- Use black pepper instead of cayenne
- Double the garlic (I won’t judge!)
- Try coconut oil instead of butter for a different twist
Storage Tips
Tbh, these shrimp are best eaten right away. But if you gotta save some:
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 2 days
- Reheat gently in pan with a splash of oil
Final Thoughts
Making Giovanni shrimp at home might not be exactly like getting it from the truck in Hawaii, but it’s pretty darn close! Plus, you can make it whenever you want without standing in those crazy long lines.
Happy cooking!
Note: Recipe adapted from multiple sources including my own experiments trying to recreate that perfect North Shore garlic shrimp taste!
FROM HAWAII WITH LOVE!
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How to Make Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe | Best Hawaiian Shrimp Recipe
FAQ
Why is Giovanni’s shrimp truck so popular?
We started to enter national and international food show contests for our delicious and unique recipes. We have won multiple awards for our Hot & Spicy sauce and our Scampi Marinade! Word of mouth grew from locals and tourists alike and we had to retire old Bessie and get a new truck.
Is it better to saute shrimp in oil or butter?
It’s better to saute or sear shrimp in oil since it has a higher smoke point than butter. However, either will work. You can also toss cooked shrimp in melted butter if you really want that butter flavor.
How to cook garlic buttered shrimp step by step?
- Marinate the shrimp in lemon soda for about 10 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a pan.
- Add the garlic. Cook in low heat until the color turns light brown.
- Put-in the shrimp. Adjust heat to high. …
- Season with ground black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Stir.
- Add parsley. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Serve hot.
Can you make Giovanni shrimp at home?
And if the shrimp is prepared by the famous Giovanni Shrimp Trunk, you are sure to come back for their Hawaiian garlic shrimp. It is buttery, garlicky, and lemony. It goes great over a plate of white rice or as an appetizer. The good news is you can easily create this Giovanni shrimp recipe at home with simple ingredients and procedures.
Where did Giovanni’s shrimp come from originally?
Giovanni’s, under its former owners John (aka Giovanni) and Connie Aragona, first began selling shrimp out of an old bread truck. It was a roaming food truck back then, driving around the North Shore and stopping at various places to sell plate lunches. Much of Giovanni’s success is attributed to word of mouth.
What to eat with shrimp at Giovanni’s Hawaiian food truck?
RECOMMENDED DISH DESCRIPTION: Coconut Rice is the perfect side dish to go with Giovanni’s Hawaiian Food Truck Garlic Shrimp. The sweetness of the coconut complements the spicy shrimp, and the texture of the rice is a great contrast to the shrimp. It’s also a great way to add more flavor and texture to the dish.
Does Giovanni’s grilled pineapple go with shrimp?
Grilled Pineapple: Grilled Pineapple is a great accompaniment to Giovanni’s Hawaiian Food Truck Garlic Shrimp. The sweetness of the pineapple contrasts the spicy shrimp, while the smoky flavor of the grilled pineapple adds another layer of flavor to the dish.
How long do you cook garlic chili shrimp?
Garlic Chili Shrimp Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add the butter, oil, and garlic. Allow the garlic to cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on one side, then turn the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes on the other side.
Is garlic shrimp a local food?
Garlic shrimp is local food. Local food is unique to Hawaii. It is the category of food that came from blending different cultures that exist in Hawaii. These cultures include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and many more. Examples of local food include shave ice, saimin, loco moco, spam musubi, and manapua.