Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about the sweet and savory combination in this caramelized shrimp dish, especially when the rich aroma of garlic and shallots fills my kitchen. As the coconut water reduces and mingles with lime and scallions, it creates a luscious sauce that coats the shrimp perfectly, making it a delightful accompaniment to a bowl of freshly steamed rice.

The Vietnamese dish Caramelized Shrimp, or Tom Rim, is something truly enchanting. It has a glaze of caramelized sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce that embrace the shrimp.

Those three elements alone make the shrimp umami-rich and delicious. Sweet coconut water, aromatic garlic, and shallots add layers of flavor that make this dish special.

A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro give it a bright finish.

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe Ingredients

• Shrimp: High in protein, low in calories, rich in minerals.
• Fish Sauce: Adds umami depth, essential Vietnamese flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Enhances savory taste, balances sweetness.
• Sugar: Caramelizes, adds sweet balance to flavors.
• Coconut Water: Slightly sweet, adds subtle tropical essence.
• Lime Juice: Brightens with acidity, balances sweetness.

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound (about 450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

How to Make this Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and the shallot, both of which have been prepared as specified. I.e., they have been minced (garlic) and sliced thinly (shallot). Let them hang out in the skillet for a couple of minutes. They should smell really good—and a bit sweet—when it’s time to move on to the next step.

2. In the skillet, add the sugar and stir continuously until it is melted and starts to caramelize—that is, change from a white substance to a light golden brown one.

3. Immediately introduce the shrimp, already peeled and deveined, into the skillet, and toss them to coat in the caramel.

4. Pour in fish sauce, soy sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine all the ingredients with the shrimp.

5. Combine the coconut water and stir it into the mixture, allowing the liquid to come to a simmer.

6. Lower the heat to low and allow the shrimp to finish cooking in the sauce, stirring occasionally, until they are just cooked through and the sauce has thickened nicely, about 5-7 minutes.

7. After cooking the shrimp, take the skillet off the heat and mix in the lime juice and sliced scallions.

8. If needed, taste and adjust seasonings. You can add more lime juice or fish sauce if you like. You can really tailor this to your taste.

9. Place the shrimp on a serving platter. Spoon the sauce over the top of the shrimp.

10. If desired, garnish with leaves of cilantro and serve right away with rice that has been steamed. Enjoy!

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet
2. Measuring spoons
3. Cutting board
4. Knife
5. Garlic press (optional, for mincing garlic)
6. Spoon or spatula (for stirring)
7. Tongs (for tossing shrimp)
8. Serving platter
9. Bowls or plates (for serving)

FAQ

• What type of shrimp should I use for this recipe?For the best results, use shrimp that are large, peeled, and deveined.
• Can I substitute soy sauce with anything else?Certainly, tamari or coconut aminos can be used in place of soy sauce.
• What if I don’t have coconut water?A mixture of half water and half coconut milk can be used instead. This will give you a similar flavor.
• Is fish sauce necessary?Umami is the flavor that makes things taste authentically good, and fish sauce adds it in spades. But it’s also a very particular flavor, so if you don’t have fish sauce handy, soy sauce is a perfectly good umami stand-in, and so is a very small amount of Worcestershire sauce, which has dimensions of flavor beyond just umami.
• How do I store leftover caramelized shrimp?Keep uneaten food in a sealed container in the fridge for no longer than 2 days.
• Can I make this recipe spicier?Indeed, sliced chili peppers or just a pinch of chili flakes can be added to turn up the heat.
• What should I serve with Tom Rim?It goes well with steamed rice or rice noodles to soak up the delectable sauce.

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp Tom Rim Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vegetable oil: Use canola oil or peanut oil for an alternate flavor profile. Substitute with them.
Fish sauce: Use soy sauce or tamari instead; they are much milder and won’t provide the same type of flavor if that’s what you’re after.
Soy sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
Sugar: Use brown sugar or palm sugar to get a richer flavor.
Coconut water: If coconut water is not on hand, use chicken broth or plain water as a substitution.

Pro Tips

1. Marinate the Shrimp For even more flavor, consider marinating the shrimp for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Toss them with a little fish sauce, lime juice, and a pinch of sugar. This will enhance their taste and help them absorb the flavors of the sauce better.

2. Caramelization Tip When caramelizing the sugar, be vigilant as it can burn quickly. Stir constantly and once it reaches a light golden brown, swiftly move to the next step to prevent any bitter taste.

3. Coconut Water Substitute If coconut water isn’t available, you can substitute with a mix of half coconut milk and half water for a similar sweet and creamy effect. This will give the dish a richer texture.

4. Enhance Aromatics Toast the minced garlic and sliced shallots lightly in the oil before adding the sugar. This will extract their flavors more fully and infuse the oil with a delightful aroma that permeates the dish.

5. Serving Suggestion For a complete meal, serve the shrimp with steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice to complement the flavors. The rice will soak up the sauce and provide a perfect base to enjoy the shrimp.