You might already know about Cola Chicken Wings, which are hands down my kids’all-time favorite. Every time I make a batch, they rush to the table, grabbing piece after piece—and I always end up making extra just to keep up with their appetites!
It seems like anything made with cola instantly becomes a hit in our house. So naturally, I started wondering… what about Cola Glazed Shrimp? Could it be just as irresistible?
Turns out, it absolutely is! My kids loved it just as much as the chicken wings, and honestly, I wasn’t surprised. The shrimp are tender, juicy, and coated in that sweet, slightly caramelized cola sauce that makes every bite addictive.
The best part? Cola Glazed Shrimp is surprisingly easy to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights, quick family dinners, or even impressing friends with a simple yet flavorful dish.
Once you try it, you’ll understand why this has become a staple in our home—everyone asks for seconds, and sometimes, even thirds!
Why You‘ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy, tender shrimp coated in a sticky, sweet-savory glaze.
- Quick and easy to make, perfect for weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Minimal ingredients, but maximum flavor with a rich, caramelized sauce.
- Works beautifully as a main dish with rice or noodles.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Fresh shrimp – Choose live or very fresh large shrimp for a firm, bouncy texture. Frozen shrimp can be used, but thaw completely and pat dry to avoid a fishy smell.
- Cooking wine – Helps remove the shrimp’s natural fishiness. Beer can be used as a substitute.
- Black pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is ideal, adding a subtle spicy aroma that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
- Cola – Regular, sweetened cola provides the perfect sweet base and caramel color. Avoid diet cola as it will reduce flavor.
- Light soy sauce – Adds savory umami depth. Low-sodium is a healthier choice.
- Oyster sauce – Enhances the sweetness and helps the sauce stick to the shrimp.
- Tomato ketchup – Adds tangy sweetness and brightens the sauce. Avoid high-sugar alternatives.
- White sesame seeds – Optional, adds aroma and texture.
How to Make Cola Glazed Shrimp
- Prepare and Marinate the Shrimp
Wash the shrimp, remove heads and shells (leave tails if desired), and make a 1 cm slit along the back. Remove the vein with a toothpick.
Place the shrimp in a bowl, add cooking wine, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and cover. Marinate for 10 minutes—longer can make shrimp tough.
- Blanch the Shrimp
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the shrimp, gently separating them to avoid sticking.
Cook until the shrimp turn pink and slightly curled (1–2 minutes), ensuring they are half-cooked. Drain immediately.
- Prepare and Heat the Cola Sauce
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup, sesame seeds, and cola. Stir until well blended.
Heat the sauce in a wok over medium-low heat without oil. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Cook until small bubbles appear.
- Stir-Fry and Glaze the Shrimp
Add the blanched shrimp to the thickened cola sauce. Stir-fry over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes, ensuring each shrimp is evenly coated.
Cook until the sauce thickens and clings to the shrimp (leave a little sauce at the bottom). Remove from heat and serve immediately with rice or noodles.
Tips & Tricks
- Shrimp handling: The back slit helps remove the vein and ensures even cooking. Blanching prevents overcooking during stir-frying.
- Sauce consistency: Medium-low heat and constant stirring prevent burning. Adjust thickness with a small amount of water if necessary.
- Flavor adjustments: Cola and ketchup provide enough sweetness. Add ½ tbsp vinegar for more tang or a few drops of dark soy sauce for richer color.
Storage: Best served fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 1–2 days and reheated in a microwave or wok for 1 minute.
Easy Cola Shrimp Recipe That Kids Will Love
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 300–400 g fresh shrimp cleaned and deveined
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- A pinch of black pepper
- ½ tbsp salt
Cola Glaze
- 200 ml cola
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds optional
Instructions
Prepare and Marinate the Shrimp
- Wash the shrimp, remove heads and shells (leave tails if desired), and make a 1 cm slit along the back. Remove the vein with a toothpick.
- Place the shrimp in a bowl, add cooking wine, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and cover. Marinate for 10 minutes—longer can make shrimp tough.
Blanch the Shrimp
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the shrimp, gently separating them to avoid sticking.
- Cook until the shrimp turn pink and slightly curled (1–2 minutes), ensuring they are half-cooked. Drain immediately.
Prepare and Heat the Cola Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup, sesame seeds, and cola. Stir until well blended.
- Heat the sauce in a wok over medium-low heat without oil. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Cook until small bubbles appear.
Stir-Fry and Glaze the Shrimp
- Add the blanched shrimp to the thickened cola sauce. Stir-fry over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes, ensuring each shrimp is evenly coated.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and clings to the shrimp (leave a little sauce at the bottom). Remove from heat and serve immediately with rice or noodles.
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