While it’s known for white sand beaches and thick, jungle mountains, Hawaiian food culture is something to be excited about too. Salty Spam, sweet, sticky rice, juicy fruit… Seriously, Hawaii is filled with delicious food everywhere, including this indulgent Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Recipe that’s like garlic heaven! Giovanni’s shrimp recipe found in North Shore of Oahu and Geste Shrimp Truck on Maui could easy be the best meals we’ve had (and we ate some very delicious meals). I was excited to recreate the lemon butter garlic shrimp as soon as we got home! If you love buttery garlic as much as I do, you’re going to love this Hawaiian garlic shrimp.

Geste Shrimp Truck + Giovannis Hawaii 

The natural beauty and Hawaiian tradition all intermingled with modern day culture is just one reason to slow down in this gorgeous community. For lunch one day, we stopped at the popular Giovanni Shrimp Truck along the main highway. We also loved Geste Shrimp Truck in Maui. When you Yelp, you can find Hawaiin shrimp trucks all over the place, actually… they’re super popular and gets rave reviews! After ordering and soaking up the sighters, we ate some amazing Hawaiian shrimp with garlic and butter alongside sticky rice. AMAZING!

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe

After chatting with the cooks inside the shrimp truck, they shared a few of their recipe secrets that I immediately tested when I got home. #1 Hawaiian shrimp recipe secret: big shrimp with shells and tails on is the foundation for a great recipe. They also said to use clarified butter to create high heat that cooks shrimp quickest. I had to research what clarified butter was and opted to just use butter and some vegetable oil instead to create that high smoke point.

We loved the traditional Hawaiian shrimp recipe, but for this recipe, I opted to use deveined shrimp without shells, but the tails still on. Especially with kids, the shells a huge mess and more sauce on your fingers than in your mouth.

How To Make Giovanni’s Garlic Shrimp Recipe

I wish you could have been there with me – the textures of this simple truck stop along with the garlic aroma was like a little paradise in itself! I had fun photographing all the textures and scenery of this Hawaiian landmark, as it was evident its been around for a while. Are you ready to indulge in delicious Hawaiian food culture? This Hawaiian Shrimp Truck recipe is beyond simple and so fast – it makes the PERFECT weeknight dinner!

Garlic Shrimp Ingredients List

• 1 pound large shrimp, deveined
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 head garlic, peeled and chopped (yes, you need it ALL!)
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1-2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 lemon, cut into slices or wedges

Here’s how you make this simple Hawaiian Shrimp Truck recipe…

Combine flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a dish and toss the shrimp in the mixture to coat. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add the butter, oil and garlic, allowing the garlic to cook for 3-5 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then turn the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes on the other side. Add salt. Cook for another minute or two. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the shrimp to zest up the flavor.

White Rice Recipes From Around the World

Cuban Arroz Congri – A traditional Cuban dish cooking white rice and black beans together

Cuban Arroz con Pollo – I grew up on this savory Cuban rice dish and my kids do too!

Costa Rican Gallo Pinto – Our favorite breakfast rice dish from a country we adore.

West African Jollof Rice – delicious African rice dish made with stewed tomatoes. 

Arroz con Leche – a Cuban dessert recipe made with short grain rice.

Cuban Fried Rice – a twist on a traditional Cuban rice dish, Arroz Frito hails from Chinese immigrants.

Curry Mango with Organic White Rice – a savory curry made with mango and organic chicken.

Traditional Mexican Rice – stewed tomato sauce in toasted white rice simmered with smoky spices

Easy Coconut Rice in a Rice Cooker – simple, yet so savory

Yellow Indian Jasmine Rice – made with turmeric and cumin!

Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Recipe

Yield: Serves 4

A Hawaiian garlic shrimp truck recipe straight from the North Shore of Oahu makes a fast weeknight meal that kids love! The cooks on the shrimp truck spilled all the secrets for their buttery Giovanni's shrimp recipe that is a favorite for garlic lovers and now we can make it at home.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, deveined
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 head garlic, peeled and chopped (yes, you need it ALL!)
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1-2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 lemon, cut into slices or wedges

Instructions

1. Combine flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a dish and toss the shrimp in the mixture to coat.
2. Heat a large skillet over low heat.
3. Add the butter, oil and garlic, allowing the garlic to cook for 3-5 minutes.
4. Raise the heat to medium and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then turn the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes on the other side.
5. Add salt.
6. Cook for another minute or two.
7. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the shrimp to zest up the flavor.
8. Serve immediately with a side of white rice and a lemon wedge.