Steamed shrimp with beer is a familiar dish in family gatherings or meetings with friends. The natural sweetness of the shrimp blends perfectly with the distinctive aroma of beer and spices like lemongrass and ginger, creating a delicious, easy-to-make dish that retains all its nutrients. If you are looking for the perfect beer-steamed shrimp recipe, let’s check out the detailed guide in this article from Ola Squid!
1. How to make aromatic lemongrass beer-steamed shrimp
Ingredients needed:
- 500g fresh tiger prawns (can be replaced with giant freshwater prawns)
- 1 stalk of lemongrass, 1 can of beer
- 1 teaspoon of salt, salt and pepper with lime
- Vegetables for serving: lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, etc.

Detailed instructions for steaming shrimp with beer and lemongrass:
- Step 1 – Preparation and marinating: First, trim the shrimp whiskers, rinse with diluted salt water, then rinse again with clean water and drain. Marinate the shrimp with 1 teaspoon of salt for 10-15 minutes to make the meat more flavorful. Cut the lemongrass into pieces and smash them so they release a stronger aroma when steamed.
- Step 2 – Steaming the shrimp: Next, pour the beer into the pot and place the steaming rack on top. Arrange the marinated shrimp and lemongrass on the rack, cover tightly, and steam for 5-7 minutes. When the shrimp turn reddish-orange and curl slightly, they are done.
- Step 3 – Finishing: The finished lemongrass beer-steamed shrimp has an eye-catching color, a gentle beer aroma mixed with lemongrass, and the shrimp meat is firm and sweet. Place the shrimp on a plate and serve hot with salt, pepper, and lime, accompanied by fresh herbs for a more well-rounded flavor.
2. Instructions for making ginger beer-steamed shrimp
Ingredients needed include:
- 400g fresh shrimp
- 3 ginger roots, 2 cans of beer
- 1 red chili pepper
- Dipping sauce: soy sauce mixed with wasabi or chili sauce

Simple and quick way to make ginger beer-steamed shrimp:
- Step 1 – Preparing the shrimp: Trim the shrimp whiskers, remove the back vein, and clean the head. Rinse with diluted salt water, then rinse again and drain. You can toss them briefly with a little beer or white wine for a few minutes to remove any fishy smell, helping the shrimp meat smell fragrant and turn a beautiful color when steamed.
- Step 2 – Preparing ginger and chili: Wash the ginger and julienne it. Remove the seeds from the chili and slice thinly according to your preference.
- Step 3 – Steaming the shrimp with beer: Pour the beer into the pot and place the steaming rack on top. Spread a layer of ginger at the bottom of the rack, arrange the shrimp on top, and sprinkle more ginger and chili on top. Cover tightly and steam for about 6-8 minutes until the shrimp turn red and the bodies curl slightly. This dish is best served hot, dipped in soy sauce with wasabi or chili sauce to enhance the richness.
Check out similar delicious dishes:
- How to make delicious, sweet, and non-fishy beer-steamed squid at home
- 3 Suggested ways to steam sea crab so they are delicious and the claws don’t fall off
- Guide to making aromatic and attractive guava leaf steamed squid
3. How to make dipping sauce for beer-steamed shrimp
A delicious beer-steamed shrimp dish cannot be complete without the perfect dipping sauce. Here are 3 popular types that are easy to make at home.
3.1. Sweet and sour dipping sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 5 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 lime
- Minced garlic, lemongrass, chili
- A few shredded lime leaves

Execution:
Mix the salt and sugar according to the ratio, stirring until completely dissolved. Next, add the minced garlic, lemongrass, and chili, stirring well to release the aroma. Squeeze the lime juice into the mixture, stir gently so the flavors combine. If you like a fresh aroma, you can add some shredded lime leaves.
3.2. Green pepper dipping sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of kumquat or lime juice, lime leaves
- 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar
- Mustard greens, 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
- Green bell pepper, green bird’s eye chili
Execution:
Put the salt, sugar, kumquat (or lime) juice, and condensed milk into a blender. Then, add the chopped mustard greens, green bell pepper, and green chili to the desired level of spiciness. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Finally, add the shredded lime leaves and blend for a few more seconds to create a fragrant aroma.

3.3. Spicy dipping sauce
Ingredients:
- Minced ginger
- Scallions cut into segments, some minced chili
- 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar, sugar, salt

Execution:
Heat a pan with a little oil over low heat, then add the soy sauce and vinegar and stir until lightly boiling. Add the minced ginger and stir quickly for 1-2 minutes to release the distinctive aroma. Continue adding the scallions, season with a little sugar and salt to taste, then turn off the heat. Finally, sprinkle with minced chili to increase the spiciness and attractive color.
See more: Top 6 irresistible dipping sauce recipes for steamed squid
4. Some notes when making beer-steamed shrimp
To keep the beer-steamed shrimp naturally sweet and aromatic, keep in mind a few important points:
- Choose shrimp that are still swimming vigorously, with clear, shiny shells, firm bodies, heads firmly attached to the body, and no strange odors. Avoid buying slimy, discolored shrimp or shrimp with black legs. If using frozen shrimp, choose products from reputable sources.
- Shrimp already have a naturally mild salty taste, so only add a little salt. You can toss them lightly with a bit of beer or white wine and a little sugar to remove the fishy smell and highlight the sweetness of the meat.
- Lemongrass should be smashed, not minced, to help the essential oils release better, creating a distinct aroma without leaving bits of spice in the dish.
- Shrimp cook very quickly; steam for only 5-8 minutes depending on the size. When the shells turn bright red and the bodies curl slightly, they are done. Steaming for too long will make the meat dry, tough, and lose its sweetness.
- You should steam the shrimp over high heat with the lid closed to help them cook evenly and limit the bitterness of the beer from seeping back into the meat.
- You can add a little carbonated soft drink like Coke or Pepsi mixed with beer to make the shrimp turn a more beautiful and eye-catching color.
- Beer-steamed shrimp is best enjoyed right after being cooked to perfection, while the meat is still soft, juicy, and fragrant.
5. FAQ
5.1 How many minutes to steam shrimp with beer?
Beer-steamed shrimp cooks very quickly, usually requiring only about 5-8 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. When you see the shell turn bright reddish-orange and the body curl slightly into a crescent shape, the shrimp has reached the perfect level of doneness. You should not steam for too long because the meat will become dry, tough, and lose its natural sweetness.
5.2 What to eat with beer-steamed shrimp?
Beer-steamed shrimp is best served hot and dipped with salt, pepper, and lime, green chili salt, or sweet and sour dipping sauce. You can serve it with fresh herbs like lettuce, cucumber, or herbs to balance the flavor. Additionally, this dish is great when eaten with rice paper wraps, fresh vermicelli, or served as a drinking snack during get-togethers.
5.3 Is beer-steamed shrimp healthy?
This is a healthy dish because it is prepared using the steaming method, without using much oil or fat. Shrimp is rich in protein, low in fat, and contains many minerals good for the body. However, you should consume it in moderation, especially if you have a seafood allergy or are controlling your cholesterol, to ensure nutritional balance.
With the two delicious and simple beer-steamed shrimp recipes above, we hope you successfully prepare this dish for your family meals. To explore more attractive recipes and useful cooking tips, don’t forget to visit the Blog of Ola Squid today. If you’re looking for quality ingredients to accompany your meals, explore our premium dried products at our store.

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