Traditional Japanese Tempura
Crisp, golden-brown tempura with fresh shrimp and vegetables, served with a tangy dipping sauce. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, broccoli florets, tempura flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 pieces, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup tempura flour
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp wasabi
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 cup tempura flour with 1/4 cup ice water until a smooth batter forms. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 375°F (190°C). Dip shrimp and broccoli into the batter, ensuring full coverage, and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: For the dipping sauce, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp wasabi. Serve tempura warm with the sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Japanese Tempura take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Traditional Japanese Tempura?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Japanese Tempura?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Traditional Japanese Tempura for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Traditional Japanese Tempura?
Japanese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
