Applebee’s shrimp bowl is a flavorful and filling meal option for seafood lovers. As one of Applebee’s signature dishes, the shrimp bowl contains a variety of ingredients that come together to create a delicious and satisfying dining experience.
Shrimp
The star ingredient of Applebee’s shrimp bowl is, of course, shrimp. The bowl features a generous portion of crispy breaded shrimp, providing you with plenty of those tasty little seafood morsels. The shrimp are first lightly dusted in flour, then coated in a flavorful Japanese panko breadcrumb batter before being deep fried to golden brown perfection. This method yields an ultra-crispy exterior that gives way to plump and juicy shrimp on the inside.
In addition to providing great texture and flavor, shrimp is also prized for its health benefits. Shrimp is low in calories and fat, yet high in protein, making it an excellent source of lean protein to promote muscle growth and repair. It also provides a variety of important vitamins and minerals like selenium, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Rice
No shrimp meal would be complete without rice to soak up all of that delicious sauce. Applebee’s shrimp bowl features a bed of warm white rice as the base. The subtle flavor of the rice complements the bolder shrimp beautifully. It also helps to fill you up, providing a satisfying dose of energizing carbohydrates.
Rice is valued worldwide as an affordable, versatile, and nutritious dietary staple. The white rice in Applebee’s shrimp bowl has had the bran and germ removed, giving it a mild flavor, light texture, and faster cooking time. It provides an excellent source of energy, while also being naturally free of gluten.
Broccoli
In addition to shrimp and rice, Applebee’s shrimp bowl comes loaded with fresh broccoli florets. The vibrant green broccoli pairs nicely with the color and texture of the rice and shrimp. It also adds nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and fiber to help round out the meal.
Broccoli is part of the nutritious cruciferous vegetable family, touted for its multitude of health benefits. It contains sulforaphane, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. As a low-calorie, high-fiber food, broccoli can help support heart health, digestion, detoxification, and immune function.
Sauce
Tying everything together is Applebee’s signature sweet chili sauce. This sticky, aromatic sauce provides a lovely balance of sweet and spicy flavors. It coats each component of the shrimp bowl, infusing it with tangy, refreshing notes of chili pepper, garlic, ginger and lemongrass.
The sugar content of the sweet chili sauce helps counterbalance the heat from the chilies. Meanwhile, the combination of chili peppers and garlic offers immense health benefits. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which has thermogenic properties to boost metabolism. Garlic is loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds like allicin.
Additional Toppings
To add even more flavor and crunch to the shrimp bowl, Applebee’s includes some tasty finishing touches. You’ll find sliced green onions sprinkled over the top, providing fresh oniony flavor and vibrant color. Toasted sesame seeds add a subtle nutty taste and delightful texture contrast. Finally, wedges of fresh lime are provided for an extra dash of citrus zest.
These garnishes may seem small, but they make a big impact. Green onions offer Vitamin K, manganese and vitamin C. Sesame seeds contain calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, fiber and healthy fats. Lime wedges add vitamin C, flavonoids and antioxidants. Together, they take the flavor profile of the shrimp bowl to the next level.
Nutrition Information
If you’re wondering how Applebee’s shrimp bowl stacks up nutritionally, here is an overview of the key nutrition facts:
| Nutrition Facts | Per Bowl |
|---|---|
| Calories | 670 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 170mg |
| Sodium | 1880mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 84g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Protein | 27g |
As you can see, while not the healthiest option out there, Applebee’s shrimp bowl does provide a substantial amount of protein thanks to the shrimp. It also delivers a fairly balanced macronutrient ratio, with carbs making up the majority of calories followed by fat and protein.
The sodium content is quite high, so that’s something to keep in mind for those monitoring their salt intake. Overall though, Applebee’s shrimp bowl makes for a tasty meal that can fit into a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation.
Customization Options
One great aspect of Applebee’s shrimp bowl is that you can customize it to suit your own tastes and dietary needs. Here are some of the ways you can switch it up:
- Swap white rice for brown rice or cauliflower rice to increase fiber and nutrients.
- Load up on extra veggies like bell peppers, snap peas or zucchini noodles.
- Ask for grilled or blackened shrimp instead of breaded and fried.
- Substitute coconut rice for regular rice to make it gluten-free.
- Replace sweet chili sauce with teriyaki or garlic lemon sauce.
- Hold the salt and ask for low-sodium soy sauce instead.
- Add a side salad or steamed veggies to help balance the meal.
Applebee’s is generally happy to accommodate requests to make menu items more diet-friendly. So don’t be afraid to ask for any modifications to better suit your preferences or health goals.
Shrimp Bowl vs Shrimp Platters
If you enjoy shrimp at Applebee’s, you may be wondering how the shrimp bowl compares to one of their shrimp platters. Here’s a quick rundown of the differences:
- Shrimp Bowl – Features breaded fried shrimp on a bed of rice with broccoli and sweet chili sauce. Comes with green onions, sesame seeds and lime.
- Shrimp Platter – Breaded fried shrimp served with french fries and coleslaw. Typically does not come with any veggies or sauce.
As you can see, the shrimp bowl includes rice and broccoli rather than fries, as well as flavorful sauces and garnishes. The platter focuses more on the shrimp itself. Both provide breaded fried shrimp, so it mainly comes down to your preferences for side dishes and flavors.
Price
Pricing for Applebee’s shrimp bowl may vary a bit by location, but you can typically expect to pay around $12.99 to $16.99. This puts it around the mid-price point on the Applebee’s menu. It costs a little more than basics like burgers and sandwiches, but less than steak and seafood entrees.
Compared to other chain restaurants, Applebee’s shrimp bowl is reasonably priced for the generous portion size. It delivers a more interesting, composed meal compared to the average fried shrimp platter. When combined with other discounts and specials, you can often get Applebee’s shrimp bowl for an even better value.
Taste Review
So how does Applebee’s shrimp bowl actually taste? Here is a quick overview of the flavors and textures you can expect:
- The shrimp is crispy and juicy with a light breadcrumb coating that provides crunch without overwhelming the shrimp flavor.
- The rice has a mild, starchy taste that soaks up sauce nicely and provides a blank canvas for other flavors.
- The broccoli offers a nice fresh, green flavor and added texture contrast.
- The sweet chili sauce has a lovely blend of sweet and spicy flavors, with a sticky texture that coats each component.
- The green onions, sesame seeds and lime add pops of flavor and crunch that lift up the dish.
Overall, the combined effect is a meal that provides a lovely balance of flavors and textures in each bite. The shrimp is undoubtedly the star, but the other components come together to create a cohesive and satisfying dish.
Conclusion
With its crispy fried shrimp, savory rice, fresh broccoli and sweet chili sauce, Applebee’s shrimp bowl offers an appetizing meal option for seafood lovers. It provides a more interesting and composed option than the typical fried shrimp platter served at many chain restaurants. While not the healthiest menu choice out there, it can reasonably fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. Applebee’s makes it easy to customize your shrimp bowl to accommodate your taste preferences and dietary needs. So next time you’re dining at Applebee’s and want a break from burgers and sandwiches, consider giving the signature shrimp bowl a tasty try.