Fried Shrimp

Look no further! This Fried Shrimp recipe is it! And honey, it’s got it all! I dip our shrimp in a buttermilk based coating then into a boldly seasoned cornmeal breading before its fried to perfection. It gives all the crunch you will ever need y’all. You won’t be craving the restaurant fried shrimp no mo boos! This recipe is about as perfect as it gets.

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If I see fried shrimp on a menu, I’m ordering it. Point, blank, periodt! I can’t get enough of that spiced up crunch with tender shrimp inside. When you have Southern roots, you love to fry up everything. And Southerners fry shrimp just right! Take my word. This recipe made me stop itching to order it when I went out. I just wanted to make this version because it was that good.

What is Fried Shrimp?

Fried shrimp is a seafood recipe where raw shrimp is coated in a seasoned breading (Southern vibes) or batter (tempura style) then fried until it’s golden brown and crisp. It can be deep fried or pan fried depending on your mood.

The Lowdown of the Very Best Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort baby!
Primary Cooking Method: Frying
Dietary Info: Pescatarian vibes. Can be made Gluten-Free with some subs.
Key Flavor: Savory, Crispy, Spiced Up Batter on Tender Shrimp
Skill Level: Ain’t too hard boos

• Crispy Texture: This is as crunchy as it gets!
• Bold Seasoning: We’re not skimping on flavor at all here!
• Quick Cook Time: You won’t be a slave to the stove; these babies fry up fast!
• Versatility: Serve ‘em up as an appetizer, a snack, or the main course; they work for basically anything.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Fry Shrimp

• All-Purpose Flour: This base is gonna give your Southern fried shrimp that delish crispy exterior.
• Yellow Cornmeal: This adds that gritty and crunchy texture with Southern vibes.
• Seasoned Salt: We can’t just use basic salt y’all. When its seasoned up, we get more flavor from various spices and herbs.
• Black Pepper: This gives a bit of mild heat.
• Cayenne Pepper: This is providing the real deal heat to add kicks of spice.
• Lemon Pepper: I love this citrusy kick. It brightens the flavor so much.
• Paprika: I love the smoky depth of flavor this gives.
• Buttermilk: This is gonna tenderize up that shrimp with some tang.
• Egg: This, along with the buttermilk, is gonna help that coating stick.
• Hot Sauce: While this is optional, I love adding this extra layer of spice.
• Shrimp: Make sure you grab deveined at the grocery store to cut down on the work. A medium to large size is great for this. Even jumbo is fantastic!

How to Make Fried Shrimp

Step 1: Prep the Coating and Buttermilk Mixture

1. In a ziploc bag, mix together your flour, cornmeal, and all those zesty spices.
2. In a large, shallow dish, whisk up a liquid mix of buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce.

Step 2: Get those Shrimp Breaded

1. Dip each shrimp into the buttermilk mix, making sure they get a good soak.
2. Next toss those buttermilk-dipped shrimp into your seasoned mix. Shake it up until each shrimp is perfectly coated. Lay them out on a baking sheet to set.

Step 3: Fry To Perfection

1. Pour enough oil into your pot to give it a good deep fry. We’re looking for sizzle so make sure you crank the heat to 350 F.
2. Add the shrimp in slowly and fry until they’re a gorgeous golden brown. Remember, shrimp fry up fast so don’t let them linger too long.
3. Scoop ‘em out, let them drain on wire racks with a paper towel lined baking sheet below or on paper towels. Then serve em up!

What to Serve With Deep Fried Shrimp

• Dips: Sauce it up with Remoulade or Tartar Sauce
• Fish Fry it Up!: Get super Southern with it and serve this up with fried catfish, catfish nuggets, and hush puppies! It can’t get no better than that!
• Chicago Style: Serve it up with Spaghetti! True Chicagoans know that fish and spaghetti is a whole vibe.
• Sides: Pair these deep fried shrimp with cole slaw and potato salad!
• Get Coastal: I love fried shrimp served super fresh with corn on the cob and key lime pie.

Recipe Substitutions

• Cornmeal: While you won’t get that Southern grit, you can definitely replace with something equally crisp like panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes or crackers.
• Buttermilk: None lying around? Make your own by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it starts to curdle then use.
• Eggs: Just add a bit more buttermilk and leave the egg out all together.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Just sub in a Gluten Free 1:1 ratio flour for all purpose to serve this up for any dietary restrictions.
• Cheese it up: Add a bit of grated parmesan cheese to the fish fry coating mix. It will make it crispy, cheesy and nice and salty.
• Tex-Mex Vibes: Add a little cumin and chili powder to the seasoned shrimp breading and serve up with some guacamole and Mexican rice. Delish!
• Buffalo Flavor: Just like my fave buffalo wings, you can fry these Southern fried shrimp up and then dip in a buffalo and butter sauce before serving them up.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Fried Shrimp Recipe

• Dry Your Shrimp: Use paper towels to remove as much moisture from the shrimp before you start the recipe. This will make sure the cornmeal shrimp batter stays put.
• For Extra Crispy: Double Dredge boos! Dip the shrimp in the dry mix first then into the buttermilk and then back into the dry mix.
• Let Set: Let the shrimp set before you fry them. I like to let the breading sit for at least 15 minutes to really stick like glue.
• Oil Temperature: Keep the temperature of the oil at 350-375. If the oil is too low, the fried shrimp will be super soggy. If the temperature is too high, the shrimp will burn.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure you work in batches so they can cook evenly and become super crispy.
• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Fried shrimp cooks fast y’all. In order to maintain that plump succulent texture, make sure you remove after its cooked about 2-3 minutes per side at most or the shrimp will get rubbery and tough.
• Drain: While you can drain on paper towels, try wire racks above a baking sheet until the oil drips off. It will keep the deep fried shrimp recipe super crispy.

How to Store and Reheat

• Fridge: Make sure the fried shrimp are completely cool before storing. Place the shrimp in an airtight container. If you have to stack them, put a layer of paper towel between each layer to absorb any excess oil and moisture. Store in the fridge. It should last for 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer: Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, and then transfer them to a ziplock freezer bag. They can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Reheating: Use an oven or toaster oven better yet an air-fryer at 350 F to restore their crispiness. Bake or air fry for about 5 minutes. Never use the microwave boos!! The breading won’t be crispy at all!

Frequently Asked Questions

Favorite Fried Recipes to Try

• Fried Pork Chops
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Fried Chicken
• Fried Pickles
• Fried Chicken Gizzards