Fried Shrimp: The Best Recipe for the Family

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Tired of all the oil involved in making deep-fried shrimp and want to switch over to pan-fried shrimp? If you want an easy dinner, there’s nothing better than fried shrimp dredged in lightly seasoned flour for a golden brown finish. Here, we share a quick step-by-step recipe for the perfect way to fry shrimp that you can serve with some hush puppies, collard greens, cornbread, or anything else that will satisfy your cravings!

Table of Contents

What Kind of Shrimp to Use for Frying?

Some people will prefer to use jumbo shrimp but if you’re frying shrimp, working with smaller shrimp may present better results. This is because the coating-to-shrimp ratio will work out well when there’s a smaller surface area. Not only will they cook faster so your breading doesn’t get too dark, but you can easily pop them into your mouth.

How Do I Peel and Devein Shrimp?

When you want to make the best fried shrimp, you’ll need to start with peeled, deveined, and raw shrimp; this can usually be found in your local grocery store. If you’re unable to find any, make sure to peel your raw shrimp by pulling each side of the shell apart, starting by the front and ending at the tail. You can devein your shrimp by cutting along the top of the shrimp using a sharp paring knife, making it deep enough to take out the intestines.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Recipe

This Southern fried shrimp recipe will give you plump and tender shrimp coated in a simple batter that’s perfect for fleshy and sweet shrimp. Soon, this will be your family’s favorite dinner or snack for all occasions.

Ingredients

Below is a breakdown of the simple ingredients that you’ll need for these tasty, crispy fried shrimp.

Shrimp: You can use either medium or small shrimp to help them cook quickly while keeping your batter from getting too dark.
Self-Rising Flour: This will work better compared to all-purpose flour since it will give you a light, crispy, and puffy texture on your shrimp.
Salt and Pepper: These are simple but will bring out the flavor of your shrimp, so be sure to season them while they’re still warm.
Old Bay Seasoning: This is a classic seasoning for seafood which will give your breading a subtle zesty flavor.
Buttermilk: Because it contains a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar, buttermilk can provide a bit of tang to your shrimp while tenderizing them.
Oil for Frying: The best option would be to use peanut oil, but vegetable oil should work just as well.

Instructions

Because shrimp are among the easiest foods to overcook, it’s important to keep an eye on them and only keep them on the heat for about 2 minutes for each batch.

Prepare the Coating: Inside a shallow bowl, whisk your salt, pepper, flour, and Old Bay together. Place your buttermilk in another bowl.
Heat Oil: Heat up your oil in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until you reach 375°F. It may take some time before your oil reaches this temperature, which will give you time to start your shrimp while preheating the oil.
Coat Your Shrimp: Pat your shrimp dry and dredge them in your flour mixture, then coat them using the buttermilk before dredging them in the flour mixture again. To ensure you get crispy shrimp, make sure to shake them after every coating to take away excess batter or flour.
Fry the Shrimp: Work in batches to avoid overcrowding in your pan, and fry your shrimp for 2 minutes or until they get a golden brown color. Place them over paper towels, then season them using additional salt, and keep them warm inside a 200°F oven while waiting for the next batches.

How to Get the Best Results

What is the Best Oil Temperature to Fry Shrimp?

Because peanut oil has a high smoke point and won’t flavor seafood, it’s the best option for frying your shrimp and should reach a temperature of 375°F before you get started. Once you start cooking, the temperature of the oil could come down so be sure to make adjustments to ensure you stay in a range between 350°F to 375°F.

How Long Should I Fry My Shrimp?

When cooking at temperatures around 375°F, they will be done cooking in just 2 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on them and quickly pull them out once they get a crispy coating and a golden brown color.

Can I Use Alternatives to the Recipe Above?

If you want to use larger shrimp, make sure to account for the increased cooking time.
Rather than using a Dutch oven or skillet, be sure to use a deep fryer instead.
If you can’t find peanut oil or vegetable oil, the next best option is canola oil.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make the best fried shrimp, make sure to follow the recipe above and partner it with either tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. When you need to store leftover shrimp, be sure to place it inside an airtight container and use a baking sheet when you need to reheat it.

Sources

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