Southern-Style Fried Shrimp Recipe
Fried shrimp in a crispy coating are a classic of seaside bars in the American South, especially in states like Louisiana or South Carolina. They’re served in paper baskets with fries and sauce, meant to be eaten with your fingers. The flavor is reminiscent of fish and chips, but the shrimp are more delicate and slightly sweeter.
Southern-style fried shrimp have a distinctive crispy coating made from a mix of wheat and corn flour, just like in seaside bars along the Gulf Coast. The delicately sweet shrimp contrast with the slightly spicy, well-seasoned crust and a simple mayo-and-ketchup “shrimp sauce.” It’s the essence of street food – eaten with your fingers, still hot, they taste completely different from pan-fried shrimp.
Chef's tips
The shrimp must be very well dried before marinating, otherwise the coating will slide off and soak up oil. Heat the oil thoroughly and fry in batches – if you add too many at once, the temperature will drop and the crust will turn soft instead of crispy. Watch the frying time: as soon as the shrimp turn pink and curl slightly into a “C” shape, take them out right away, because just a few seconds too long can make them rubbery.
How to serve
Serve them in a bowl or paper-lined basket with fries or roasted potatoes and a generous amount of sauce – just like in a seaside bar. To drink, light beer, non-alcoholic lemonade, or iced tea work perfectly, especially if you’re doing a homemade “fish & shrimp night.” They’re a great snack for watching a game with friends – everyone can grab hot shrimp straight from the platter.
Ingredients
- shrimp - 500 g
- buttermilk - 200 ml
- chili sauce - 1 tablespoon
- all-purpose flour - 120 g
- corn flour - 80 g
- paprika - 1 teaspoon
- garlic powder - 0.5 teaspoons
- salt - 0.75 teaspoons
- black pepper - 0.5 teaspoons
- oil for deep-frying - 700 ml
- mayonnaise - 80 g
- ketchup - 60 g
- lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
Preparation
- If you’re using frozen shrimp, thaw them in the fridge or in cold water, then pat them very dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix the buttermilk with the chili sauce. Add the shrimp, toss to coat them completely, and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to marinate.
- In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, corn flour, sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, make the sauce: mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and lemon juice until smooth, then refrigerate.
- Pour oil into a deep pot or high-sided pan so that it forms a layer at least 4–5 cm deep. Heat over medium-high heat until hot – you can drop in a pinch of the flour mixture; if it sizzles right away, the oil is ready.
- Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and gently shake off the excess liquid. Working in batches, dredge them in the flour mixture, pressing so the coating adheres well.
- Fry the shrimp in the hot oil for 1–2 minutes per side, until the coating is golden and crisp and the shrimp inside are pink and springy. Don’t fry too long or they will turn rubbery.
- Lift the fried shrimp out with a slotted spoon onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
- Serve the hot shrimp with the prepared sauce and, for example, fries or a simple salad.
Storage
No storage information available for this dish.
I always make these shrimp when we have a “movie Friday” at home and no one feels like a classic sit-down dinner with plates and cutlery. I usually put them on the table next to a bowl of oven fries and a plate of lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
