🍤 Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
🌟 Why You’ll Love It:
- Golden, crispy coating with bold Southern spices
- Quick to cook—done in under 30 minutes
- Perfect for po’boys, seafood platters, or a snack with dipping sauce
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil or peanut oil (for deep frying)
👨🍳 Instructions
- Soak the Shrimp:
In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the shrimp and let soak for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the coating. - Prepare the Coating:
In a shallow dish, mix together flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. - Coat the Shrimp:
Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the flour-cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat well. Shake off excess. - Heat the Oil:
Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). - Fry the Shrimp:
Fry shrimp in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan) for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Turn once if pan-frying. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. - Serve Hot:
Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, remoulade, or hot sauce.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
- Over creamy coleslaw
- In a New Orleans-style po’boy sandwich
- Alongside hush puppies and fries
- With cheesy grits for a Southern shrimp & grits twist
Would you like a recipe for a dipping sauce (like spicy remoulade) to go with it?