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Southern Fried Shrimp is a classic dish from the Southern United States, known for its crispy coating and tender, flavorful shrimp inside. It’s easy to make and perfect for a casual dinner, seafood platter, or as an appetizer. Here’s how you can prepare Southern Fried Shrimp:
Southern Fried Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off, as desired)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal (for extra crunch)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
- Vegetable oil (for frying, such as canola or peanut oil)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Hot sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Shrimp:
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This is important so the coating sticks better during frying.
- Set Up a Dipping Station:
- In a shallow bowl, add the buttermilk. You can add a little salt and pepper to the milk to season the shrimp as they soak.
- In another shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir the dry ingredients to mix evenly.
- Coat the Shrimp:
- Dip each shrimp into the buttermilk, making sure it’s well-coated.
- Then, dredge the shrimp in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the shrimp are fully coated with the seasoning mixture. Set the coated shrimp aside on a plate or tray.
- Heat the Oil:
- In a large skillet or deep frying pan, heat about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is ready, drop a small pinch of the flour mixture into the oil; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is hot enough for frying.
- Fry the Shrimp:
- Carefully add the shrimp to the hot oil, one at a time, but don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry the shrimp in batches if necessary.
- Fry the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. The shrimp should be cooked through but still tender inside.
- Drain and Serve:
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the shrimp from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
- Serve:
- Serve the Southern Fried Shrimp immediately with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. For extra flavor, you can serve them with hot sauce, cocktail sauce, or a dipping sauce of your choice.
Tips:
- Frying temperature: Keep the oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C). If the oil is too hot, the shrimp may burn, and if it’s not hot enough, the shrimp can become greasy.
- Make it crispy: For an even crunchier coating, double-dip the shrimp: dip them first in buttermilk, then in the flour mixture, and repeat the process.
- Spice it up: If you like a little heat, add more cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture.
- Side dish ideas: Serve your fried shrimp with traditional Southern sides like coleslaw, French fries, hushpuppies, or a simple salad.
Southern Fried Shrimp is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. It’s great for seafood lovers and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main dish. Enjoy!
