Yesss! Crispy, golden fried shrimp is always a winner — whether you’re doing a seafood feast, taco night, or just craving that crunchy goodness.
Here’s a classic Southern-style fried shrimp recipe — juicy inside, crispy outside, and seriously addictive.
CLASSIC FRIED SHRIMP
Ingredients:
-
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on or off)
-
1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice)
-
1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for flavor)
-
1 cup cornmeal
-
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
-
1 tsp paprika
-
1/2 tsp garlic powder
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1/4 tsp black pepper
-
Vegetable oil (for frying)
-
Lemon wedges & dipping sauce (like remoulade, tartar, or spicy mayo)
Directions:
-
Prep the shrimp:
-
Rinse and pat dry.
-
Soak in buttermilk + hot sauce for 15–30 minutes (helps with tenderness and coating).
-
-
Mix the coating:
-
Combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
-
-
Heat the oil:
-
In a deep skillet or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) — about 2 inches deep.
-
-
Dredge and fry:
-
Remove shrimp from buttermilk, shake off excess, and dredge in the cornmeal mixture.
-
Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes, until golden and crispy.
-
Drain on paper towels.
-
-
Serve hot:
-
Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and serve with your fave dipping sauce!
-
Want a panko version, a tempura twist, or baked instead of fried?