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Crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside, Southern Fried Shrimp will fulfill all your seafood needs. It’s a favorite for family meals or special occasions. This is eating at its finest!
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Southern Fried Shrimp is an all-time favorite dish that brings the rich flavors and textures of the South right to your plate. This culinary delight is known for its crispy texture and delectable taste, perfect for a family meal or a special occasion.
What sets Southern Fried Shrimp apart is the unique blend of seasonings and the technique used in preparation. A perfect blend of dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper creates a taste sensation that’s hard to resist. The two-step coating process ensures that every bite is bursting with flavor.
Fried shrimp can be served with a variety of condiments, such as lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, Ranch dressing, or honey mustard. These add an extra layer of flavor, complementing the already tasty dish.
For those who want to experiment with the fried shrimp recipe, various seasonings like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, Greek seasoning, or any other family-favorite blend can be used. Spicing up the dish with ground cayenne pepper is another great option for those who enjoy a kick in their meal.
Southern Fried Shrimp is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary experience that tantalizes the taste buds. Whether you’re looking for a fried shrimp recipe for a festive dinner or simply want to indulge in the comforts of Southern cooking, this dish won’t disappoint.
Enjoy this Southern classic’s unique flavor and texture, and you’ll find yourself returning for more.
Southern Fried Shrimp: Ingredients & Substitutions
To make Southern Fried Shrimp, you will need …
Ingredients
To start:
- raw shrimp – peeled and deveined.
- vegetable oil – to fry your shrimp.
- lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, etc. – condiments for your shrimp, as desired!
For the wet mixture:
- oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt – these seasonings create all the base flavor that coats your shrimp.
- milk – well, you need something to make the wet mixture wet, after all!
For the dry mixture:
- all-purpose flour – necessary for any frying!
- oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper – you might be wondering why we’re coating your shrimp with the same mixture again. The answer? More flavor, inside and out!
How to make Fried Shrimp
Heat the oil. In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat the oil to 375°F.
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Soak the shrimp in the wet mixture. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with all of the wet mixture ingredients. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes.
Coat the shrimp in the dry mixture. In a medium bowl, combine all of the dry mixture ingredients. Working in batches, if necessary, remove the shrimp from the milk mixture and transfer them to the dry mixture. Make sure the shrimp are well-coated with the flour mixture.
Fry the shrimp until golden brown. Remove the shrimp from the flour mixture and fry them in oil for 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through, and the batter is a light golden brown.
Drain and repeat with the remaining shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the oil to a paper towel-lined baking sheet or platter. If necessary, repeat the process with any remaining shrimp.
Serve. Serve immediately with any condiments, if desired.
Southern Fried Shrimp: FAQs
Just 15 minutes! You’ll need 10 minutes to prep the ingredients and 4-5 minutes to cook them.
Depending on portion sizes, you’ll have a pound of shrimp, which is about 2-4 servings!
This is a question I get a lot, and y’all will probably come across the issue, too! Thankfully, shrimp shells make some of the best seafood stock, so there’s that. You can also use them as an excellent fertilizer for any plants you might keep, whether it’s garden flowers, a windowsill of rosemary, or a bed of healthy red tomatoes. They’ll surely enjoy the snack as much as you do!!
Yes! A few variations include…
– Panko breadcrumbs: Panko is a special type of Japanese breadcrumbs. It’s a breading that doesn’t absorb as much oil, which makes it ideal for frying, as it results in crispier, lighter-tasting dishes without too much grease.
– Coconut flour: This is a simple and gluten-free substitute that can happily take the place of breadcrumbs or flour in most cases!! You can also try adding a handful of unsweetened coconut flakes with your coconut flour before dredging the shrimp.
– Almond flour: Similar to the above coconut flour, it’s a fabulous gluten-free substitute.
You can store any leftovers you have in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. However, I always recommend checking the smell of the shrimp before getting ready to serve them again.
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Southern Fried Shrimp
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
For the wet mixture
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
For the dry mixture
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For frying
- vegetable oil
For serving
- lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, Ranch dressing, honey mustard, or other condiments as desired
Instructions
- In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat the oil to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with all of the wet mixture ingredients. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine all of the dry mixture ingredients.
- Working in batches, if necessary, remove the shrimp from the milk mixture and transfer them to the dry mixture. Make sure the shrimp are well-coated with the flour mixture.
- Remove the shrimp from the flour mixture and fry them in oil for 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through, and the batter is a light golden brown.
- Remove the shrimp from the oil to a paper towel-lined baking sheet or platter. If necessary, repeat the process with any remaining shrimp.
- Serve immediately with any condiments, if desired.
Notes
- If you like a spicier dish, try adding some ground cayenne pepper to the milk and flour mixture.
- For a different flavor profile, try adding equal amounts of Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, Greek seasoning, or any other seasoning blend your family enjoys in place of the seasonings listed in the recipe.
- Work in batches if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Suggestions on how to serve and with what sides?
So good!
The spice profile was great!