Hey, y'all! Is there anything more delicious than southern fried shrimp? Making these at home couldn't be easier. The best part? Fried shrimp is incredibly versatile, working in a plethora of dishes.
Southern Fried Shrimp
Subscribe To Receive New Posts Straight In Your Inbox
Southern Fried Shrimp Ingredients
- 1 lb. raw large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tail removed
- 2 c. buttermilk
- 1 tbsp. cajun or Old Bay seasoning
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. paprika
- vegetable oil for frying
How to Make Southern Fried Shrimp
- Thoroughly rinse shrimp and drain any excess water.
- In a bowl stir together buttermilk and tablespoon of seasoning, either Cajun or Old Bay, add shrimp, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a pie plate or shallow bowl stir together flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until thoroughly combined.
- Prepare two cookie sheets with cooling racks on top of each.
- In a large Dutch oven or cast-iron pan, add 1-2 quarts of vegetable oil, oil needs to be at least 1 ½ inches deep. Using a kitchen thermometer, heat oil to 375 degrees on medium high heat.
- While oil is heating, coat shrimp. Drain off buttermilk and coat in seasoned flour and place coated shrimp on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Having all shrimp breaded before frying begins makes for an easier workflow.
- When oil is heated, fry shrimp in batches of 6-8 for 2 minutes, or until fully cooked. Carefully remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place fried shrimp on the second prepared cookie sheet to drain any excess oil. Enjoy!
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Leftover fried shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, place on a cookie sheet in a single layer and heat in an oven at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until heated through.
- To peel and devein shrimp, cut a slit along the back of the shrimp, peel off shell and remove the mud vein. Remove the tail and rinse thoroughly.
- To thaw frozen shrimp, place shrimp in a bowl and add cool tap water. Let shrimp set for 5 minutes, then run shrimp under cool tap water until completely thawed.
- To make buttermilk, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 2 cups of milk, stir and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, then use as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's recommended to use raw, fresh shrimp for the best results. If you have frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry before starting the recipe.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an air fryer. After coating the shrimp, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Classic choices include coleslaw, hushpuppies, or a simple side salad. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce like remoulade or cocktail sauce.
Shrimp cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them. Fry each batch for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Remove promptly to avoid overcooking, resulting in tender and flavorful shrimp.
Other Recipes You'll Love
Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
Southern Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb. raw large shrimp peeled, deveined, and tail removed
- 2 c. buttermilk
- 1 tbsp. cajun or Old Bay seasoning
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. paprika
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse shrimp and drain any excess water.
- In a bowl stir together buttermilk and tablespoon of seasoning, either Cajun or Old Bay, add shrimp, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a pie plate or shallow bowl stir together flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until thoroughly combined.
- Prepare two cookie sheets with cooling racks on top of each.
- In a large Dutch oven or cast-iron pan, add 1-2 quarts of vegetable oil, oil needs to be at least 1 ½ inches deep. Using a kitchen thermometer, heat oil to 375 degrees on medium high heat.
- While oil is heating, coat shrimp. Drain off buttermilk and coat in seasoned flour and place coated shrimp on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Having all shrimp breaded before frying begins makes for an easier workflow.
- When oil is heated, fry shrimp in batches of 6-8 for 2 minutes, or until fully cooked. Carefully remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place fried shrimp on the second prepared cookie sheet to drain any excess oil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Leftover fried shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, place on a cookie sheet in a single layer and heat in an oven at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until heated through.
- To peel and devein shrimp, cut a slit along the back of the shrimp, peel off shell and remove the mud vein. Remove the tail and rinse thoroughly.
- To thaw frozen shrimp, place shrimp in a bowl and add cool tap water. Let shrimp set for 5 minutes, then run shrimp under cool tap water until completely thawed.
- To make buttermilk, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 2 cups of milk, stir and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, then use as directed.
Nutrition
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
Keep Up With JCP Eats
Thank you so much for visiting the blog today! I'd love to keep in touch via social media. You can follow my content on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tik Tok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Leave a Reply