Mastering Deep-Fried Shrimp: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal, look no further than deep-fried shrimp! This crispy and crunchy seafood dish is a favourite for many and can be made in the comfort of your own home. The key to achieving that perfect golden brown exterior and tender, sweet shrimp is all in the preparation and cooking method. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to make mouth-watering deep-fried shrimp, from preparing the shrimp and coating to frying and serving. So, get ready to impress your family and friends with restaurant-quality shrimp made right in your kitchen!

How to peel and devein shrimp

Peeling and deveining shrimp is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. Start by taking a sharp paring knife and inserting the tip just under the shell on the middle of the shrimp's back. You want to cut just deep enough to expose the vein, which will run along the back and down to the tail. With your knife, gently lift the vein out, and pull it away from the shrimp. You can also use your fingers to remove the vein, but using a knife reduces the risk of squishing the shrimp.

Once the vein is removed, you can now peel the shrimp. Start by pulling off the legs, and then gently peel the shell away from the body, starting at the tail end and working your way to the head. The shell should come off in one or two pieces. If the shrimp has a thin, transparent layer remaining on its body, you can leave this as it will come off during cooking, or you can carefully peel it off.

For butterflied shrimp, make a deeper cut along the back to expose the vein, and then cut a little deeper to butterfly the shrimp. You can now open the shrimp up, and it will resemble a butterfly shape. This method is great for shrimp that will be breaded and fried, as it ensures even cooking and a beautiful presentation.

Finally, if you prefer to keep the tail on, you can simply cut along the back to devein and then gently peel away the shell, leaving the tail intact. This method is perfect for grilled shrimp, as it allows your guests to easily pick up the shrimp by the tail, and it also looks appealing.

How to make a flour coating

Ingredients

• 1 lb of raw shrimp
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper
• 2 tsp of granulated garlic
• 1/2 cup of milk (or buttermilk)
• Oil for frying

Method

• Add the milk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp granulated garlic, and shrimp to a large bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, season the flour with the remaining salt, paprika, oregano, granulated garlic, and black pepper. Mix well.
• Remove the shrimp from the milk mixture and ensure they are well coated with the seasoned flour. You may need to coat the shrimp several times to ensure they are fully covered. You should not be able to see the shrimp under the flour.
• Heat the oil to 350-375°F.
• Fry the shrimp for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the shrimp from the oil and place them on a plate with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to make a batter

Making a batter for fried shrimp is a simple process, but there are a few different methods you can use. Here is a guide on how to make a batter, with a focus on using a deep fryer:

Firstly, prepare your shrimp by peeling, rinsing, and deveining them. You can also butterfly the shrimp by cutting along the back to open them up. This will ensure the shrimp are nice and crispy once fried.

Next, set up your dipping station. This will include a bowl of flour, a bowl of batter, and a plate for the shrimp. You can use either hand to dip and coat the shrimp, but if you want to keep one hand clean, reserve one hand for dipping in the batter and the other for coating in flour.

For a simple flour and milk batter, mix together your flour, a pinch of salt, and any other desired seasonings in a bowl. In a separate bowl, pour in your milk, buttermilk, or egg, and beat well. You can also add a little baking powder to the batter to make the crust lighter and crispier. Now, dip the shrimp in the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and then coat them in the flour.

If you want to add more crunch to your shrimp, you can double-coat them. Simply dip the shrimp back into the batter and flour a second time. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before placing the shrimp on a plate, ready for frying.

Once you have prepared your shrimp, heat your oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 350-375°F. You can use peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, all of which work well for frying shrimp.

Finally, carefully place the shrimp into the hot oil, frying only a few at a time to avoid overcrowding. Fry the shrimp for around 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove the shrimp from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.

Your crispy, fried shrimp are now ready to serve! You can serve them with a variety of sauces, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or honey mustard. Enjoy!

How to fry the shrimp

Frying the shrimp is all about getting that crispy coating. To do this, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. First, make sure you have your chosen oil heated to around 350°F in your deep fryer or heavy-bottom pan. Peanut, vegetable, canola, grapeseed, and sunflower oils are all good choices.

While the oil is heating, prepare your shrimp. If they are frozen, they should be thawed first. Then, peel and devein them, leaving the tails on if you wish for easier holding when eating. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

Next, you'll need to prepare your coating. You can use a simple flour and seasoning mix, or a flour, egg, and breadcrumb coating for extra crispiness. For a simple flour coating, mix flour with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to taste. For a classic breadcrumb coating, prepare three shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs respectively.

Now you're ready to coat your shrimp. For a simple flour coating, dip the shrimp in buttermilk and then shake off the excess before placing them in the flour mixture. For a classic breadcrumb coating, use your left hand to coat the shrimp in flour, then your right hand to dip them in the egg wash, and finally, your left hand again to coat them in breadcrumbs. Place the coated shrimp on a baking sheet and repeat until all shrimp are coated.

Once your shrimp are coated and your oil is hot, you can start frying. Fry the shrimp in batches of around 4-6 at a time, for 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. The oil temperature will drop when you add the shrimp, so make sure it comes back up to temperature as they cook. Remove the shrimp from the oil with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place them on paper towels to drain.

Your shrimp are now ready to serve! Fried shrimp go well with a variety of sauces, including tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, honey mustard, and sriracha mayo.

How to serve fried shrimp

Fried shrimp is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be served as a tasty appetizer or a main course. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make and serve mouth-watering fried shrimp, along with some side dish suggestions to elevate your meal.

Preparing the Shrimp for Frying

To begin, you'll want to peel and devein your shrimp, leaving the tail shells on if desired. Then, you'll create a batter by soaking the shrimp in a mixture of milk, salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, paprika, and oregano. This step ensures that your shrimp are full of flavour. After soaking for about 10 minutes, shake off the excess milk and coat the shrimp generously with a flour mixture. You can also try a buttermilk and Old Bay seasoned flour combination for an extra kick. Make sure to coat the shrimp thoroughly, repeating the process if necessary.

Frying the Shrimp

Heat your oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to a temperature of 350-375°F. You can use peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, depending on your preference and budget. Once the oil is hot, carefully place 4-5 shrimp at a time into the oil and fry for 1-2 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the shrimp from the hot oil, and drain them on paper towels.

Serving the Fried Shrimp

Your crispy, golden fried shrimp are now ready to be served! You can provide a variety of dipping sauces for your guests to enjoy, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, honey mustard, or even a pina colada dipping sauce for a tropical twist. Don't forget to garnish your dish with lemon wedges and parsley for a touch of freshness and colour.

Side Dish Suggestions

Fried shrimp go well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Roasted vegetables (asparagus, corn on the cob, or a mix of veggies)
• Buttered noodles
• Coleslaw (try a creamy sriracha coleslaw for a spicy kick)
• Macaroni salad
• Greek salad or mango avocado salad
• Corn salad
• Rice dishes (Cilantro jasmine rice or Spanish rice)
• Potato salad
• Au gratin potatoes
• Hush puppies
• Cheese garlic biscuits

Frequently asked questions