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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

    Classic Restaurant Style Fried Shrimp

    Published: Aug 17, 2020 · Modified: Mar 1, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    1.2K shares
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    • Yummly
    5 from 84 votes
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    pinterest image for fried shrimp

    Do you love Crispy Fried Shrimp? When it comes to cooking shrimp, frying will always be my favorite way to prepare those delicious little morsels. Bubba Blue from Forrest Gump was right when he called shrimp, the fruit of the sea.

    golden brown fried shrimp on a white plate with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon slices

    One of my fondest memories of growing up was my father frying up a bunch of shrimp. My father had been stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana (where I was born). In Louisiana, he learned to love shrimp, which he passed on to me.

    I remember my mother buying a five-pound box of shrimp for around 5 dollars. In the sixties that was a lot of money for food, so shrimp were still a luxury for us.

    Shrimp have definitely come a long way and are readily available in most local supermarkets.

    What type of shrimp should I buy?

    I am a true believer when it comes to shrimp, and only buy Gulf or Pacific Shrimp produced by American or Mexican companies. As for size, 16-20 Jumbo Shrimp (count per pound) are my first choice. I also splurge on U-15 when they are priced right, and occasionally 26- 30 for shrimp salad. I don’t recommend buying anything smaller than 26-30 count shrimp.

    You’ll find a lot of farmed shrimp in the market from Asian and Indian waters, and I have to tell you, I don’t trust them. Those waters are questionable and we have no idea how those shrimp are processed. So when you think you’re getting a bargain, you might want to rethink what your buying.

    What ingredients do I need to make restaurant-style fried shrimp?

    overhead view of raw shrimp and two white bowls with eggwash in one and seasoned bread crumbs in another

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Restaurant Style Crispy Fried Shrimp. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Should I butterfly the Shrimp?

    This is a matter of personal preference. In restaurants, shrimp are often butterflied to make them look bigger. The trade-off is that they cook faster and the time it takes to get them that perfect golden brown might just overcook the shrimp a little.

    When you’re served shrimp that aren’t butterflied, you’ve found a restaurant that is more concerned with preserving the natural sweetness of the shrimp. And trust me, that’s a good thing.

    How do I make Restaurant-Style Crispy Fried Shrimp?

    shrimp in egg wash

    The first step in making restaurant-style fried shrimp is dipping the peeled and cleaned shrimp in an egg wash.

    How do I make an egg wash?

    You can make an egg wash many different ways and there is no right way or wrong way as long as whatever you’re frying gets completely immersed in your choice of egg wash.

    • eggs and buttermilk
    • eggs and milk
    • eggs and cream
    • eggs and water
    • just eggs

    Use about 1 ounce of liquid for every egg used. A little extra liquid won’t hurt the mixture you just don’t want to water it down too much.

    shrimp in bread crumbs

    After the egg wash, place the shrimp in seasoned bread crumbs. You can use any type that you prefer for this step, including panko, just be sure to get a good coating on the outside, covering the entire shrimp.

    Do I have to use seasoned breadcrumbs?

    No, you do not. You can use any of these options for your fried shrimp or any food you’d like to fry.

    • Plain bread crumbs. (you can add your own seasonings if you like)
    • Panko bread crumbs (seasoned or unseasoned)
    • Cracker meal
    • Gluten-Free bread crumbs of any style

    If you want to season your own bread crumbs, you can choose your favorite seasoning. I like to keep the seasoning on the mild side and let the sweetness of the shrimp shine through.

    butterfly and regular breaded shrimp on a white platter

    I breaded butterflied and just cleaned (round) shrimp to show you the difference.

    fried butterfly shrimp and fried regular shrimp on a white platter with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon slices

    Then it’s time to fry the shrimp to a beautiful golden brown. Here you can see that the butterflied shrimp look bigger.

    close up of golden brown fried shrimp on a white plate with tarter sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon slices

    Honestly, both types of my crispy fried shrimp were absolutely sweet and delicious, but the un-butterflied shrimp would still be my first choice.

    Chef Dennis tip for home frying

    When you fry foods the oils you use need to have a high smoking point. *Smoking point is the temperature it takes for the oil to start to break down and smoke.

    The oils I recommend for frying foods are peanut oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil or vegetable oil. My oil of choice is corn oil for home frying and canola in professional kitchens.

    Make sure you have enough oil in the pot to fully submerge the food you are frying. Leave enough room for the food you’re frying with an extra few inches at the top for safety. The oil will bubble and you don’t want to get burned or have a mess to clean up.

    Never add liquid to the fryer and keep a Kitchen fire extinguisher (rated for oil) nearby.

    For most deep-fried recipes, you’ll want to heat your oil to 350 – 375 degrees F. Use a long stem thermometer to check the temperature of the oil. If you’re cooking in batches make sure to give the oil time to recover before adding more food.

    Drain the fried food on baking racks over sheet pans (or baking sheets). Allowing fried food to drain removes much of the fat associated with deep-frying. Most of the fat will not penetrate the food, staying only on the outer layer (as long as the oil is hot enough)

    This half sheet pan with a wire rack is perfect for draining fried foods.

    You can reuse the oil if you filter it, cleaning out the residue that sinks to the bottom of the oil. Using big coffee filters in a stainless steel strainer will work. Just make sure the oil has cooled to a temperature you can safely handle it at.

    If you’re serious about home frying I suggest the T-Fal Deep Fryer. It’s the one I use at home for any deep-fried foods.

    overhead view of golden brown fried shrimp on a white plate with tarter sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon slices

    But the best part of my Restaurant-Style Crispy Fried Shrimp is eating them! Serve them with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, and lemon wedges. Then watch the smiles around your dinner table.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I freeze breaded shrimp?

    Yes, you can. Layout your breaded shrimp on a sheet pan or flat pan and place it in the freezer. Once the breaded food has completely frozen, place it into ziplock bags until you’re ready to fry.
    *When you do fry the shrimp, do not defrost them first. Fry while still completely frozen. They will take about 5 minutes to fully cook.

    Can I bread the shrimp ahead of time?

    Yes, you can. The only problem you’ll run into is that while sitting, prebreaded foods begin to get wet as the moisture from the food releases.
    To overcome this you would need to place the shrimp back in the breadcrumbs before frying.

    How far in advance can I bread the shrimp?

    If you do need to bread ahead of time, try not to let the breaded product sit for more than 4 hours.

    How long do I fry shrimp for?

    Fry shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the size of shrimp. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and opaque in the center.

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    golden brown fried shrimp on a white plate with tarter sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon slices
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    5 from 84 votes

    Classic Restaurant-Style Fried Shrimp

    When it comes to fried seafood, my first choice will always be fried shrimp. This restaurant-style dish is amazingly easy to make and will definitely bring smiles to your dinner table. With all the money you'll save on eating out, Fried Shrimp will become a regular menu item in your home!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 1015kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Fried Shrimp

    • 1 lb shrimp 16-20 count, peeled and cleaned
    • ¼ cup butter milk or regular milk to make egg wash
    • 2 large eggs  beaten to make egg wash
    • 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
    • corn oil for frying or vegetable oil of your choice

    Tartar Sauce

    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
    • squeeze of lemon juice

    Cocktail Sauce

    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • ½ tsp Worchestershire sauce
    • 1 tbsp prepared horseradish *more or less as to your tastes
    • squeeze of lemon juice
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Fried Shrimp

    • Preheat cooking oil to 350 -375 degrees F.
    • Peel and clean the shrimp, rinsing under cold running water.
      **this is when you can butterfly the shrimp if you like. Cut through the shrimp to open it up without completely cutting through the flesh.
    • Place the shrimp in the prepared egg wash (eggs and buttermilk mixed together), completely covering them. Remove and allow to drain briefly.
    • Place the egg-washed shrimp into the bread crumbs. Lightly pat bread crumbs onto the shrimp to completely coat.
    • Fry the shrimp until golden brown. Depending upon your frying method this could be 2-4 minutes
    • Allow shrimp to drain on a rack or paper towels before serving
    • Serve with Cocktail and tartar sauce

    Tartar Sauce

    • Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl, and refrigerate until needed.

    Cocktail Sauce

    • Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl, and refrigerate until needed.
      *If you like a spicier cocktail sauce add more horseradish.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1015kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 774mg | Sodium: 4006mg | Potassium: 681mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 796IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 610mg | Iron: 12mg
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Bonnie

      March 09, 2023 at 1:04 am

      When do you use the butter milk?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        March 09, 2023 at 7:52 am

        it mixes with the eggs to make the eggwash.

        Reply
    2. Melyo

      January 10, 2021 at 11:50 pm

      I have fried shrimp a million times, and it always turns out just fine. I wanted to make them extra-good for a celebratory dinner so I decided to do some homework- stumbled upon this recipe. Before reading Dennis’ commentary on to butterfly or not to butterfly, I always butterflied. Well, this was apparently the critical information I needed because my shrimp got RAVE reviews tonight! I used half panko, half flour (seasoned well) and just a tough of cream in the egg wash. I used a timer when adding the shrimp to the peanut oil. Truly, this article/method/recipe has changed my fried-shrimp game. Thank you, Chef Dennis!

      Reply
    3. Lathiya

      August 24, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      The fried shrimp looks so tempting and delicious. It is crispy and am sure it would be gone in minutes if served for a crowd.

      Reply
    4. Ramona

      August 24, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe makes me so hungry now. These shrimps look perfection and I love how simple is to make too. Thank you so much for all the tips Dennis!

      Reply
    5. sapana

      August 24, 2020 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      I love crispy fried food all time. Love the idea of using seasoned bread crumbs to coat thee shrimps. It must have brought the flavors to another level.

      Reply
    6. Jo

      August 24, 2020 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      Anything fried is hard to resist especially fried shrimp! Those shrimps looks absolutely delicious and addictive!

      Reply
    7. Jamie

      August 24, 2020 at 2:36 am

      5 stars
      I love the idea of using seasoned bread crumbs for this! I turned out fabulous and the sauces were delicious too!

      Reply
    8. Sara

      August 23, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      Dennis, your tips are so helpful! I love hearing your preferences on what shrimp to buy, and whether or not to butterfly the shrimp before frying it. And I’m very glad to know that I can freeze them if I make a large batch! Looking forward to enjoying this next week for dinner!

      Reply
    9. Gail Montero

      August 23, 2020 at 10:18 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot believe that restaurant style-fried shrimp is quite easy to make thanks to this fantastic recipe! Love that you gave us many options for the breading, too! Thank you!

      Reply
    10. Debbie

      August 23, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      I am a sucker for fried shrimp and your recipe is perfect. I had a pound of shrimp hiding in the freezer and had to try your recipe. The crust fried up perfectly , my family loved it !I made hush puppies and fries , it really was like a restaurant shrimp platter.

      Reply
    11. Sophie

      August 23, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      I am so glad that I found your recipe. My fried shrimps never tasted so good. They were crispy, perfectly seasoned and tasted delicious!

      Reply
    12. Moop Brown

      August 23, 2020 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      This shrimp looks so tasty and like the perfect texture and flavor. Can’t wait to try making this!

      Reply
    13. Sharon

      August 23, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      This fried shrimp recipe has all the deliciousness of a restaurant-style meal made right at home.

      Reply
    14. Emily

      August 23, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      This fried shrimp is even better than what I’ve tried at restaurants! So delicious and a fun way to cook shrimp!

      Reply
    15. Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious

      August 23, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      This restaurant style fried shrimp reminds me of a shrimp cocktail I use to order at local resteraunt in the bay area back when I was a kid. The shrimps were huge and I loved dipping them in cocktail sauce. I need to add this to my list, because your recipe takes me back to a lovely time in my childhood.

      Reply
    16. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      August 23, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good! I love how crispy they turned out and the flavor tastes just like eating out. Great recipe… will try again.

      Reply
    17. Wendy

      August 23, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this restaurant style fried shrimp recipe. My husband really enjoyed the shrimp.

      Reply
    18. Jacqueline Debono

      August 23, 2020 at 2:55 am

      5 stars
      Fried shrimp is one of my favourite appetizers to serve to guests. Yours look super good. Going to save this recipe for the next time I have friends over for dinner!

      Reply
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