Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe: Crispy Gulf Coast Perfection
Introduction
Southern Fried Shrimp is a beloved Southern classic known for its crispy coating, tender texture, and flavorful seasoning. It easily ranks among my top ten favorite foods, but there are some things about fried shrimp I want to share with you before I share my favorite Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe.
Living along Florida’s Gulf Coast, I look forward to shrimp season every year. Fresh shrimp are one of the many pleasures of coastal living, and nothing beats a platter of hot, golden fried shrimp fresh from the fryer.
Traditionally, shrimp are coated in a seasoned mixture of cornmeal and flour before frying. While I grew up eating shrimp prepared that way, several years ago I was introduced to cracker meal as an alternative coating. Since then, it has become my preferred choice for frying shrimp and fish. Why? Because cracker meal creates a lighter, crunchier coating without feeling heavy or overly thick.
Southern Fried Shrimp is typically seasoned with simple pantry staples such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. The shrimp are fried until golden brown, while keeping the inside tender and juicy and creating a crispy exterior. They can be served as an appetizer, a main course, a seafood platter, a po’boy sandwich, or even alongside creamy grits.
Deep-frying seafood has long been a Southern tradition. With abundant access to fresh shrimp from coastal waters, shrimp quickly became a staple throughout the South. Whether served at a backyard fish fry, family reunion, church gathering, or summer cookout, Southern Fried Shrimp has a way of bringing people together around the table.
Have a seat and stay awhile. I’ll show you just how easy it is to fry up a batch of crispy Southern Fried Shrimp at home.
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Why You’ll Love This Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
- Crispy golden coating
- Tender, juicy shrimp
- Easy to make
- Perfect for fish fries and family dinners
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe Ingredients Needed
To fry shrimp perfectly, gather these essential ingredients:
- Fresh shrimp, peeled, deveined, and butterflied.
- All-purpose flour and cornmeal, or cracker meal for extra crunch
- Eggs for binding the coating
- Chopped onion, jalapeños, or green peppers (optional)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
- Vegetable oil for frying
Helpful Tips for Success With Your Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
- Choose fresh shrimp whenever possible for the best flavor and texture.
- Use large or jumbo shrimp for frying.
- Pat shrimp dry before breading to help the coating adhere.
- Use a light coating of flour, cornmeal, or cracker meal.
- Maintain the oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F.
- Fry shrimp in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Shrimp cook quickly, usually in 2 to 3 minutes per side. Avoid overcooking, which can make them tough.
My Favorite Crispy Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
Growing up, fried shrimp was always a special treat. Whether it came fresh from the Gulf or was served at a family fish fry, there was nothing better than biting into a crispy, golden shrimp fresh from the fryer. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different breading techniques, but this recipe remains one of my favorites. It’s simple, dependable, and packed with Southern flavor. I hope it becomes a favorite at your table, too.
Crispy Southern Fried Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 deep fryer or
Ingredients
- 2 lbs large-extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- vegetable oil
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Batter
- 2½ cups cracker meal
- 2 tsps sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- 2 tsps onion powder
Instructions
- Gather the vegetable oil and a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron skillet.
- Take a baking sheet and line it with paper towels, placing a cooling rack inside the pan to drain shrimp once cooked. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk together the cracker meal, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Start coating the shrimp by first adding them into the egg wash, just a few at a time, making sure to coat each one well. Next, remove them from the egg wash and drop them into the cracker meal mix, coating them completely. Place on a plate while breading the remaining shrimp.
- Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, 350℉-375℉. Use a deep fry thermometer to make sure the oil is at the correct temperature.
- Once the vegetable oil reaches the correct temperature, drop the coated shrimp into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd your pot. Shrimp cooks fast, so you don't fry for too long-about 3 minutes. Remove from the oil and let them drain on the baking sheet. Continue until you have fried all the shrimp.
- Serve immediately with tartar sauce or your favorite seafood dipping sauce.
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Notes
Nutrition
Whenever I serve Southern Fried Shrimp, I like to turn it into a complete feast. There’s something special about gathering around a table filled with crispy shrimp, creamy coleslaw, hushpuppies, baked beans, sweet tea, and a homemade dessert. These are the recipes I reach for time and time again because they pair beautifully with fried shrimp and help create a meal that family and friends will remember.
What to Serve with Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
Here are some of the South’s favorite side dishes to serve with fried shrimp:
Southern Coleslaw
Cool, creamy, and crunchy, Southern coleslaw provides the perfect contrast to hot, crispy fried shrimp.
👉 Get the Recipe: Southern Coleslaw
Southern Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky, and hearty, baked beans are a classic side dish that goes beautifully with seafood.
👉 Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans
Southern Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad with eggs and pickle relish is a cookout favorite that belongs on every Southern table.
👉 Get the Recipe: Southern Potato Salad
Southern Hush Puppies
Golden-brown hushpuppies are a Southern seafood tradition and the perfect companion to fried shrimp.
👉 Get the Recipe: Southern Hush Puppies
Sweet Tea
No Southern shrimp feast is complete without a tall glass of refreshing sweet iced tea.
👉 Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea
Banana Pudding
Finish your meal with a classic Southern dessert that is cool, creamy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
👉 Get the Recipe: No-Bake Banana Pudding
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Frozen shrimp can yield excellent results when thawed properly. Thaw the shrimp completely before frying and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating stick and promotes even cooking.
How do I keep fried shrimp crispy?
Drain fried shrimp on a wire rack rather than paper towels. If you’re cooking multiple batches, place the shrimp in a warm oven (about 200°F) until ready to serve. Fry in small batches and avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain a crisp texture.
Can I make fried shrimp ahead of time?
Southern Fried Shrimp is best served immediately after frying. While leftovers can be reheated in the oven the next day, nothing compares to the crispy texture and flavor of shrimp fresh from the fryer.
What size shrimp is best for frying?
Large and jumbo shrimp are my favorites for frying. They’re big enough to stay juicy inside while developing a perfectly crispy exterior.
Want to learn more about selecting, preparing, butterflying, breading, and frying shrimp? Visit my Complete Guide to Southern Fried Shrimp for additional tips and techniques that will help you fry shrimp with confidence.
Conclusion
Nothing says Southern hospitality quite like a platter of golden, crispy fried shrimp. With its crunchy seasoned coating and tender, juicy interior, this recipe is perfect for family dinners, fish fries, backyard gatherings, and special occasions. Using simple ingredients and a few easy techniques, you’ll be serving restaurant-quality Southern Fried Shrimp right from your own kitchen.
The shrimp are running, the boats are out, and supper is waiting.
Let’s get cooking!
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy shrimp, and that’s pretty close.”
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