Buttermilk Fried Shrimp

Get ready for a taste explosion with these mouth-watering Buttermilk Fried Shrimp. Perfectly coated in a crispy golden batter made from a blend of cornmeal, flour, black pepper, garlic powder, and a touch of hot sauce. Each bite is a symphony of textures and spices, leaving you satisfied and wanting more.

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I am still eating seafood only for Lent 2020 so I decided to share another yummy seafood recipe. Fried shrimp is one of my absolute faves ! My fried shrimp recipe has the shrimp resting in buttermilk and hot sauce before they are shaken in a seasoned flour mixture and fried to perfection. I use a small deep fryer that is made by Proctor Silex (I won it at work) but I recommend the “Fry Daddy” small deep fryer if you are in the market for a smaller one. Let get cooking.

How to peel and devein shrimp?

Peeling and deveining shrimp is a simple process:

Start by removing the head and legs.
Make a shallow cut down the back of the shrimp to reveal the vein.
Use the tip of a knife or a small spoon to remove the vein.
To peel the shrimp, grasp the top of the shell and gently pull down to remove the shell, starting from the head and working towards the tail.
If desired, remove the tail by gently twisting it to separate it from the body.

Repeat these steps for each shrimp.

Ingredients needed

1 pound extra large shrimp ( I used 16/20 size), cleaned then deveined with shell off and tails on
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon your favorite Louisiana hot sauce
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon Black pepper
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Corn meal
Vegetable or canola oil

How to deep fry Buttermilk Shrimp

In a large bowl, add cleaned shrimp
Mix together buttermilk and Louisiana hot sauce , then pour it over the shrimp
Mix the shrimp and buttermilk well so that all the shrimp are coated with the mixture- then let it sit for 3-5 minutes
In a large resealable bag , add the flour and cornmeal -then season it with your favorite Cajun seasoning , garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper
Seal the bag and shake the bag well until everything is evenly distributed
Heat your deep fryer or large pot of oil
Add the shrimp to the resealable bag and shake well until all the shrimp are coated well
Deep fry the shrimp for 3-5 minutes each batch-or until golden
Drain on a wire bakers rack (you can also use paper towel if you don’t have one )
Serve and enjoy !!

Serving suggestions

These buttermilk fried Shrimp pair very well with this Chipotle taco sauce as a dipping sauce.
Serve these shrimp on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with tartar sauce.
I also recommend serving these fried shrimp with fried rice

Glam Kitchen Tips

It is optional to leave the tails on-I leave them on because they photograph better (most restaurants leave them on for the same reason-it’s all about presentation)
Invest in a wire bakers rack-it allows you to drain the oil off the fried food while leaving them crunchy. When you use a paper towel usually the bottom of the fried piece of food may get soggy so the wire rack eliminates that
If you do not have buttermilk you can use heavy cream also as a substitute
This recipe also works well if you want to fry fish fillets , just substitute the shrimp for your fave fish of choice

How to store leftovers

Put any leftovers in a sealed airtight container and put them in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can store it in the freezer for longer periods, up to 4 months.

How to reheat leftover Buttermilk fried shrimp

To reheat leftover fried shrimp, you can use the oven, stovetop, or microwave.

Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are hot and crispy.

Stovetop: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until hot and crispy.

Microwave: Place the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Please be aware that this method might make the shrimp soft and less crispy.

FAQ

What does buttermilk do for fried food?

Buttermilk is often used as a marinade or batter ingredient for fried foods, like chicken or fish, because of its acidity and ability to tenderize the meat. The acid in the buttermilk reacts with the proteins in the food, helping to break down and tenderize the meat, making it juicy and flavorful. Additionally, the lactic acid in buttermilk can help to create a crispy, crunchy texture on the outside of the food when fried, contributing to the overall flavor and texture of the dish.

How do you keep the batter from falling off the shrimp?

You need to pat dry the shrimp using a paper towel or kitchen cloth. Dredge the shrimps with flour before coating them with the batter. The flour will help the batter to stick to the shrimp.

How do you tenderize shrimp before frying?

You can marinate them in buttermilk for some time before coating them with batter to fry.

Can you use milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can use milk instead of buttermilk when frying food. To substitute buttermilk with milk, you can add an acidic ingredient such as vinegar or lemon juice to the milk to imitate the tangy taste and acidic properties of buttermilk. To make 1 cup of buttermilk substitute, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for a few minutes before using it in your recipe.

More shrimp recipes to try next

Shrimp Rasta Pasta Recipe

Honey Hoisin Shrimp Stir-fry

Crab + Shrimp Stuffed Shells