Southern Fried Shrimp
Crispy Southern Fried Shrimp coated in a flavorful cornmeal batter and fried to golden perfection—perfect for seafood lovers!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix buttermilk with hot sauce and add the shrimp. Let it soak for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Breading: In another bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and Old Bay seasoning.
- Coat the Shrimp: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to coat well.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Shrimp: Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Drain & Serve: Remove shrimp and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with lemon wedges and dipping sauce of choice.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for the best flavor, but frozen shrimp (thawed) works as well.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; add more cayenne for extra heat.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp—they cook quickly and should remain tender inside.