Southern fried shrimp is a classic dish that’s both flavorful and comforting. Here’s a simple recipe to make it at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
- Prep the Shrimp:
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. If desired, you can leave the tails on for presentation.
- Prepare the Dredging Station:
- In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This will be your dredging mixture.
- In another shallow dish, beat the eggs and milk together to create an egg wash.
- Coat the Shrimp:
- Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Take each shrimp and dredge it in the flour mixture, coating it evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- Dip the coated shrimp into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Dredge the shrimp again in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the flour coating.
- Fry the Shrimp:
- Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Fry the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Once done, remove the shrimp from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve:
- Serve the southern fried shrimp hot, with your favorite dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or remoulade.
- You can also serve them with sides like coleslaw, fries, hush puppies, or cornbread for a complete southern meal.
Enjoy your crispy and delicious southern fried shrimp!
