Go Back
–+ servings
overhead view of fried shrimp on an enamel tray with lemon wedges.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Fried Shrimp Recipe

Fried shrimp are a summertime favorite at my house! Tender, juicy shrimp coated in seasoned breading and fried to golden perfection.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Laurel Perry

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Deep Frying Thermometer
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined; tails on or off
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
  • Lemon wedges optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • If frozen, thaw the shrimp and pat dry. Place them in a large bowl with the buttermilk. Toss to coat and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
    1 pound large shrimp, 1 cup buttermilk
    shrimp in buttermilk in a bowl.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a shallow bowl.
    ½ cup cornmeal, ¾ cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons ground paprika, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • A few at a time, shake the excess buttermilk off of the shrimp and bread them in the cornmeal mixture. Coat them completely, using your hands as needed to press the breading onto the shrimp.
    shrimp tossed in seasoned flour and cornmeal in a bowl.
  • Heat a large Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. In batches, fry the shrimp until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Stir the shrimp a little bit as they cook so they don't stick together.
    Fresh parsley, Lemon wedges
    frying shrimp in a dutch oven.
  • Remove the shrimp from the oil and place them on the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Season with another pinch of salt, parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
    fried shrimp draining on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.

Notes

  • I prefer to use vegetable oil for frying because it has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point.

Nutrition

Serving: 5shrimp | Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 1053mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg