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12 Mouthwatering Ways to Transform Breaded Shrimp into Amazing Meals

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Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’m super excited to share some incredible ways to make those crispy breaded shrimp in your freezer into amazingly delicious dishes. As someone who’s always experimenting in the kitchen, I’ve discovered that breaded shrimp is way more versatile than just serving it with cocktail sauce!

Why Choose Breaded Shrimp?

Before we dive into the recipes let’s talk about why breaded shrimp is such a fantastic ingredient

  • Quick to prepare
  • Versatile for different dishes
  • Great texture contrast
  • Kid-friendly
  • Available year-round in stores

12 Delicious Breaded Shrimp Recipes

1. Crispy Shrimp Tacos

These aren’t your ordinary tacos! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Warm corn or flour tortillas
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Shredded cabbage
  • Pico de gallo
  • Avocado slices
  • Lime crema

Pro tip: I like to warm my tortillas on a cast-iron skillet for that slight char flavor!

2. Classic Shrimp Po’ Boy

This New Orleans favorite is super easy to make

  • French baguette
  • Crispy breaded shrimp
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Pickles
  • Remoulade sauce

3. Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Give your regular pasta night an upgrade:

  • Linguine
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Garlic butter sauce
  • White wine
  • Fresh parsley
  • Red pepper flakes

4. Loaded Shrimp Pizza

Who needs pepperoni when you’ve got shrimp? Top your pizza with:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Bell peppers
  • Fresh basil

5. Shrimp and Grits

Y’all, this Southern classic gets even better with breaded shrimp:

  • Creamy grits
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Bacon bits
  • Sharp cheddar
  • Green onions

6. Asian-Style Shrimp Fried Rice

Here’s my quick weeknight dinner solution:

  • Day-old rice
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Mixed vegetables
  • Soy sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Scrambled eggs

7. Shrimp Quesadillas

These are perfect for quick lunches:

  • Flour tortillas
  • Shredded cheese
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Sautéed peppers
  • Onions

8. Creamy Shrimp Chowder

Perfect for chilly evenings:

  • Potato base
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Corn
  • Heavy cream
  • Fresh herbs

9. Shrimp Cobb Salad

Make your salad more exciting:

  • Mixed greens
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Bacon
  • Avocado
  • Boiled eggs
  • Blue cheese

10. Banh Mi Fusion

My take on the Vietnamese classic:

  • Crusty baguette
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Pickled veggies
  • Cilantro
  • Sriracha mayo

11. Shrimp Sliders

Perfect party food:

  • Mini buns
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Coleslaw
  • Special sauce

12. Spring Roll Fusion

An East-meets-West creation:

  • Rice paper
  • Breaded shrimp
  • Rice noodles
  • Fresh herbs
  • Peanut sauce

Tips for Working with Breaded Shrimp

  1. Cooking Methods:
  • Air fryer: 8-10 mins at 400°F
  • Oven: 12-15 mins at 400°F
  • Pan-frying: 2-3 mins per side
  1. Storage Tips:
  • Fridge: Up to 3 days
  • Freezer: Up to 2 months
  • Always reheat in oven or air fryer
  1. Preventing Sogginess:
  • Don’t overcrowd when cooking
  • Drain on paper towels
  • Serve immediately when possible

FAQ

Q: Can I make these dishes with homemade breaded shrimp?
A: Absolutely! In fact, I sometimes prefer making my own coating for extra flavor control.

Q: What sauces work best?
A: My faves are:

  • Cocktail sauce
  • Tartar sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Remoulade
  • Spicy mayo

Final Thoughts

We’ve come a long way from just dipping breaded shrimp in cocktail sauce! These recipes show just how versatile this ingredient can be. I’d love to hear which ones you try – drop me a comment below!

Remember, cooking should be fun and don’t be afraid to experiment. Sometimes the best recipes come from happy accidents in the kitchen. Now, go grab that bag of breaded shrimp and start creating something amazing! ‍

[Want more recipe ideas? Check out our other seafood articles!]

what to make with breaded shrimp

How do you make fried shrimp?

Making fried shrimp is all about the crispy coating. Make the coating by mixing flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl. Beat some eggs in another bowl. Finally, pour some breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Dip the shrimp first in the flour, next in the eggs and last in the breadcrumbs. Fry the shrimp up in hot oil until they are golden brown, then serve and enjoy!

what to make with breaded shrimp

Tips for fried shrimp

  • Use the largest shrimp you can find. I use under 15 count size whenever possible, but 16/20 and 21/25 sizes both work well too.
  • When you dip the shrimp in the coating, hold them by the tail and shake off any excess as you dip them.
  • Make sure the the oil is as close to 350 degrees F as possible when you place the shrimp in the oil. The temperature of the oil will drop when the cold shrimp are placed in the oil. Don’t worry, the oil will come back up to the correct temperature as the shrimp cook.
  • Watch your heat, you don’t want the oil to go over 400 degrees F. Be sure to use a frying thermometer so that you can constantly monitor the temperature.
  • While I love these shrimp as an appetizer, they’re also great when paired with London broil for a decadent surf and turf dinner.
  • Use a kitchen spider tool to place the shrimp in the oil and take them out again.
  • Fry around 5-7 shrimp per batch depending on the size of your pot.
  • As the shrimp cook, make sure to stir them a bit so they do not clump together.

what to make with breaded shrimp

You should fry shrimp for 3-4 minutes.

For the crispiest shrimp, place the cooked shrimp on paper towels or a cooling rack in a single layer. If you stack the shrimp, the shrimp on the bottom will get soft. If you need to store the shrimp, let them cool for a few minutes and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat fried shrimp in the oven at 350 degrees F. Bake the shrimp for 10-15 minutes until hot all the way through.

It is better to fry raw shrimp, as cooked shrimp may get overdone and rubbery when it hits the hot oil.

To peel shrimp, simply use your thumb to press into the underside of the shrimp where the legs are. Peel each side of the shell back going from front to tail. Leave the last segment of the outer layer and the tail. You can devein a shrimp by making a cut along the top of the raw shrimp with a sharp paring knife. The cut should go from the front of the shrimp to the tail. Cut about 1/8 inch into the shrimp. Inside the cut you will see a dark vein. Reach in and pull it out. If it breaks apart, use the knife to scrape out the rest.

what to make with breaded shrimp

This dish is perfect as-is, but you can customize it with different flavorings and even alternate cooking techniques.

  • Baked Fried Shrimp: You can bake these shrimp instead of frying them by coating them in cooking spray, then bake on a sheet pan at 425 degrees F until browned and crisp, about 15 minutes.
  • Air Fryer Shrimp: Here is my air fryer shrimp recipe if you’re looking to air fry instead of deep fry.
  • Flavorings: Feel free to add some extra herbs and spices to the coating such as onion powder, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt or even chili powder.

I love getting fried shrimp at restaurants. With this recipe, you can have that same great flavor in the comfort of your own home.

The perfect fried shrimp recipe for any occasion!

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