Hey there! I’m super excited to share my favorite method for cooking butterfly shrimp in a pan. Trust me, once you master this technique, you’ll never want to order takeout shrimp again! Let me walk you through the whole process step by step.
What You’ll Need
Essential Ingredients:
- Large shrimp (16/20 or 21/25 count)
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
- Your favorite seasonings (I love Old Bay!)
Kitchen Tools:
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Paper towels
- 3 shallow dishes for breading
- Tongs
- Slotted spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Shrimp
First things first let’s get those shrimp ready
- Peel and devein the shrimp (or buy them already cleaned – huge timesaver!)
- Pat them super dry with paper towels
- Butterfly each shrimp by cutting along the back, halfway through
- Spread them open into a butterfly shape
2. Set Up Your Breading Station
Create an assembly line with 3 shallow dishes
- Dish 1: Flour + seasonings
- Dish 2: Beaten eggs + splash of water
- Dish 3: Panko breadcrumbs
3. Bread Those Shrimp
Here’s my foolproof breading method
- Dredge in seasoned flour
- Dip in egg wash
- Coat with panko
- Place on a clean plate
Pro tip: Pop them in the fridge for 30 mins to help the coating stick better!
4. Time to Cook!
- Heat your pan over medium-high heat
- Add butter or oil (about 1-2 inches deep)
- Once hot (350°F if you’re using a thermometer)
- Add shrimp in batches – don’t crowd the pan!
- Cook 2-3 mins per side until golden brown
- Drain on paper towels
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – shrimp need space to get crispy
- Watch your heat – too hot and they’ll burn, too low and they’ll get greasy
- Don’t overcook – nobody likes rubbery shrimp!
- Skip the non-stick pan – cast iron works way better for searing
Serving Suggestions
My favorite ways to serve these crispy beauties:
- Classic style with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce
- In tacos with slaw and spicy mayo
- On a po’ boy sandwich
- Over a fresh salad
- Tossed with pasta
Storage Tips
If you somehow end up with leftovers (rarely happens at my house!):
- Store in an airtight container
- Keep in fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a pan over medium-low heat
- Best eaten fresh though – the crispy coating won’t be quite the same after storing
Final Thoughts
I gotta tell ya, mastering butterfly shrimp in a pan is totally worth the effort! It’s actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it, and the results are amazing. You’ll get restaurant-quality shrimp right in your own kitchen.
Remember: practice makes perfect! Don’t get discouraged if your first batch isn’t Instagram-worthy. Keep at it, and you’ll be a butterfly shrimp pro in no time!
Would love to hear how your shrimp turns out – drop me a comment below with your results or any questions you might have! Happy cooking!
Meet your chef, Daddy Lau
My dads been cooking Chinese food for over 50+ years, as a chef, restaurant owner, and loving father.
Why should you try my dad’s recipe?
Because my dads made this dish thousands of times (literally!) over his 50+ year career as a Chinese chef. And now, you get to learn all of his tips and techniques.
Easy & Crispy Pan Seared Buttery Shrimp Recipe – EatSimpleFood.com
FAQ
How long to cook butterfly shrimp in the pan?
Heat the oil in a large skillet or deep fryer over medium until shimmering and hot, about 350 degrees F. Place shrimp into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan and cook in batches of about 2-7, depending on the pot size. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side.
Is it best to cook shrimp in butter or oil?
When cooking shrimp on the stove, we prefer oil over butter because of oil’s higher smoke point. However, if you’d like to infuse the flavor of butter into your stove-top shrimp, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot oil just before you add the shrimp.
What’s the best way to cook frozen butterfly shrimp?
- Bring a saucepan of water to a rapid boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat, let it stop boiling, and wait 5 minutes
- Add frozen shrimp, stir, cover, and wait 5 minutes.
- Drain and serve immediately or stir into a ready-to-serve recipe.
Can you cook butterfly shrimp at home?
Splitting the shrimp open into a butterfly shape allows for quick and even cooking. The result is plump, juicy shrimp encased in a crispy, golden breading. Cooking butterfly shrimp at home is easy to do. With just a few simple ingredients and tools, you can make restaurant-worthy shrimp in the comfort of your own kitchen.
How long does it take to cook butterfly shrimp?
This dish can be made in less than 10 minutes on the stove with butter, fresh herbs, and simple seasonings. This juicy, tender shrimp is the perfect healthy protein for a busy weeknight dinner!. Butterfly shrimp is a fun and tasty way to enjoy shrimp! Splitting the shrimp open into a butterfly shape allows for quick and even cooking.
How do you cook fried butterfly shrimp?
When cooking a large amount of fried shrimp, I keep the cooked shrimp in a 200 degrees F oven. This keeps them warm and crispy until all the shrimp are finished frying. I like to serve my fried butterfly shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges, but my grandkids prefer ketchup. To each her own!
How to cook breaded butterfly shrimp?
Here are the cooking methods: Pan-frying is a popular method for cooking breaded butterfly shrimp. Here’s how: Heat about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add a few breaded shrimp to the skillet. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Are butterfly shrimp easy to make?
They are easy to make, and you can increase the portion size as much as you need so they are great for a party appetizer too. The easiest way to butterfly shrimp is to start with a thawed shrimp. The easy-peel shrimp should be deveined already, but always check!
How does frying a butterfly shrimp work?
The frying process seals in the shrimp’s moisture, ensuring a juicy interior while providing that irresistible crispy exterior that adds an element of excitement to every mouthful. The end result is a plateful of crispy butterfly shrimp that will leave seafood enthusiasts craving for more.