Description
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are a delicious and spicy seafood dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a flavorful batter, topped with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce and fresh cabbage, all nestled inside warm flour tortillas. This recipe combines the crunch of panko-fried shrimp with the zesty kick of sriracha and sweet chili sauce, balanced with creamy avocado and fresh lime for bright, vibrant flavors perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
Tacos Assembly
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp: In a bowl, soak the shrimp in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to tenderize and flavor the shrimp, ensuring they stay juicy during frying.
- Prepare the seasoned flour: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful coating for the shrimp.
- Dredge the shrimp: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure an even coating.
- Coat with panko breadcrumbs: Dip the floured shrimp back into the buttermilk briefly, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs adhere well, creating a crispy texture after frying.
- Fry the shrimp: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the shrimp in batches for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the heat level by adding more sriracha if desired.
- Assemble the tacos: On each flour tortilla, place a handful of shredded cabbage as the base, then top with several pieces of fried shrimp. Drizzle generously with the bang bang sauce and add sliced avocado on top for creaminess.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over, adding a fresh citrus brightness that complements the spicy shrimp perfectly.
Notes
- Soaking shrimp in buttermilk tenderizes them and helps the coating stick better.
- Adjust sriracha in the sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- Fry shrimp in batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh lime wedges for an added tangy flavor boost.
- Can substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, but adjust diet tag accordingly.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Bang Bang Shrimp, Shrimp Tacos, Fried Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Easy Seafood Tacos, Sweet Chili Sauce Shrimp, Crispy Shrimp Recipes
