Quick, easy, and tasty seafood recipe: pan seared 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. 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. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook perfect butterfly shrimp in a pan.
Overview of Cooking Butterfly Shrimp
Butterfly shrimp refers to shrimp that have been sliced open, or butterflied, along the back and spread open into the shape of a butterfly This exposes more surface area for breading and speeds up cooking time
The basic process for cooking butterfly shrimp involves:
- Preparing the shrimp by peeling, deveining, and butterflying
- Seasoning the shrimp with spices and herbs
- Dredging the shrimp in flour, egg wash, then breadcrumbs to coat
- Frying the breaded shrimp in hot oil until golden brown
- Serving the shrimp immediately with lemon wedges and dipping sauces
When done right the shrimp turn out crispy on the outside with a tender juicy bite. The steps are easy to follow, but there are some tips and tricks to get perfect results every time.
Ingredients Needed
Cooking up a batch of butterfly shrimp requires just a handful of simple ingredients:
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Shrimp – The best shrimp to use are larger shrimp in the 16/20 or 21/25 count range. This gives you a good sized shrimp to butterfly.
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Flour – All-purpose flour helps the breading stick to the shrimp. You can use cornstarch instead for a crisper texture.
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Eggs – Lightly beaten eggs create an adhesive layer for the breadcrumbs to adhere to.
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Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs work best to give the coating a nice crunch.
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Spices – Old Bay seasoning and black pepper add great flavor. Garlic powder and paprika are also good options.
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Vegetable oil – For frying, a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut works well.
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Lemon wedges – A squirt of lemon brightens up the shrimp flavor.
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Dipping sauces – Cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy aioli complement the shrimp.
That’s really all you need for ingredients. Now let’s get into the fun part – the cooking!
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, crispy butterfly shrimp straight from your home kitchen.
1. Prep the Shrimp
Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Rinse the shrimp and pat very dry with paper towels. This helps the breading stick better later on.
Next, butterfly each shrimp by carefully sliding a sharp knife along the back of the shrimp, about halfway through the thickness of the meat. Spread the shrimp open into a butterfly shape.
Place the butterflied shrimp on a baking sheet or plate and set aside while you prepare the coating station.
2. Set Up the Coating Station
You’ll need three shallow dishes or bowls to set up your working station for breading the shrimp.
- In the first dish, mix together all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and any other dry spices you want.
- In the second dish, beat a few eggs together with 1-2 tbsp water or milk.
- Fill the third dish with panko breadcrumbs.
Line another baking sheet with wax paper. This is where you’ll place the breaded shrimp.
3. Bread the Butterfly Shrimp
With your coating station ready, start breading the shrimp:
- Dredge the shrimp thoroughly in the flour mixture and shake off excess.
- Dip the shrimp in the egg wash and let excess drip off.
- Finally, press the shrimp into the panko crumbs, fully coating both sides.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining shrimp.
I like to refrigerate the breaded shrimp for about 30 minutes before frying. This helps the coating really stick to the shrimp.
4. Fry the Butterfly Shrimp
Pour oil into a heavy skillet or pan to a depth of 1-2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F on a deep fry thermometer.
Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Keep warm in a low oven while frying the remaining shrimp.
5. Enjoy Immediately
That’s it – your hot, crispy butterfly shrimp are ready to enjoy! Serve them right away with lemon wedges, dipping sauces, and a fresh salad on the side.
The crunch factor depends a lot on serving them straight from the fryer. Leftovers can be refrigerated but won’t have quite the same crispy texture when reheated.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Shrimp
Follow these handy tips for the very best, restaurant-quality butterfly shrimp every time:
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Dry shrimp thoroughly – Moisture will make the breading soggy. Blot with paper towels and let air dry for 10-15 minutes before breading.
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Butterfly properly – Cut all the way through the thickness of the meat and spread open evenly. This prevents uneven cooking.
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Double coat – Dredge in the flour twice for a thicker barrier before the egg wash.
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Rest breaded shrimp – Letting them sit after breading allows the coating to adhere better.
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Use the right oil temp – Frying at the proper 350°F prevents scorching or raw shrimp.
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Fry in batches – Don’t overcrowd the pan which lowers the oil temp and makes shrimp greasy.
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Drain on paper towels – Letting cooked shrimp rest on paper towels wicks away excess oil for a crisper crust.
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Season at the end – Sprinkle on a pinch of salt right when they come out of the fryer.
Follow these tips and you’ll have perfect, restaurant-quality butterfly shrimp you can proudly serve to any guest!
Get Creative with Different Flavors
Once you’ve mastered the basic technique for frying up crispy butterfly shrimp, it’s fun to start experimenting with different seasoning blends and breading flavors.
Some ideas to try:
- Old Bay and lemon zest for classic seafood flavor
- Cajun spices like cayenne, paprika, garlic, and oregano for a kick of heat
- Italian herbs like basil, parsley, and grated Parmesan
- Jerk spices such as allspice, thyme, and chili powder
- Mexican flavors like cumin, chili powder, lime zest, and cilantro
You can also swap out plain panko crumbs for flavored varieties. Try garlic panko, Italian parsley panko, or panko made from cornbread, pumpernickel, or pretzels.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own signature butterfly shrimp! Playing around with global spice combos is half the fun.
Serve Up Fun Butterfly Shrimp Dishes
While crispy fried butterfly shrimp are delicious on their own, you can also incorporate them into fun appetizers, sandwiches, tacos, and more!
Some tasty ways to serve up your homemade shrimp:
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Butterfly shrimp po’ boy – Pile shrimp on a hoagie roll with lettuce, pickles, and remoulade sauce.
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Shrimp tacos – Stuff warm tortillas with crunchy shrimp, shredded cabbage, mango salsa, and avocado.
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Shrimp salad lettuce wraps – Toss chilled shrimp with celery, herbs, and a tangy dressing. Scoop into lettuce leaves.
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Bang bang shrimp pasta – Toss cooked pasta with crispy shrimp in a spicy mayo and chili sauce.
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Shrimp cocktail shooter – Layer cocktail sauce and shredded lettuce in a shot glass, top with a shrimp.
The possibilities are endless for how to serve up your homemade butterfly shrimp! They make the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to cooking butterfly shrimp, chances are you have a few questions about the process. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs.
What is the difference between regular and butterfly shrimp?
Butterfly shrimp have been sliced open along the back and spread into the shape of a butterfly before cooking. This exposes more surface area compared to shrimp that are left whole in their shell.
What size shrimp is best for butterflying?
Larger
Stove Cooking Shrimp Expert Tips
Follow the tips & tricks below to pan sear shrimp perfectly every single time:
- You can buy shrimp from the store that has already been cleaned, deveined, and shelled. I promise you this is a total lifesaver! And timesaver. If you can’t find shrimp that’s already cooked, follow these steps!
- Pat the raw shrimp dry all the way through before putting them in the pan. This again helps with the sear!.
- It makes a big difference what pan or skillet you use to sear shrimp on the stove. For any kind of searing, I suggest cast iron pans over non-stick pans. Mostly because cast iron skillets keep heat in longer, which is important for searing food. Besides that, you shouldn’t use non-stick pans on high heat.
- Make sure the shrimp are in a hot pan before you add them for a beautiful golden brown sear.
- Giving shrimp a lot of room in the pan is the key to getting them seared just right. Don’t crowd the pan! If there are too many shrimp in it, they will steam instead of sear.
- Don’t cook the shrimp too long! Shrimp that is overcooked can get tough and rubbery, which you don’t want. Shrimp only needs 4 to 6 minutes to cook all together, or 2 to 3 minutes on each side. The shrimp’s size will determine how long they need to cook, but keep an eye on them. This works great for smaller shrimp and will cook up quickly.
- Leave the shrimp alone for the most part! Don’t touch them after you spread them out until it’s time to flip them. Flip them over, and don’t touch them again until they’re done.
This juicy shrimp can be served in so many different ways! Here are my ideas:
- “Throw it in a wrap” means to put this seared shrimp on a large tortilla with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a sauce. Put it all in a wrap for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner.
- Put it on a salad. I really believe that a salad with grilled or seared shrimp on top is the best thing ever. It is one of my go-to orders at a restaurant. My Mediterranean Chopped Salad can help you make it at home!
- With a carb A source of carbs, like Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes or Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, and a vegetable make for a complete meal.
- This might be my favorite way to eat this tasty shrimp: on top of pasta. It goes fabulously with my Greek Yogurt Alfredo Pasta.
- Lettuce wraps: For low-carb lettuce wrap tips, see my tuna wraps.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy this shrimp, I can guarantee it will be delicious!
Yes, I don’t see why not! Simply thaw the frozen shrimp out before using it.
If you want to pan-sear shrimp, I suggest using a cast iron pan or skillet. A non-stick skillet won’t allow for the beautiful sear we want. Check out the Equipment section for the exact skillet I use and recommend.
The shrimp is done when it goes from being gray and slightly see-through to being white with pink and red spots. The shrimp will also develop a curl, similar to the letter “C” when it is ready. Alternatively, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the shrimp. It should reach between 120-145 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking each side of the shrimp for 2-3 minutes should do the trick. This amount of time might be a little longer if you use bigger shrimp, like jumbo shrimp. If you want to be sure the shrimp is cooked all the way through, you can always cut one in half to see. This is always the most fool-proof way!.
Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for three days at most. To warm it up, put it back in a pan over medium-low heat. Cook until just warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptions
While I believe this recipe is great as it is, you can always make changes to suit your own tastes or needs. Here are some variations:
- Putting shrimp in butterfly shapes is a fun way to change things up. It gives the shrimp a unique look and helps them cook more evenly. Here are some step by step instructions!.
- Spices: Changing the spices is the best way to make this recipe a little different. The method is the most important part of this recipe; the spices and other ingredients can be used in many different ways. Onion powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes are all great things to add. You could even use a mix that’s already been made, like taco seasoning or old bay seasoning for seafood!
- Decorations I love adding lemon wedges, lemon zest, or fresh lime juice to my food. Extra melted butter on top is also a great idea.
Looking for a different method to prepare shrimp entirely? I recommend checking out my 5-Minute Air Fryer Shrimp.