Another delicious Longhorn’s copycat recipe is Wild West Shrimp, which is made with mostly pantry staples and is full of amazing flavor. It’s a simple appetizer that will please everyone.
Grab a bite of this Parmesan Crusted Chicken, which is another Longhorn Copycat recipe. This simple meal makes juicy, tasty chicken that’s ready to eat in just an hour.
This Longhorn’s Wild West Shrimp is so tasty that you’ll want to make it for any reason. But you don’t need a reason because it’s quick and easy to make, so you can fry up a batch whenever you want!
We love making this as a fun weekend snack! Or even to enjoy when company is over. However, you could easily make this the main meal by serving a few side dishes with it!.
Longhorn Steakhouse’s Wild West Shrimp appetizer is a fan favorite, featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a spicy and buttery sauce. With a ranch dipping sauce for dunking, it’s easy to polish off a plate of these addictive shrimp! As a home cook and food blogger, I set out to crack the code on recreating the flavors of Longhorn’s famous shrimp. After plenty of kitchen testing, I’m sharing my from-scratch recipe for copycat Wild West Shrimp.
With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can make these restaurant-quality shrimp at home. Crunchy breading envelops tender shrimp, and the savory sauce flavored with garlic, lemon, and cherry peppers elevates this appetizer Served alongside creamy ranch dressing for dipping, it makes for an irresistible starter or snack
Follow my step-by-step recipe below to learn how to make crisp, juicy shrimp in the signature Wild West style. Once you master the method, this will become a go-to for entertaining or whenever the Longhorn’s craving hits. Let’s saddle up and get cooking!
Overview of the Wild West Shrimp Recipe
The process involves breading and frying shrimp, then tossing them in a quick cherry pepper sauce. Here’s a high-level overview before we get into the nitty gritty details:
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Bread and fry shrimp – The shrimp gets dredged in flour, dipped in milk, then coated again in flour for a crispy crust. Fry until golden brown.
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Make sauce – Melt butter with garlic lemon juice and chopped cherry peppers for a bright spicy flavor.
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Toss shrimp in sauce – Mix the fried shrimp and cherry pepper sauce together for maximum coverage.
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Serve with ranch – Offer creamy ranch dressing alongside for dipping the saucy shrimp
Now let’s walk through each step to learn how to nail these fan favorite appetizers at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the shrimp:
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1⁄2 cups flour
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- Peanut oil for frying
- Longhorn Steakhouse Prairie Dust seasoning
For the sauce:
- 1⁄2 cup butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 6 cherry peppers, chopped
For serving:
- Ranch dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for crispy, flavor-packed copycat Wild West Shrimp.
Bread and Fry the Shrimp
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Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Set up your breading station with flour, milk, and more flour in separate bowls. Mix the first flour with salt and pepper.
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Working one at a time, dredge the shrimp in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
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Dip in the milk, allowing excess to drip off.
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Toss in the second batch of plain flour, coating well and shaking off extra.
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In a heavy pan or pot, heat 1-2 inches of oil to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
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Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with Prairie Dust seasoning.
Make the Cherry Pepper Sauce
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In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
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Add the minced garlic and lemon juice and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
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Stir in the chopped cherry peppers. Cook 1 more minute.
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Remove pan from heat.
Toss the Shrimp and Serve
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Add the fried shrimp to the cherry pepper sauce. Gently toss to coat.
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Transfer shrimp to a platter and serve warm with ranch dressing for dipping.
That’s all it takes to make these restaurant-quality spicy shrimp at home!
Tips for Crispy, Juicy Shrimp
Here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up for excellent homemade fried shrimp:
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Make sure oil is at proper temp before frying. Use a thermometer and wait for it to reach 350°F.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook shrimp in batches.
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Shake off excess flour after breading to prevent gummy coating.
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Fry just until golden brown, not darker. They’ll get tough if overcooked.
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Let oil come back up to temp between batches for crispiest crust.
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Blot fried shrimp on paper towels to remove excess grease.
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Toss in sauce while still warm so it sticks nicely.
How to Choose Shrimp for This Recipe
The best shrimp to use for crispy frying are:
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Peeled and deveined – Removing the shell helps the breading adhere better
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Tail on – Gives you something to hold onto while eating!
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Medium size – Not too small or large
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Raw or pre-cooked – Both work fine
Ask the person at the seafood counter for recommendations if you’re unsure which shrimp to select.
Make It a Meal
While these shrimp shine on their own as an appetizer, you can make it a full meal by pairing with these sides:
- Longhorn loaded baked potato
- Cowboy corn on the cob
- House or Caesar salad
- Cheesy skillet corn bread
However you choose to enjoy them, these copycat shrimp deliver big flavor just like the Longhorn original. The combination of crunchy, spice, and rich butter sauce is irresistible. Dip into that cool, creamy ranch for the perfect bite.
Now you can satisfy those Longhorn cravings any time the mood strikes. Impress your family and friends with your shrimp frying skills. I’d love to hear how this recipe works out when you make it yourself. Saddle up and get cooking, partner!
Helpful Tips When Making Wild West Shrimp!
- When cooking with oil, keep a close eye on the temperature of the oil. We want it to be just below 350 degrees so the shrimp breading cooks right. The shrimp will get oily if the oil is too cold. If the oil is too hot, on the other hand, they won’t cook all the way through! Also, make sure to use a Dutch oven or skillet with a heavy bottom!
- Set Aside Seasoning—Remember to save a tablespoon of the seasoning you made at the start of the recipe. This seasoning is called “prairie dust” at Longhorn Steakhouse, and it’s great on shrimp as a last touch!
- Dredging Station—Set up a dredging station to make the drawing process easier. In one bowl, mix the garlic paste and buttermilk. In a different bowl, mix the flour with the spices. Also, have a large plate or baking sheet with paper towels ready to put the dredged shrimp on until you’re ready to fry them!
- Serving: This wild west shrimp tastes best when it’s warm and paired with ranch. You can also eat it with other appetizers and a tasty drink.
This recipe for Longhorn Wild West Shrimp makes an excellent appetizer. We enjoy it most while cheering on our favorite sports team or enjoying a game night at home!.
Another great way to eat shrimp is as a snack. Try this Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe or serve it with my homemade shrimp cocktail sauce.
In order to make sure that no one goes hungry, you might want to serve this wild west shrimp with some other snacks. My Pineapple Tequila Meatballs and Cowboy Caviar are two options.
What Can I Use Instead Of Garlic Paste?
Garlic powder can replace the garlic paste in this recipe. To do this, you’ll need 3/4 teaspoons of garlic powder.
How to make LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE’S | Wild West Shrimp
How do you cook wild west shrimp?
Pour butter and peppers over the shrimp and serve with ranch dressing. Wild West Shrimp is my favorite appetizer. This copycat recipe is crunchy, crispy and seasoned to perfection. Heat 1″ oil on medium high heat. In a medium bowl add a dash of salt and pepper to the cup of flour. Dredge shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes or until golden brown.
Can I eat raw shrimp?
Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.
What makes Wild West Shrimp a good appetizer?
Prairie Dust Ingredients such as paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili powder really make the shrimp pop! And spicy cherry peppers and garlic butter ensure your buds won’t be anything but satisfied! Texture: Wild West Shrimp is the perfect deep-fried breaded appetizer!
Does longhorn Wild West shrimp have a ranch dipping sauce?
The Longhorn Wild West Shrimp is SO delicious and flavorful with cherry peppers, a bit of spice, and, of course, a ranch dipping sauce! Yep, I am on a mission to recreate all my favorite side dishes and appetizers from Longhorn. Every time we go there, the trip isn’t complete without getting some of their Wild West Shrimp.