Demystifying Red Lobster’s Crispy Dragon Shrimp: A Close Look at This Tantalizing Dish

Crispy, crunchy shrimp drizzled in a sweet and spicy Asian sauce. One bite and your tastebuds ignite with flavor! This is the essence of Red Lobster’s beloved Crispy Dragon Shrimp. But what exactly is this dish that has diners flocking to Red Lobster just to get their crispy shrimp fix? Let’s unravel the mysteries of this menu favorite.

A Brief History of Crispy Dragon Shrimp

Crispy Dragon Shrimp first joined the Red Lobster menu in 2015 as a limited time offer It quickly became a guest favorite thanks to its crispy coated shrimp bathed in a craveable sweet and spicy ginger sauce Within months it earned a permanent spot on the menu where it remains a staple years later.

The dish builds on Red Lobster’s reputation for succulent shrimp and their skill with craveable signature sauces. It demonstrates the restaurant’s ability to blend classic seafood with on-trend flavors to keep their menu exciting. Crispy Dragon Shrimp is now a Red Lobster classic.

What Makes It So Addicting?

So what is it about Crispy Dragon Shrimp that keeps guests coming back for more? Three key components set this dish apart:

Crispy, Craggy Coating – Each shrimp gets coated in a thin, delicate tempura batter then fried until golden and crisp This creates fabulous crunch and texture contrast to the tender shrimp inside

Sweet and Spicy Ginger Sauce – The sauce mixes sticky sweet flavors like brown sugar and honey with spicy ginger heat and savory garlic. It coats each shrimp with addictive flavor down to the last sticky drop.

Fresh, Plump Shrimp – Red Lobster uses only the highest quality shrimp for their Crispy Dragon Shrimp. Each shrimp is succulent and bursting with sweet briny flavor that pairs perfectly with the sauce.

With flavors running the gamut from sweet to spicy to salty and crunchy, it’s easy to see why this dish is so craveable. It hits all the right notes on the flavor and texture spectrum.

How is Crispy Dragon Shrimp Prepared?

Making restaurant-quality Crispy Dragon Shrimp takes skill and care:

• Each shrimp is hand-breaded in a light, airy tempura batter seasoned with savory toasted sesame oil and ginger.

• The battered shrimp is fried in small batches at a high heat until the coating is ultra crispy and the shrimp is cooked through.

• The sticky sweet and spicy ginger sauce is prepared fresh daily with quality ingredients.

• The fried shrimp get tossed in the signature sauce, coating each piece from head to tail.

• It is plated with green onions and sesame seeds then served hot and crispy right out of the fryer.

This careful prep is why Crispy Dragon Shrimp at Red Lobster achieves that perfect crunch and flavor balance in each bite.

What’s in the Sweet and Spicy Sauce?

As the star of this dish, Red Lobster’s signature sweet and spicy ginger sauce is crafted with care using quality ingredients:

• Brown sugar adds sticky sweetness along with subtle molasses notes.

• Honey boosts the sweet factor while lending a thick, glossy texture.

• Rice vinegar provides a bright acidic punch to balance the sweet.

• Garlic brings an aromatic, savory undertone.

• Ginger gives the sauce its namesake spice and subtle heat.

• Chili sauce amps up the heat for a slow, lingering burn.

• Sesame oil adds nutty, toasted sesame flavor.

This sauce is truly the crowning glory of Crispy Dragon Shrimp, elevating simple fried shrimp to rockstar status. Just a spoonful proves it’s addictively good.

Customizing Your Crispy Dragon Shrimp

One of the best things about Crispy Dragon Shrimp is its customization options. Red Lobster makes it easy to tailor the heat level and flavors to your preferences:

• Request mild, medium, or hot spice level for the sauce.

• Ask for extra sauce on the side for dipping if you really love it.

• Substitute grilled chicken if you want a non-seafood option.

• Pair it with white or fried rice to mellow the sauce’s impact.

• Order an extra side of the sweet chili sauce for topping other dishes.

• Ask for extra green onions and sesame seeds to heighten flavors.

Thanks to this versatility, Crispy Dragon Shrimp satisfies a wide range of tastes, from mild to extreme spice lovers.

Enjoying Crispy Dragon Shrimp at Home

Can’t get enough of this dish between Red Lobster visits? You can recreate Crispy Dragon Shrimp at home using a few simple tricks:

• Find tempura batter mix at the Asian section of most grocery stores for easy crispy shrimp.

• Buy pre-made sweet chili sauce or ginger stir-fry sauce to mimic Red Lobster’s addictive sauce.

• Coat shrimp in cornstarch before battering and frying for extra crispy crunch.

• Toss cooked shrimp in sauce then spread on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.

• Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

While it may not be exactly like Red Lobster’s secret recipe, a homemade version still satisfies when you are jonesing for this Crispy Dragon Shrimp.

Why Crispy Dragon Shrimp is a Red Lobster Favorite

From its crispy, crunchy coating to its sticky sweet and spicy ginger sauce, it’s easy to see why Crispy Dragon Shrimp is a guest favorite at Red Lobster. Its combination of flavors and textures is craveable and unique. This dish deserves its place in the Red Lobster hall of fame.

The next time that crispy shrimp craving hits, head to Red Lobster and order this menu all-star. Just make sure to order extra napkins – this dragon shrimp is finger-licking good! The flavors will have your tastebuds breathing fire in the best possible way.