Description
Spicy bang bang shrimp tacos bring coastal California flavors to your dinner table with crispy prawns and zesty sauce. Quick and irresistible, these tacos will make you crave more with their perfect blend of crunch and creamy heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
Breading and Seasoning:
- 3/4 cup corn starch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Frying and Sauce Ingredients:
- Peanut oil or Canola oil for frying shrimp
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
- 3 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce, or to taste
Taco Components:
- 8 to 12 small white corn tortillas, or hard taco shells
- 3 cups purple or green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp by removing shells and veins. Create a zesty marinade using buttermilk and spices. Immerse shrimp completely, allowing flavors to penetrate for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat cooking oil to 375°F in a deep pot. Carefully remove shrimp from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Generously coat each piece with cornstarch, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully lower shrimp into hot oil, frying in small batches for 2-3 minutes. Rotate pieces midway to achieve uniform golden-brown crispiness. Remove with a slotted spoon, placing on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Craft the signature Bang Bang sauce by whisking mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Adjust Sriracha quantity to match desired spice level.
- Gently toss crispy shrimp in half of the prepared sauce, allowing them to marinate for 10 minutes and absorb rich flavors.
- Warm tortillas over direct flame or skillet until lightly charred. Layer with crispy sauce-coated shrimp, fresh shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
- Finish tacos by drizzling remaining Bang Bang sauce and squeezing fresh lime juice for a bright, tangy complement.
Notes
- Marinate shrimp in buttermilk for at least 15-20 minutes to help tenderize and infuse deeper flavor into the seafood.
- Use cornstarch for an extra crispy coating by ensuring shrimp are completely dry before dredging to prevent oil splattering.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature around 375°F for perfectly golden and crisp shrimp without becoming greasy or soggy.
- Customize heat levels in Bang Bang sauce by adjusting Sriracha quantity to suit individual spice preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg