Description
Crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos combine crunchy fried shrimp tossed in a spicy, sweet sauce with fresh cabbage and cilantro, all wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for a delightful main course with a punch of Asian-American flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Tacos
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth. Adjust sriracha to your preferred level of heat. Set the sauce aside while preparing the shrimp.
- Soak the Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
- Mix the Coating: In a separate dish, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This mixture will give the shrimp a crispy and flavorful crust.
- Heat Oil: Heat oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, ensuring there’s enough oil for shallow or deep frying. The oil should be hot but not smoking, approximately 350°F (175°C).
- Coat and Fry Shrimp: Remove shrimp from the buttermilk, dredge each piece in the flour mixture to coat thoroughly. Fry the shrimp in batches, cooking each side for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature.
- Drain and Toss in Sauce: Remove the fried shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Then, toss the crispy shrimp immediately in the prepared Bang Bang sauce to coat evenly.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or microwave until warm and pliable, ready for assembling the tacos.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place a handful of shredded cabbage on each tortilla, add a few pieces of Bang Bang shrimp on top, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro for freshness.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over for added zest and brightness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake or air-fry the shrimp instead of deep frying to reduce oil usage and calories.
- Add sliced avocado or pickled onions to the tacos for extra flavor and texture variety.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spice level of the Bang Bang sauce based on preference.
- Use either flour or corn tortillas depending on dietary preferences or availability.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-American
