Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are a fun and tasty dish! They feature crispy shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, all wrapped in soft tortillas with fresh toppings.
What’s not to love? I often add a sprinkle of lime juice for that extra zing. These tacos are perfect for a casual dinner or taco night with friends!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Shrimp: Fresh shrimp is best for this recipe, but if you only have frozen shrimp, that works too! Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry before marinating. For a different protein, consider using chicken or tofu.
Buttermilk: This ingredient helps tenderize the shrimp and gives it great flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and letting it sit for a few minutes.
Flour & Cornstarch: The combo gives a nice crispy coating. You can use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour for a healthier or gluten-free option. If you need to omit cornstarch, try using all-purpose flour instead, though it may be less crispy.
Tortillas: I love using flour tortillas, but corn tortillas are also great and gluten-free. You can even wrap the filling in lettuce for a low-carb alternative!
Bang Bang Sauce: If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, try Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo. Sweet chili sauce is key for flavor, but you can adjust the Sriracha to your heat preference or replace it with a milder hot sauce.
How Do You Achieve the Perfectly Crispy Shrimp?
Getting that crispy coating on the shrimp is essential to this dish. Here’s how to do it right:
- Marinate the shrimp well in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This adds flavor and moisture.
- Mix the flour and cornstarch thoroughly with the spices. A good mix ensures even coating.
- Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying. If it’s not hot, the shrimp will soak up oil instead of getting crispy. A test: drop a bit of the flour mixture in; it should sizzle immediately.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet! Fry in batches to keep the temperature consistent, allowing the shrimp to fry evenly and become golden brown.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Oil for frying
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups coleslaw mix (green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
For Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust based on spice preference)
- 1 tsp lime juice
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare the ingredients and marinate the shrimp, plus an additional 15-20 minutes to fry them and assemble the tacos. You can expect to have delicious Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos ready to eat in about 1 hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Marinate the Shrimp:
Start by placing the peeled and deveined shrimp into a bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the shrimp, making sure they are well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps to keep the shrimp tender and flavorful.
2. Prepare the Coating:
While the shrimp marinates, grab another bowl and combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix them together well. This will be used to coat the shrimp for that perfect crispy texture.
3. Fry the Shrimp:
Next, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the marinated shrimp from the refrigerator and let the excess buttermilk drip off. Then, dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, ensuring they’re well coated. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, remove them from the skillet and let them drain on paper towels.
4. Make Bang Bang Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and lime juice until smooth. Adjust the amount of Sriracha according to your spice preference. This sauce adds a perfect zing to your tacos!
5. Warm the Tortillas:
Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side, or you can microwave them for a quick warm-up. This makes them pliable and perfect for filling.
6. Assemble the Tacos:
To put together your tacos, start with a handful of coleslaw mix on each tortilla. Then, add several pieces of fried shrimp on top. Drizzle generously with Bang Bang Sauce and finish by garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Your Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them immediately and delight in the crunchy, spicy, and creamy combination. Enjoy your delicious homemade tacos!
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely before marinating. You can thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or place them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge in cold water for faster results. After thawing, pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better frying.
How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
If you need a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, ensure that your tortillas are labeled gluten-free, and you can check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.
Can I Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce in Advance?
Definitely! You can make the Bang Bang Sauce up to a week ahead of time. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Give it a good stir before using, as it might thicken a bit over time. This also lets the flavors meld beautifully!
How to Store Leftover Tacos?
To store leftovers, keep the shrimp, coleslaw, and tortillas separate in airtight containers. The shrimp will stay crispy longer this way. You can refrigerate them for up to 2 days. To reheat the shrimp, place them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Assemble tacos just before serving to maintain freshness!
