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Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

If you’re looking for something tasty that’s low in fat but high in protein, then these firecracker shrimp might just be what you’ve been waiting for.

What Type Of Shrimp Should I Use For This Recipe?

The best option for shrimp in this recipe is fresh or frozen raw shrimp.

If you have access to them, then they will give you much better results than canned or dried shrimp.

Canned shrimp are often treated with preservatives and artificial ingredients, so it can be difficult to tell if there is any actual seafood in them at all.

When choosing your shrimp, look for ones that aren’t broken up into pieces and don’t smell fishy.

You also want to avoid those with dark spots on their shells, as well as any that have signs of mold or rot.

These factors indicate that the shrimp were likely not handled properly when they were caught.

When buying frozen shrimp, check out our guide on how to choose the right brand.

It isn’t necessary to thaw them before cooking.

You can cook many types of shrimp, including scampi, fried shrimp, snow crab legs, tiger prawns, and even lobster tail.

But since shrimp are such small creatures, they need to be cooked quickly over direct heat, otherwise they can easily overcook and become rubbery or mushy.

For this reason, we recommend using fresh or frozen large shrimp (about 12 ounces) in this recipe.

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

What Kind Of Firecracker Sauce Should I Use?

The firecracker sauce used here is similar to sriracha sauce, but with some extra spice thrown into it.

You can serve this fiery sauce over rice or noodles, as well as on top of your shrimp.

You can also add more heat by adding any other chili peppers, such as jalapeño or habanero pepper (just make sure they aren’t too hot).

If you like things less spicy, feel free to leave them out entirely.

I made this recipe with medium-sized shrimp because I wanted my shrimp to have a little bit of crunch.

Shrimp will cook faster if they are smaller than larger ones.

Just remember not to overcook them, or else they may become tough!

How Spicy Do I Want The Firecracker Shrimp To Be?

You can adjust the level of spice on this recipe depending on your taste buds.

If you like things hotter than hot, go ahead and add more red pepper flakes.

You could also try adding some crushed chili peppers (or even chipotle chilies) if you have them around the house.

The amount of cayenne pepper used will depend on how much heat you prefer.

In general, 1 teaspoon of ground cayenne equals about 2 tablespoons of raw pepper flakes, so start with half that amount and gradually work up from there until you find the right balance between spiciness and sweetness.

Just remember, too much heat can ruin an otherwise delicious meal!

Tips for making perfect firecracker shrimp

  • Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. Frozen or canned seafood isn’t as good as fresh seafood because it doesn’t retain its flavor well after being frozen.
  • Don’t overcook the shrimp—the outside should still be slightly translucent when cooked through.
  • Make sure all of your equipment is clean before starting to cook—especially your knife and cutting board.
  • Keep everything cold while cooking—this helps ensure that your food cooks evenly.
Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

How Many Shrimp Should I Use Per Person?

The number of shrimp depends on how hungry your guests are and if they have any dietary restrictions.

You can easily double this recipe or halve it depending on how many people there will be eating this delicious dinner.

Remember, one pound of raw shrimp yields about 4 servings.

If you plan to serve more than four people, simply increase the amount of shrimp accordingly.

For example, if you only need two pounds of shrimp, cut them into fourths instead of halves.

What Type Of Breading Should I Use For The Shrimp?

You can use any kind of breading you want on your firecracker shrimp, including cornbread crumbs, flour, or even panko bread crumbs (which are Japanese-style).

If you don’t have any of those options, feel free to replace them with plain old seasoned flour, which will work well too.

The secret ingredient here is really all about getting the shrimp nice and crispy so they taste good when you eat them.

That means adding oil to the pan as soon as you put it over medium heat and cooking the shrimp until they turn golden brown.

You also need to flip them halfway through the cooking process because if you leave them in one spot too long, the outside gets burnt while the inside stays uncooked.

But once you master this technique, there are no limits to how much fun you can have making food with shrimp!

How Do I Cook The Shrimp?

The first step in making this delicious seafood dish is to prepare it correctly.

Shrimp are fairly delicate creatures, so if you don’t have them cooked properly they will end up falling apart when you try to eat them.

To ensure your shrimp stay intact during cooking, here are some tips on how to best prep and cook the shrimps.

  • Remove any excess shells from the shrimps before boiling or frying.
  • Before putting the shrimp into the pan, give each one an extra coat of salt.
  • Do not add more than 1/4 cup of water while cooking the shrimp because you want to keep them moist when they’re done. If you need additional liquid feel free to add more once the shrimp start getting soft.
  • When adding the oil to the pan, remember to let the oil heat up before adding the shrimp, as well as turn off the flame after adding the shrimp.
  • To avoid crowding the shrimp, place two pieces of paper towel over the top of the shrimp before placing them into the pan. Letting the steam escape helps prevent the shrimp from sticking together.
  • Use tongs to remove the shrimp from the pan once they reach the desired level of crispiness. You can also simply pull them out by hand, but make sure to put the paper towels back on top to absorb the grease.
Firecracker Shrimp Recipe3

What Should I Serve With The Firecracker Shrimp?

This is one of those recipes where there are no rules or restrictions on how it can be served – so feel free to experiment!

You could add a little bit of chili sauce if you want some heat (and don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone), and top it off with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, finely chopped onion, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, or whatever else takes your fancy.

You could also put it in a bowl and mix everything up together before serving.

If you like more spice, go ahead and pour extra hot sauce over the top, but remember to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

How Long Will This Recipe Take To Make?

The total time it takes to prepare these delicious shrimp depends on how hungry you are when you start cooking them.

If you want to serve them immediately after they’re cooked, then you can expect to spend about 20 minutes or less.

But if you want to wait until later so everyone has enough time to eat, then you can expect to have leftovers!

What Are The Nutritional Facts For This Recipe?

Calories: 646 per serving

  • Fat: 4g per serving
  • Sodium: 782mg per serving
  • Protein: 44g per serving
  • Carbs: 12g per serving
  • Fiber: 1g per serving

In addition to being delicious, this recipe is also very healthy!

If you want more information on all of the ingredients used here, scroll down to see their individual nutrition charts.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?

You can certainly prepare this recipe up to 24 hours before serving it.

It will hold up well if you keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to eat (within 2-3 days).

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe3

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

Canned shrimp are often treated with preservatives and artificial ingredients, so it can be difficult to tell if there is any actual seafood in them at all.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Firecracker Shrimp Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 84kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pan

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chili-garlic sauce
  • 2 tablespoons spicy chili oil
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the chili-garlic sauce, chile oil, sriracha, vinegar, honey, cayenne, lime juice, a little salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine. This is the glaze and marinade for your firecracker shrimp.
  • Half of the firecracker shrimp marinade should be added to the bowl with the shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp completely. Even though you can cook right away if you want to, refrigerate for five to ten minutes.
  • A big pan with medium heat is used to heat the olive oil. When the shrimp is pink and fully cooked, add it and sauté it for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  • Apply the leftover firecracker shrimp glaze with a brush. Save any marinade or glaze that is left over for serving.
  • Decorate and serve!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1540mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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