Description
Crispy shrimp tacos with a spicy, creamy bang bang sauce and refreshing slaw, perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 cup shredded cabbage (green or purple)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 6–8 small flour or corn tortillas (warmed)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Optional: diced avocado, pickled onions, or extra chili sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and vinegar. Taste and adjust spice levels as needed. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place cleaned shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk. Let them soak for 10–15 minutes.
- Mix the Coating: In another bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dredge the marinated shrimp in the dry mixture, pressing lightly to coat evenly.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat about ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy.
- Toss in Sauce: In a large bowl, gently toss the crispy shrimp with half of the bang bang sauce. Reserve the rest for drizzling or dipping later.
- Make the Slaw: In a small bowl, toss shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm your tortillas, add a handful of slaw to each tortilla, top with bang bang shrimp, and drizzle with extra sauce. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and optional toppings.
Notes
For crispy shrimp, fry in batches and ensure the oil is hot. Adjust seasoning and sauce according to taste.