Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce is the sweet and creamy piña colada sauce served with Red Lobster’s signature Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp. The sauce provides a tropical contrast to the crispy, golden coconut coating on the shrimp and is one of the defining parts of the dish.
Red Lobster describes its Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp as hand-breaded jumbo coconut shrimp served with its piña colada sauce. The same sauce is served with the restaurant’s Coconut Shrimp Appetizer and Coconut Shrimp Platter.
If you’re looking for a Red Lobster coconut shrimp sauce recipe, a homemade copycat version can be prepared with a few simple ingredients and served with fried or baked coconut shrimp.
What Sauce Does Red Lobster Serve With Coconut Shrimp?
Red Lobster serves piña colada sauce with its Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp.
The combination includes:
- Crispy coconut-coated shrimp
- Sweet tropical piña colada sauce
- Coconut flavor
- Pineapple flavor
- Creamy texture
- Sweet and tangy finish
The sauce is designed to balance the savory fried shrimp and toasted coconut coating with a sweet tropical flavor.
Red Lobster’s current menu specifically describes the Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp as hand-breaded jumbo coconut shrimp served with piña colada sauce.
What Is Red Lobster Piña Colada Sauce?
Red Lobster’s piña colada sauce is a sweet tropical dipping sauce designed to complement coconut shrimp.
The exact restaurant formulation is proprietary, so a homemade version should be described as a copycat-style piña colada sauce, rather than the official Red Lobster recipe.
Typical copycat versions use ingredients that recreate the sauce’s characteristic combination of:
- Pineapple
- Coconut
- Creaminess
- Sweetness
- A slightly tangy tropical flavor
The goal is to create a smooth dipping sauce that complements rather than overwhelms the coconut shrimp.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Recipe
You can make a simple copycat-style coconut shrimp dipping sauce at home with a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Suggested Amount |
|---|---|
| Crushed pineapple | ½ cup |
| Pineapple juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Cream of coconut | ¼ cup |
| Mayonnaise | ½ cup |
| Powdered sugar | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Coconut extract | ¼ teaspoon |
| Lemon or lime juice | 1 teaspoon |
The quantities can be adjusted according to how sweet, creamy, or tropical you want the sauce to taste.
How to Make Coconut Shrimp Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Pineapple
Add crushed pineapple and pineapple juice to a small bowl.
If you prefer a very smooth sauce, blend the pineapple first.
Step 2: Add the Creamy Ingredients
Add mayonnaise and cream of coconut.
Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and evenly combined.
Step 3: Add Sweetness
Add powdered sugar gradually.
Taste the sauce before adding more because cream of coconut and pineapple already provide considerable sweetness.
Step 4: Add Coconut Flavor
Add a small amount of coconut extract.
A little goes a long way, so avoid adding too much.
Step 5: Add Citrus
Add lemon or lime juice.
The slight acidity helps balance the sweetness and makes the sauce taste brighter.
Step 6: Chill
Cover and refrigerate the sauce for approximately 30 minutes before serving.
Chilling allows the flavors to blend and gives the sauce a thicker dipping consistency.
What Does Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Taste Like?
The sauce has a sweet, creamy and tropical flavor.
The dominant flavors are generally:
- Pineapple
- Coconut
- Cream
- Mild citrus
- Sweetness
When paired with coconut shrimp, the sauce creates a sweet-and-savory combination.
The crispy fried coating provides texture, while the creamy sauce adds moisture and tropical flavor.
Why Does Piña Colada Sauce Pair So Well With Coconut Shrimp?
Coconut shrimp already has a naturally sweet and nutty flavor from the coconut coating.
A tropical fruit-based sauce complements that flavor without requiring a heavy savory dip.
The combination works because it provides several contrasting elements:
| Coconut Shrimp | Piña Colada Sauce |
|---|---|
| Crispy | Creamy |
| Savory | Sweet |
| Fried | Refreshing |
| Coconut-rich | Pineapple-forward |
| Warm | Cool |
| Crunchy | Smooth |
This contrast is what makes the combination popular as an appetizer or seafood entrée.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp With Piña Colada Sauce
Red Lobster currently serves its Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp with piña colada sauce and a choice of side. The menu page currently displays the entrée at $17.99 and 940 calories for the location shown, while Red Lobster instructs customers to select a location for local pricing.
The same coconut shrimp concept is also available as an appetizer.
Red Lobster also lists a Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp Platter, consisting of hand-breaded jumbo shrimp tossed in flaky coconut and fried golden brown, served with piña colada sauce.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Appetizer Sauce
The Coconut Shrimp Appetizer is served with the same signature-style piña colada sauce.
Red Lobster currently describes the appetizer as hand-breaded jumbo coconut shrimp served with its piña colada sauce.
This makes the appetizer version a good option if you specifically want the shrimp-and-sauce combination without ordering the full entrée.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Ingredients
The exact Red Lobster recipe is not publicly provided, but a copycat sauce can be built around the flavors associated with piña colada.
Pineapple
Pineapple provides the fruity and slightly acidic component.
Coconut
Cream of coconut or coconut flavoring reinforces the coconut shrimp itself.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise provides the creamy consistency needed for a dipping sauce.
Citrus
A small amount of lemon or lime juice prevents the sauce from tasting overly sweet.
Sweetener
Powdered sugar can be adjusted depending on the sweetness of the pineapple and coconut ingredients.
How to Make Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Without Mayonnaise
If you don’t want to use mayonnaise, you can make a different copycat-style tropical dipping sauce.
Try combining:
- Cream of coconut
- Crushed pineapple
- Greek yogurt
- Pineapple juice
- Lime juice
- A small amount of honey
The result will be lighter and tangier than a mayonnaise-based version.
How to Make a Creamy Coconut Shrimp Dipping Sauce
For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of pineapple juice.
For a thinner dipping sauce, add a small amount of pineapple juice or coconut milk.
For a sweeter sauce, add additional cream of coconut or powdered sugar.
For a more tropical flavor, increase the pineapple and coconut components rather than simply adding more sugar.
Is Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Sweet?
Yes. The piña colada-style profile is intended to be sweet and tropical.
The sweetness contrasts with the savory fried shrimp and complements the coconut breading.
If you are making the sauce at home, adjust the sugar according to the sweetness of your pineapple and cream of coconut.
Can You Buy Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce?
Red Lobster’s current restaurant menu identifies the sauce as piña colada sauce, but the restaurant does not present the exact proprietary sauce formula on its menu pages.
If you’re trying to recreate the flavor at home, a copycat piña colada dipping sauce is the practical approach.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce vs. Cocktail Sauce
These sauces provide very different flavor profiles.
| Feature | Piña Colada Sauce | Cocktail Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Main flavor | Sweet tropical | Tangy and savory |
| Fruit profile | Pineapple and coconut | Tomato and lemon |
| Texture | Creamy | Usually smooth |
| Sweetness | Higher | Moderate |
| Spice | Usually mild | Can have horseradish heat |
| Best pairing | Coconut shrimp | Traditional fried shrimp |
Red Lobster itself serves Walt’s Favorite Shrimp with cocktail sauce, while Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp is served with piña colada sauce.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce vs. Bang Bang Sauce
Bang bang sauce is generally creamy, sweet, and spicy, while piña colada sauce has a distinctly tropical fruit-and-coconut profile.
If you’re recreating Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp, piña colada-style sauce is the closer match.
How to Serve Coconut Shrimp Sauce
Serve the sauce chilled or cool alongside freshly cooked coconut shrimp.
For a restaurant-style presentation:
- Place the coconut shrimp on a serving plate.
- Add a small bowl of sauce in the center or alongside the shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh pineapple or lime if desired.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp are crispy.
You can also drizzle a small amount of sauce over the shrimp, but serving it separately helps preserve the crispy coating.
How Much Sauce Should You Serve?
For a standard appetizer portion, approximately 2–4 tablespoons of dipping sauce per person is a practical starting point.
If your guests prefer heavily sauced shrimp, prepare extra.
For a party platter, keep additional sauce available in a separate bowl so guests can control how much they use.
Can You Make the Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes.
A homemade coconut shrimp sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it.
Preparing the sauce in advance has two advantages:
- The flavors have time to blend.
- You can focus on cooking the shrimp immediately before serving.
Keep the sauce refrigerated and use it according to the storage guidance for its ingredients.
What to Serve With Coconut Shrimp?
Coconut shrimp and piña colada sauce can be served with a variety of sides.
Popular choices include:
- Rice
- Coleslaw
- Salad
- Steamed vegetables
- French fries
- Roasted vegetables
- Tropical fruit
- Potato sides
At Red Lobster, Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp is currently served with a choice of one side.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Family Meal
Red Lobster also currently lists a Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp Platter among its family-oriented offerings.
The platter features hand-breaded jumbo shrimp coated in flaky coconut, fried until golden brown, and served with piña colada sauce.
This can be useful when looking for a larger serving of coconut shrimp for sharing.
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Nutrition
The current Red Lobster Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp entrée is listed at 940 calories on the official menu page surfaced for this search.
Red Lobster also currently lists the Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp selection at 1,150 calories when it is chosen as one of the three entrée selections in its Create Your Own Family Feast.
The difference illustrates why nutrition information should be checked against the exact menu configuration and location.
Red Lobster states that its nutritional content can include fixed sides, condiments, and dipping sauces, while selectable sides are listed separately.
Is Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce Gluten-Free?
Do not assume that a restaurant sauce is gluten-free simply because its primary ingredients appear gluten-free.
If you have celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or another medically required restriction, consult Red Lobster’s current allergen information and speak with restaurant staff before ordering.
Red Lobster specifically directs guests to its allergen guide when someone in their party has a food allergy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sauce comes with Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp?
Red Lobster serves piña colada sauce with its Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp.
What is Red Lobster piña colada sauce made of?
Red Lobster does not publish the complete proprietary recipe on its menu. A copycat version can use pineapple, coconut, mayonnaise or another creamy ingredient, citrus, and a small amount of sweetener.
Can I make Red Lobster coconut shrimp sauce at home?
Yes. A copycat-style piña colada dipping sauce can be made with common ingredients such as pineapple, cream of coconut, mayonnaise, and citrus.
Is Red Lobster coconut shrimp served with cocktail sauce?
No. Red Lobster’s Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp is served with piña colada sauce. Its Walt’s Favorite Shrimp is the menu item specifically described as being served with cocktail sauce.
Is the coconut shrimp sauce spicy?
The piña colada-style sauce is generally sweet and tropical rather than spicy. You can add a small amount of chili sauce or cayenne to a homemade version if you want heat.
Can I use coconut cream instead of cream of coconut?
Yes, but the flavor will be less sweet. If using unsweetened coconut cream, you may need to add a sweetener and adjust the pineapple to achieve a similar tropical profile.
How long does homemade coconut shrimp sauce last?
Because homemade sauces can contain perishable ingredients, refrigerate them promptly in a covered container and follow safe food-storage practices based on the ingredients used.
Does Red Lobster sell coconut shrimp sauce separately?
The current menu pages describe piña colada sauce as the accompaniment to Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp, but they do not list the sauce as a standalone retail product.
Final Thoughts
Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Sauce is the sweet, creamy piña colada sauce that accompanies the restaurant’s Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp. It provides a tropical pineapple-and-coconut contrast to the crispy, hand-breaded shrimp.
While the exact restaurant recipe is proprietary, a homemade copycat version can be prepared with pineapple, coconut, a creamy base, citrus, and a little sweetness. For the closest Red Lobster-inspired experience, serve the sauce chilled alongside freshly cooked coconut shrimp.
Red Lobster currently offers Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp as an entrée, appetizer, and platter option, with the restaurant’s menu consistently identifying piña colada sauce as the accompanying dip.
Â
Â