Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp Bold Flavor Dish

Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp  – The bold, flavorful Chinese dish that is red lobster dragon shrimp balances sweetness, spicines and savouriness perfectly. With crispy, fried shrimp coated in a spicy but vaguely sweet dragon sauce, this is also a downright satisfying, crave-worthy dish.” They’re dusted very lightly and fried until golden, then coated generously in a classic dragon glaze that marries flavors of chili, garlic and soy for an intense richness. Sprinkled with chopped fresh green onions and sesame seeds, adding touch of color and freshness to the grease of every bite.

Typically served with a side of rice or fresh veggies, the Dragon Shrimp can stand alone as a whole meal by itself, or share the space with other seafood favorites for a surf-and-turf finish. Perfect for anyone who loves their heat but still wants a touch of sweetness, the dish has become a fan favorite for a reason. Whether you’re a seafood superfan or just seek out any opportunity you can find to jazz up your meal, the Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp offers a huge crunch factor and flavor that hit hard. It’s a modern approach to the classics of shrimp cooking, a great example of how Red Lobster continues to evolve by capturing bright flavors.

Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tails removed)

• 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

For the Dragon Sauce:

• ½ cup sweet chili sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust based on spice level)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Preparing the Shrimp:

• Place all the cleaned, peeled, and deveined shrimp in a large bowl.
• Cover them with buttermilk and make sure they are completely submerged.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
• This tenderizes the shrimp before frying them so that the coating holds better when you fry them.

2. Get Ready for the Dry Coating:

• In a second large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper until everything is evenly mixed and there is a well combined seasoned flour mixture that will give the shrimp that crispy crust they desire.

3. Prepare the Dragon Sauce:

• While the shrimp are marinating, grab a small saucepan and mix together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Add all into saucepan. Turn on medium heat and allow the sauce to simmer for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your liking and the flavors have melded together.
• Take off the heat and let it cool slightly so you can fry the shrimp.

4. Warm the Oil:

• Fill a deep frying pan or deep fryer with vegetable oil (big enough to cover the shrimp) and then bring it to 350°F (175°C) over medium-high heat (keep an eye on the temperature so it stays at the same level — it ‘s what gets those shrimp super crisp).

5. Coating and Frying the Shrimp:

• Remove a few shrimp from the buttermilk at a time, and allow the excess to drain off.
• Cover each shrimp with the seasoned flour mixture, and press the flour down on them to coat completely.
• Place the coated shrimp in the hot oil in small batches to keep the pan from overcrowding.
• Fry the shrimp for 2–3 minutes on each side, with a flip once, until browned and crisp.
• Transfer the fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

6. Toss the Shrimp in Dragon Sauce:

• Put the fried shrimp into a large clean mixing bowl, and then drizzle the warm dragon sauce over them liberally.
• Gently toss with a spatula or large spoon to make sure all the shrimp are coated evenly with the spicy/sweet glaze without breaking up the deliciously crisp coating.

7. Garnish and Serve:

• Cut the sauced shrimp into smaller pieces and add to a serving platter.
• Add the chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds to the shrimp, and evenly sprinkle them over the sauced shrimp.
• Serve hot and crispy Dragon Shrimp over steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or even an easy salad as a main dish.

Tips for Success:

• It is important to fry the shrimp in small batches, for when you fry them all they will be overcooked and not crispy enough.
• Taste your dragon sauce before you mix it with the shrimp and add more or less sriracha/ red pepper flakes or whatever spice you like based on your preference.
• If you like your shrimp more crispy you can double coat them by dipping them again in the buttermilk / flour mixture and then frying again.