Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp is one of the restaurant’s most popular seafood appetizers, loved for its irresistible combination of crispy fried shrimp, sweet chili sauce, and bold Asian-inspired flavors. Each shrimp is lightly battered and fried until perfectly golden, then tossed in the signature Dragon Sauce—a mouthwatering blend of sweet chili, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of spicy heat. Finished with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds, every bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, savory, and crunchy flavors that seafood lovers crave.
Whether you’re looking for a shareable starter or a flavorful main course, Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp is a must-try menu favorite. Pair it with steamed rice, fresh vegetables, or your favorite seafood entrée for a complete restaurant-style meal. Its crispy texture, bold garlic-chili glaze, and restaurant-quality taste make it an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys spicy shrimp recipes or Asian-inspired seafood dishes. If you’re searching for one of the best Red Lobster appetizers or wondering what to order at Red Lobster, Dragon Shrimp is a delicious option that delivers big flavor in every bite.
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:
- Put together in a big bowl the cleaned, deveined and peeled shrimp.
- Pour on them buttermilk and cover them well until they are completely covered.
- Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge at least 30 minutes.
- This makes the shrimp tender before deep frying them so that the coating does not fall off when you fry them.
2. Get Ready for the Dry Coating:
- In a second large bowl whisk together all purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt, and black pepper until everything is evenly incorporated and there exists a uniform seasoned flour mixture that will help in giving the shrimp that crusty coating that they so desire.
3. Prepare the Dragon Sauce:
- Meanwhile as the shrimp marinades, prepare sauce by adding sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes on a small saucepan and stir.
- Pour everything into saucepan. Put medium heat and bring the sauce to simmer on it, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to the desired consistency and the flavors combined well, it takes approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the heat and cool it down a little to enable you to fry the shrimp.
4. Warm the Oil:
- Add the vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or deep fryer (enough to cover the shrimp, about 3 litres), followed by heating it up to 350 o F (175 o C) over a medium to high heat (be sure to keep an eye on the oil temperature and maintain it at the same high level – it is what makes the shrimp extra crunchy).
5. Coating and Frying the Shrimp:
- Take out a handful of the shrimp at a time out of the buttermilk and the extra should then drain off.
- Lay the shrimps in the batter of seasoned flour and shake them down on the shrimp till they are all covered.
- Fry the coated shrimp one small portion at a time in the hot oil so that pan is not heavily loaded.
- Thaw the shrimp in water until fully thawed, and fry on both sides 2-3 minutes and flip once until it is browned and crispy.
- Put fried shrimp on a plate lined with paper towel to drain the excess oil.
6. Toss the Shrimp in Dragon Sauce:
- Transfer the pan-fried shrimps into a big clean mixing bowl, and then pour the hot dragon sauce all over the shrimps.
- Lightly mix with spatula or large spoon to ensure all the shrimp pieces are covered with the spicy/sweet glaze without smashing the wonderfully crispy coating.
7. Garnish and Serve:
- Put the sauced shrimp into smaller pieces and sprinkle over a serving platter.
- Put the green onions that you have chopped as well as toasted sesame seeds to your shrimp and spread them all over the sauced shrimp.
- Dragon Shrimp can be served with a serving of steamed rice, stir fried vegetables or even an easy salad as a main dish.
Tips for Success:
- Here you need to fry the shrimp in small quantities since when you combine all the shrimp they will end up being over cooked and lacking crispy feel.
- Try your dragon sauce first and add more sriracha/ red pepper flakes or any other spice you prefer to taste according to you before you mix it with the shrimp.
- You may wish to taste your shrimp more crispy hence you may dip them again in the buttermilk / flour mixture and fry again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp?
A: Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp is a popular seafood appetizer featuring crispy, lightly battered shrimp tossed in the restaurant’s signature Dragon Sauce. The sauce combines sweet chili, garlic, soy sauce, and spicy seasonings to create a bold, sweet-and-spicy flavor that has become a customer favorite.
Q2. Is Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp spicy?
A: Dragon Shrimp has a mild to medium level of heat. The sweet chili glaze balances the spice, making it flavorful without being overwhelmingly hot. If you enjoy sweet and spicy seafood dishes, it’s an excellent choice.
Q3. What comes with Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp?
A: Dragon Shrimp is typically served as an appetizer, but you can pair it with steamed rice, fresh vegetables, fries, or your favorite Red Lobster seafood entrée to create a satisfying meal. Availability and serving options may vary by location.
Q4. Can you order Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp for takeout or delivery?
A: Yes. In many locations, Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp is available for dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery through participating delivery services. Check your local restaurant’s menu for availability.
Red Lobster Dragon Shrimp is a must-try menu item for anyone who loves crispy shrimp with bold Asian-inspired flavors. Its perfectly fried shrimp, signature sweet and spicy Dragon Sauce, and irresistible crunch make it one of the restaurant’s most popular appetizers. Whether you’re dining in, ordering takeout, or exploring the menu for the first time, Dragon Shrimp delivers a delicious combination of flavor and texture that’s hard to beat. Before your next visit, check your local Red Lobster menu for the latest pricing, availability, and limited-time offers to enjoy this customer-favorite seafood dish.
