Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden shrimp coated in a light batter, served with a vibrant mango salsa for a refreshing island-inspired main course. This puerto rican-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs shrimp, all-purpose flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup buttermilk until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Pat shrimp dry, dip each into batter until fully coated, shaking off excess. Set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (350°F). Add shrimp in single layer, frying 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to wire rack on baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: While shrimp fries, combine 1 cup diced mango, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 lime juiced, and 1 tbsp honey in a small bowl. Mix well.
  5. Step 5: Serve crispy shrimp immediately with mango salsa on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Crispy Fried Shrimp with Mango Salsa?

Puerto Rican seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes