Fried Jerk Shrimp Recipe

Learn how to make fried jerked shrimp with a flavorful twist. A delicious way to spice up your weeknight dinners or party platters.

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 8

Servings servings

Calories 659kcal

16 oz. raw easy peel deveined tail-on shrimp - Black Tiger; super colossal size)
2 tbsp. jerk seasoning; homemade or store-bought
1 tsp. salt; I used kosher salt

Prep the Shrimp
Peel, devein, wash and pat dry the shrimp.
Season the Shrimp
In a large bowl, add the shrimp, jerk seasoning, baking soda, and salt. Toss everything together until the shrimp are fully coated. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes to marinate while you prep the sauce.
Prepare the ingredients for the sauce and set it aside.
Fry the Shrimp
Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. (You want enough oil to fully cover the shrimp or at least shallow fry them.)
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the shrimp in batches. Fry for 3-6 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through. They’ll curl up and turn opaque when they’re done.
Leave the marinating bowl aside to add the water.
Repeat the frying process and set the shrimp aside in a dish. Then make the sauce.
Melt the unsalted butter
Make the Jerk Dressing Sauce
Add the liquid to the marinating bowl and swirl it around to combine with the leftover seasoning. And add 1 tablespoon of jerk seasoning sauce.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Stir in the jerk seasoning and water mixture, then add thyme sprigs, salt, and paprika. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and fragrant.
Turn off the heat and drizzle the sauce over the shrimp later for an extra flavor boost.
Toss and Serve
Drizzle the warm jerk dressing sauce over the shrimp or serve it on the side for dipping.

**** When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred). ****

This post may contain affiliate links. See our full Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation by clicking on the links and or making a purchase.

Calories are estimated per serving.

Tips for Success

Don’t skip the marinating process. The baking soda will work as a tenderizer. Use large shrimp – colossal size (like 16/20 count) so they don’t overcook while frying. These shrimp are super colossal, so make sure not to overcrowd the pan—they need room to cook evenly and stay juicy!
Let your shrimp rest for a few minutes after seasoning so the flavors can better be infused into the shrimp.
Want to cut the heat? Skip the hot pepper or scotch bonnet pepper and add a little honey to your jerk mix.