Main dishes

Copycat Bubba Gump Popcorn Shrimp

Cajun Popcorn Shrimp ( i.e. Bubba Gump Popcorn Shrimp) The secret to any good popcorn shrimp is in the batter. This recipe gets it right, with just a touch of sweetness to make your mouth water. The trick to perfectly…

best popcorn shrimp ever

Cajun Popcorn Shrimp ( i.e. Bubba Gump Popcorn Shrimp)

The secret to any good popcorn shrimp is in the batter. This recipe gets it right, with just a touch of sweetness to make your mouth water. The trick to perfectly cooked popcorn shrimp is making sure your oil is at the right temperature and keeping an eye on the shrimp as they are cooking, taking them out when they are golden brown.

Get more amazing copycat recipes here.

fried shrimp with cocktail sauce on white plate

Famous Copycat Recipes

If you love eating out, you'll love this copycat recipe. Eating out can get expensive, and lets face it, sometimes the recipes you love are from restaurants that aren't close enough in proximity to go to on a regular basis. Bubba Gump's restaurant is one of those restaurants for me. While my family really enjoys the restaurant, the closest location is a few hours away.

With this Copycat Bubba Gump Popcorn Shrimp recipe, we've got a tasty recreation of a popular Bubba Gump's recipe right here at home.

fried cocktail shrimp with cocktail sauce on bed of lettuce on white plate

Recipe

Recipe

Copycat Bubba Gump Popcorn Shrimp

  • Yield Servings 4
  • Prep Prep Time 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Cook Cook Time 20 mins
  • Total Total Time 2 hrs 50 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled, cleaned, and tails removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, halved lengthwise
  • ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 12 oz beer, lager
  • tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, optional, for serving
  • lemon slices, optional, for serving
  • 1 quart vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, mix shrimp, sugar, salt, olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

  2. 2

    Heat a couple of inches of oil in a wide pot over medium high heat.

  3. 3

    In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the flour, corn starch, beer, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Mix until a smooth and creamy batter is formed.

  4. 4

    Toss the shrimp, pepperoncini, and red peppers in the batter until well coated.

  5. 5

    Add shrimp, pepperoncini and red peppers to oil one at a time, remove excess batter before frying.

  6. 6

    Fry. Cook in one layer only and avoid adding too many shrimp or the oil will cool and the batter becomes lumpy and sticky. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Work in batches. Remove shrimp and peppers with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towel and season with salt. Make sure the oil is fully heated before frying more food.

  7. 7

    Serve with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce or lemon.