Zesty Southern Pickled Shrimp Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Seafood lovers rejoice as this southern-style pickled shrimp recipe brings a tangy coastal charm to your table.

Bursting with zesty flavors, these delectable morsels capture the essence of southern culinary traditions.

The vinegar-infused marinade creates a delightful balance of acidity and seasoning that dance across your palate.

Briny and bright, these pickled shrimp offer a refreshing twist on classic seafood appetizers.

Each bite delivers a punch of flavor that transports you to a breezy southern coastline.

Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear, this recipe promises to become a staple at your next gathering.

Get ready to impress with a dish that’s both sophisticated and comfortingly familiar.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 24 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

• Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy backbone that helps cure and flavor the shrimp with bright, sharp notes.
• Canola Oil: Creates smooth, silky texture and helps distribute seasonings evenly throughout the dish.
• Sugar: Balances acidity and adds subtle sweetness to round out the pickled flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps draw moisture from ingredients.
• Tabasco Sauce: Delivers zesty heat and depth with its signature peppery kick.
• Celery Seeds: Introduces subtle, earthy undertone with gentle herbal complexity.

• Onions: Contribute sharp, crisp flavor and provide crunchy texture to the pickled shrimp.
• Lemon: Adds citrusy brightness and helps tenderize the seafood with natural acidity.
• Capers: Bring briny, tangy punch with their distinctive Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

• Shrimp: Star ingredient that absorbs marinade beautifully, creating delectable Southern-style pickled seafood.

Kitchen Essentials to Make Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing ingredients and marinating shrimp.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing onions and lemon.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and lemon cutting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and combining ingredients.
• Airtight Container or Lid: Helps seal and store pickled shrimp in refrigerator.

Making Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp from Scratch

• Flavor Blend Preparation

Create a zesty marinade by mixing chopped onions, fresh lemon slices, tangy vinegar, light cooking oil, briny capers, aromatic celery seeds, a touch of sweetness, and a dash of spicy hot sauce in a spacious mixing container.

• Shrimp Infusion

Gently fold the raw shrimp into the vibrant marinade, ensuring each piece gets coated with the flavorful mixture.

• Chilling and Marinating

Seal the container and let the shrimp rest in the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop deep, complex flavors. Give the mixture an occasional gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.

• Serving and Storage

When ready to enjoy, serve the pickled shrimp cold as a refreshing appetizer or light meal. These zesty seafood bites will maintain their delicious taste for about a week when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Tips to Tweak Your Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

• Let the shrimp soak in the pickling liquid for at least 24 hours to develop deep, tangy flavors that penetrate every bite.
• Adjust the Tabasco sauce to match your spice preference – add more for extra kick or reduce for a milder taste experience.
• Select fresh, wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf Coast for the most authentic Southern-style taste and best texture.
• Present the pickled shrimp as a refreshing appetizer at summer gatherings, or use as a zesty topping for salads and crackers to add excitement to your meal.

Ways to Plate Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

• Coastal Appetizer Platter: Arrange the pickled shrimp on a rustic wooden board with crisp butter crackers, fresh dill sprigs, and lemon wedges for an elegant seafood starter.
• Salad Sensation: Chop the pickled shrimp and toss over mixed greens, adding a zesty punch to your summer lunch with a light vinaigrette drizzle.
• Southern Cocktail Companion: Serve alongside classic bloody marys or crisp white wine, making these tangy shrimp the perfect elegant party nibble that guests will adore.
• Sandwich Surprise: Layer the pickled shrimp on toasted sourdough with fresh arugula and a touch of mayonnaise for a delightful seafood sandwich that brings southern charm to your lunch.

Proper Storage for Pickled Shrimp Dishes

• Smart Container Selection: Choose airtight glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness and prevent leakage of pickling liquid.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep the pickled shrimp in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to extend its quality and taste for up to 7-9 days.
• Temperature Safety Zone: Always maintain the shrimp at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety during storage.
• Quick Serving Tip: Remove the pickled shrimp from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to slightly intensify and the chill to soften.

Tantalizing Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 24 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cool Southern pickled shrimp showcase a zesty marinade that delivers tangy, complex flavors perfect for summer gatherings. Crisp and flavorful, coastal Carolina recipes come alive with this simple yet elegant seafood appetizer you’ll want to serve at every party.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) shrimp, peeled and cooked
• ¾ tsp (3.75 ml) celery seeds
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) sugar
• 1 splash Tabasco sauce (to taste)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) cider vinegar
• ½ cup (120 ml) canola oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) capers with juices
• 1 Vidalia or sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Prep Base: Delicately slice onions into translucent ribbons and segment lemons into slender wedges, creating a foundational layer of aromatic complexity.
2. Craft Marinade: Vigorously whisk cider vinegar, canola oil, capers, celery seeds, sugar, salt, and Tabasco sauce in a spacious mixing bowl, transforming individual ingredients into a cohesive, flavor-rich liquid.
3. Marinate Shrimp: Submerge raw shrimp completely in the prepared marinade, ensuring each crustacean is thoroughly enveloped and coated with the tangy, spiced essence.
4. Chill and Infuse: Securely seal the container and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing the shrimp to absorb and meld with the intricate flavor profile, periodically rotating to guarantee uniform seasoning.
5. Serve and Enjoy: After marination, gently stir the pickled shrimp and present chilled as a sophisticated appetizer or zesty seafood accompaniment, maintaining its vibrant taste and texture for up to one week when properly refrigerated.

Notes

• Chill for Enhanced Flavor: Marinating shrimp for a full 24 hours allows the complex blend of vinegar, spices, and oils to deeply infuse each morsel, creating a more robust and tangy taste profile.
• Proper Storage Matters: Keep pickled shrimp refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth, ensuring safe consumption for up to one week.
• Even Coating Technique: Periodically rotate and gently stir the shrimp during marination to guarantee uniform flavor distribution and prevent any uneven seasoning.
• Serve Cold for Best Experience: Enjoy the pickled shrimp straight from the refrigerator to preserve its crisp texture and vibrant, zesty flavor characteristic of authentic Southern-style seafood preparations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg