How to Cook Whole Foods Boom Boom Shrimp

Boom Boom Shrimp from Whole Foods Market is a popular appetizer featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish at home.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to making tender shrimp encrusted with a light, crispy coating and bathed in an addictive boom boom sauce.

Overview of Boom Boom Shrimp

Boom Boom Shrimp consists of

• Large shrimp that are soaked in buttermilk, dredged in flour, then deep fried for a crispy coating
• A creamy, tangy sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and spices

The buttermilk tenderizes the shrimp and helps the coating adhere, Frying at the right temperature ensures the coating gets ultra crispy without the shrimp becoming rubbery

The sauce clings to the crispy shrimp and provides sweet and spicy flavors in every bite, It’s an irresistible combination of textures and flavors,

How to Buy Shrimp for Boom Boom

• Size: Choose extra-large or jumbo shrimp that are 16/20 or larger per pound. The large size works well for dipping in the sauce.

• Form: Shell-on shrimp have the best flavor and texture, but peeled and deveined shrimp are easier to eat.

• Source: Look for wild-caught or sustainably farmed shrimp. Shrimp from the US or Canada is best for freshness.

• Quantity: You’ll need about 1 pound of shrimp to serve 4 people. Adjust amounts as needed.

Prepare the Boom Boom Sauce

The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to use. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth and uniform.

2. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until needed. The sauce will keep for up to 5 days chilled.

3. Remove sauce from fridge while preparing the shrimp to take off chill.

Bread and Fry the Shrimp

Crispy, golden shrimp are key for this dish. Here’s how to achieve perfect boom boom shrimp:

You’ll Need:

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• Oil for frying

Breading Procedure:

1. Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Let marinate 15 minutes.

2. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper.

3. Remove shrimp from buttermilk one at a time, allowing excess to drip off.

4. Roll in flour mixture pressing to adhere. Shake off any excess.

5. Set breaded shrimp onto a baking sheet or plate.

Frying:

1. Heat 1-2 inches oil in a heavy pot or dutch oven to 350°F.

2. Working in batches, add shrimp to oil and fry 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

3. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

4. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

Toss Shrimp in Boom Boom Sauce

Once all the shrimp are fried, it’s time to coat them in sauce.

1. Add the crispy fried shrimp to a large bowl.

2. Pour prepared boom boom sauce over and toss gently until evenly coated.

3. For best results, serve shrimp immediately while the coating is still crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Boom boom shrimp makes a stellar appetizer or main dish. Here are serving ideas:

-Pile onto a platter and serve with cocktail or chopsticks for easy dipping and dunking.

-Serve over a bed of leafy greens for a complete meal.

-Stuff into mini buns or Slider rolls.

-Top salads or grain bowls for a protein punch.

-Pair with sticky rice and vegetables.

-Stuff into tacos or quesadillas.

-Enjoy as-is for a flavorful snack, side, or sharable appetizer.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for crunchy, juicy shrimp dripping in satisfying boom boom sauce:

• Make sure oil is at proper temperature before frying.

• Don’t overload oil with too many shrimp at once.

• Allow excess buttermilk to drip off before breading.

• Use starchier flour like all-purpose rather than cake or whole wheat flour.

• Let shrimp drain well on paper towels after frying.

• Toss shrimp in sauce while still hot so it sticks.

• Add a pinch of cayenne and black pepper to sauce for extra heat.

Storing Leftovers

Have boom boom shrimp leftovers? Here’s how to store them:

• Allow shrimp to cool completely before storing.

• Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days.

• Crisp up leftover shrimp in the oven or air fryer before reheating.

• Store sauce separately in the fridge up to 5 days.

• Don’t freeze breaded shrimp or sauce as textures suffer.

Adaptations and Variations

Customize boom boom shrimp to suit your tastes:

• Use milder or spicier hot sauces in the boom boom sauce.

• Bread shrimp in panko, crackers, or cornmeal for different crunch.

• Experiment with different dipping sauces.

• Swap in chicken tenders or slices of zucchini or eggplant.

• Top with fresh herbs, sesame seeds, or green onions.

• Play with other sauce flavors like tangy citrus or garlic herb.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Shrimp at Home

With this easy recipe, you can make restaurant-worthy boom boom shrimp using simple supermarket ingredients.

Crispy breaded shrimp bathed in a sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce – what’s not to love? Adjust heat levels and use fun serving ideas for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.