When it comes to pairing your shrimp with the right sauce, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
You want a sauce that’ll complement your shrimp and not overpower it.
However, you also don’t want something so mild that it’s indistinguishable from plain water!
So, how do you find the right balance between sweet, savory, and spicy? Well, that’s what this article is all about!
I’ll give you some great ideas for making a sauce for coconut shrimp.
So, let’s get started!
15 Tasty Sauces for Coconut Shrimp
Coconut shrimp is one of the most popular dishes at any seafood restaurant, and it’s easy to see why.
The crunchy coating, the savory coconut flavor, and the sweet dipping sauce—it’s a party in your mouth!
But what if you want something different? Something with just as much crunch but with more depth of flavor?
Well, no need to worry anymore!
Here are 15 sauces for coconut shrimp that’ll take your taste buds on an adventure:
1. The Red Lobster Piña Colada Sauce
If you’re looking for a new way to impress your next cocktail party guests, try this piña colada dipping sauce!
People love it because it’s sweet and creamy, with just the right amount of tanginess from the pineapple and lemon juice.
It’s a perfect complement to coconut shrimp, which has a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior.
And as if that weren’t enough, it has just enough heat to make your lips tingle without overpowering the rest of your taste buds!
You’ll need the following:
- ¼ cup coconut cream
- ½ cup canned crushed pineapple (or pineapple juice)
- ¼ cup cold water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Step one is to mix the coconut cream and pineapples in a saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a boil.
Next, combine the water and cornstarch in a different bowl.
Then, pour this mixture into the pineapple-coconut mixture.
Keep stirring and let the mixture cook until it reaches your desired thickness.
Oh, and by the way, this dipping sauce isn’t only perfect for coconut shrimp.
As a matter of fact, you can use it with burgers, some grilled chicken, or a dip for fries—let your imagination run wild!
This is one versatile sauce!
2. Soy Ginger
The taste of ginger mixed with soy sauce is one of the most delicious in the world.
It’s a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, with just a hint of saltiness.
You can add it to anything from stir-fry to soup, or just eat it straight out of the bowl!
The flavor lingers on your tongue long after you’ve swallowed it!
The combination of these flavors will give you a fantastic taste in every bite of shrimp.
It’s made with just five ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon of minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Bring all the ingredients together in a small saucepan, mix them well and let them boil over medium heat.
Keep boiling for about two minutes.
Lastly, strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to get all the lumps of ginger and garlic out.
The result is a sauce that’s sweet but not too sweet, thanks to the honey and soy.
A perfect match for shrimp’s savory flavor.
It also has a nice kick from the ginger!
3. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is one of those things that, if you’re not a fan, you’re just not going to be a fan.
But if you like it? You love it!
Plus, blue cheese sauce is just one of those things that go with everything: steak, chicken, pasta—even coconut shrimp.
And the result of dipping your coconut shrimp in it?
A crispy shrimp with a rich, creamy sauce that’ll make your mouth water.
You’ll need a few simple things to make this dipping sauce:
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Mayonnaise
- Buttermilk
- Lemon juice (preferably fresh)
- Salt
- Pepper
There’s only one step to making this sauce, and that’s mixing everything together until it thickens and becomes one!
4. Sweet Chili
This recipe is one you definitely want to try.
It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot of delicious!
Sweet chili sauce is a great complement to the flavor of shrimp, and it tastes excellent with chicken and fish.
Plus, the recipe is quick and easy, so you can enjoy this tasty sauce in no time at all!
Just prepare these ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (spicy chili sauce)
Start by mixing the vinegar, water, sugar, and sambal oelek in a saucepan and then gently heat until the sugar dissolves.
In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch with just a spoonful of water until it dissolves, then pour it into the saucepan.
Stir and heat the mixture until it comes to a simmer, at which time the cornstarch will thicken the sauce and go from cloudy to clear.
Trust me when I tell you, the sweet and spicy flavor combination will have you coming back for more.
5. Cilantro Lime
When it comes to cilantro, we’re all a little bit different.
Some of us love it, and some of us can’t stand it.
That’s why I’ve decided to add this sauce!
It’s the perfect mix of cilantro flavors and just enough lime juice to balance everything out.
If you’re a cilantro lover who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by the herb’s pungent flavor, this is the sauce for you!
However, this sauce takes a bit more than your usual ingredients to make.
You’ll need these ingredients:
- ½ cup of sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup cilantro leaves
- ½ avocado
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chopped green onion
- 2 cloves diced garlic
- Juice of one lime
The only thing you need to do is put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor, pulse until it’s smooth, and—voilà!—you’re done.
A perfect mixture of bright and citrusy flavors, this sauce is a palate-pleaser!
6. Apricot-Mustard
Apricot mustard sauce is my favorite summertime condiment.
It reminds me of picnics and cookouts and makes everything taste better!
Apricots are sweet and tart, with a subtle tang that makes you want to keep eating them until you’ve polished off the whole bowl.
Mustard has a similar taste to apricots—it’s sweet but with a zesty bite that really kicks things up a notch.
So, why not combine them to get the best of both worlds?
You’ll love the sweet, tangy taste of this sauce, which pairs perfectly with the shrimp’s crisp texture and mild flavor.
To make this sauce, you’ll need:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons melted apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons mustard
Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and then dig in!
This sauce is great with chicken as well.
Try it with baked chicken breast for a delicious meal that’s sure to be a hit each and every time.
7. Tahini Sauce
Coconut shrimp + tahini sauce = the ultimate combination.
Tahini sauce is a sesame seed paste that’s used in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
It’s also one of the best accompaniments to coconut shrimp!
It’s got a delicious, nutty flavor that goes well with the shrimp’s crunchy shell, and it’s also great on salads or as a dip for veggies.
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that you can’t go wrong with this sauce!
8. Honey-Mustard
Honey mustard is the best of both worlds, sweet and tangy!
It’s a condiment that seems to be in almost every home in America.
Whether you’re slathering it on a turkey sandwich or dipping your fries in it, honey mustard is a versatile addition to any meal.
However, making it from scratch gives you the opportunity to add your own twist to it, especially when you learn about the secret ingredient in this recipe!
9. Spicy Mango
The sweet taste of mango mixed with the spicy flavor of sriracha sauce is a match made in heaven.
Whether you’re into fruit or heat, you’ll find yourself savoring every bite of this unique dish.
The sweet and juicy mango is complemented by the spicy sriracha sauce, which adds just enough spice to make it interesting without being overpowering.
The combination is one that’s sure to delight your taste buds!
10. Thai Peanut
Peanut sauce is one of the most versatile sauces out there.
It’s great on anything from meat to chicken to coconut shrimp.
And lucky for us, it’s a cinch to make at home!
The best part about peanut sauce?
It can be made in just a few minutes.
Plus, if you make a big batch, you’ll have enough for several meals throughout the week.
So, if you like spicy food with a zesty tinge, this Thai peanut sauce recipe won’t disappoint.
You can use any kind of peanut butter for this recipe—I recommend using natural peanut butter, but any kind of creamy peanut butter will work just fine.
11. Indian Curry Sauce
Curry dipping sauce is the undisputed champion of sauces.
It’s spicy, but not too spicy, and it has a rich taste that makes you feel like you’re eating something so much more interesting than just sauce.
It’s got a deep, rich flavor that lingers on your tongue for what feels like hours after each bite.
The first time I tried it, I almost swooned at how good it was.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend that you do!
12. Citrus Mustard
The citrus mustard sauce is a dream come true for those who love tangy, spicy flavors.
It’s not just a regular mustard sauce—it’s a tangy, citrusy sauce that’ll leave you wanting more.
The first time I tried it, I was blown away by the taste.
It’s sweet and spicy at the same time, with just enough kick to make it interesting.
The mustard flavor is strong but not overwhelming, and there are hints of citrus that make it perfect for pairing with chicken or fish.
It pairs nicely with coconut shrimp, too!
13. Minty Yogurt
When you’re in the mood for something fresh and zesty, you can’t do much better than a minty yogurt dip. It’s a classic!
It’s also a great way to use up leftover yogurt in your fridge.
The best part about this dip is that it only requires about five ingredients and can be made in under fifteen minutes.
So what are you waiting for?
Get some shrimp and get dipping!
14. Cajun Dipping Sauce
If you’re looking for a Cajun dipping sauce that’ll be sure to impress your guests, look no further than this recipe.
The combination of sour cream, mayonnaise, and cajun seasoning is definitely a winner.
It’s tangy and creamy but spicy enough to keep you coming back for more.
It’s simple but also incredibly versatile.
It can be made with shrimp, chicken wings, or even using a boiled crawfish tail recipe if you’re feeling adventurous!
15. Honey-Garlic Sauce
You know those parties where you get together with friends and family, and everyone is having a great time?
Well, that’s what the taste of garlic and honey is like.
It’s happy, it’s fun, it’s exciting!
Garlic and honey are the perfect combination of flavor.
They’re both strong and heady, but they go together in a way that’s really smooth.
The garlic adds a kick of flavor that complements the sweet honey nicely.
It’s a sauce you definitely need to try!
So, I’ve shown you just how easy it is to make your own sauce for coconut shrimp – here’s what to serve with coconut shrimp to complete your meal!
You can use any of these sauces as a dip or even as a dressing on your next salad.
Whatever you do with it, just remember that making your sauces is easy and fun—so get out there and start experimenting!
15 Coconut Shrimp Sauce Recipes to Love on
Ingredients
- Red Lobster Piña Colada
- Soy Ginger
- Blue Cheese
- Sweet Chili
- Cilantro Lime
- Apricot-Mustard
- Tahini
- Honey-Mustard
- Spicy Mango
- Thai Peanut
- Indian Curry
- Citrus Mustard
- Minty Yoghurt
- Cajun Dipping Sauce
- Honey-Garlic
Instructions
- Choose your desired coconut shrimp sauce.
- Gather and organize needed ingredients.
- Create a tasty coconut shrimp sauce and start dipping!