A Guide to Making and Enjoying Coconut Shrimp from Whole Foods Market

The Origins and Rise in Popularity of Coconut Shrimp

Coconut shrimp is a dish that has been growing rapidly in popularity over recent years. It features large, succulent shrimp that have been coated in a sweet and crunchy layer of coconut flakes and breadcrumbs before being fried or baked to perfection.

The origins of coconut shrimp can be traced back to Southeast Asian cuisines, where using coconut as an ingredient in meat and seafood dishes is very common. Over time, recipes for coconut shrimp made their way to the United States and it started appearing on restaurant menus across the country.

What Makes Coconut Shrimp So Appealing

There are several reasons why coconut shrimp has gained so much popularity:

• The contrast of textures - the crispy coconut coating and the soft, juicy interior of the shrimp
• The sweetness of the coconut balances beautifully with the natural brininess of the shrimp
• It makes for an impressive presentation, especially when served with a vibrant dipping sauce
• It's lower in carbohydrates than traditional breaded fried shrimp

In addition, the dish appeals to those following low-carb, keto, gluten-free, or paleo diets as long as a few simple substitutions are made, like using almond flour in place of regular breadcrumbs.

The Rise of Coconut Shrimp in Restaurants

In the 1990s and early 2000s, coconut shrimp started gaining significant traction on the menus of higher-end restaurants and steakhouses across America. Patrons were drawn to the sweet flavors and crunchy texture.

Before long, more casual dining establishments like TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Bonefish Grill, and Outback Steakhouse added their own versions of coconut shrimp to menus. As production costs came down, coconut shrimp moved from being an expensive appetizer to a more reasonably-priced everyday menu item.

These days it's rare to find a seafood restaurant that doesn't offer some type of coconut shrimp dish.

How to Make Perfectly Cooked Coconut Shrimp at Home

While eating out at restaurants can be tasty and convenient, nothing quite compares to homemade coconut shrimp straight from your own kitchen. Here's a straightforward recipe and cooking method for making tender coconut shrimp with a crispy golden coating.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails left on
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 teaspoon black pepper
• Neutral cooking oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.)

Instructions

1. Set up three shallow dishes - one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of the coconut, panko crumbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Working with a few shrimp at a time, coat them first in flour and shake off any excess. Dip them in the egg wash so they are thoroughly coated. Finally, press the shrimp gently into the coconut mixture, making sure it adheres all over.
3. In a large skillet or fryer, heat at least 1 inch depth of oil to 350F.
4. Fry shrimp in batches, without overcrowding, for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip halfway during cooking if needed to get an even color.
5. Transfer cooked coconut shrimp to a paper towel lined plate to drain any excess grease.
6. Serve shrimp immediately while hot and crispy, with an creamy orange horseradish sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping if desired.

Making coconut shrimp at home does take more effort than picking up a box of frozen shrimp from the grocery store or ordering delivery. However, the impressive presentation and flavors make it worthwhile for special occasions and dinner parties.

Tips for Extra Crispy, Flavorful Coconut Shrimp

• Use fresh breadcrumbs rather than panko for a crispier texture
• Let shrimp marinate for 30 mins in coconut milk before breading for more flavor infusion
• For best texture, fry shrimp in batches to avoid lowering oil temp too drastically
• Mix a little cornstarch into the flour for ultra crispy breading that doesn't fall off the shrimp

Where to Find Coconut Shrimp on Whole Foods Market Menus

As a leader in providing quality, responsibly sourced ingredients, Whole Foods Market offers excellent options for those seeking out coconut shrimp.

You can often find coconut shrimp featured as a seasonal special or daily menu item at Whole Foods in-store restaurants and food service counters. This allows you to pick up freshly prepared coconut shrimp along with other grocery hauls for easy weeknight dinners.

Coconut Shrimp Entries at Whole Foods

Some specific coconut shrimp dishes you may find on Whole Foods seafood and prepared foods menus include:

• Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Sweet Chili Sauce
• Jumbo Shrimp Crusted in Toasted Coconut
• Baked Lemon Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauces

You can expect most Whole Foods versions of coconut shrimp to use responsibly and sustainably sourced seafood as well as high quality ingredients like organic shredded coconut.

Buying Coconut Shrimp from Whole Foods Seafood Counters

Beyond ready-to-eat options, the fresh seafood department at Whole Foods also sells raw jumbo shrimp and large coconut flakes that allow you to bread and fry your own coconut shrimp from scratch.

This route gives you maximum control and flexibility over ingredients plus it reduces costs. Expect to pay $4 to $8 per pound for fresh shrimp and $2 to $3 for a package or bag of coconut.

When purchasing shrimp, look for shells and meat that are firm and clear in color without black spots or yellowing. Also confirm the seafood was responsibly sourced from sustainable fisheries or farms.

Planning a Healthy, Organic Coconut Shrimp Dish

As delicious as traditional coconut shrimp can be, it does tend to be high in things like sodium, saturated fat, carbohydrates, and calories when ordered from restaurants.

Thankfully, with some planning and clever substitutions, it's easy enough to create a healthy, organic version of coconut shrimp at home for those times you want a guilt-free yet equally tasty treat.

Potential Substitutions for a Healthy Coconut Shrimp Recipe

Consider making these swaps the next time you prepare coconut shrimp:

• Use organic virgin coconut oil instead of heavily refined vegetable/peanut oil for frying
• Choose extra-large wild caught Gulf shrimp for sustainability
• Coat shrimp in finely chopped almonds or organic coconut flakes instead of panko
• Flavor breading with paprika, garlic powder, parsley rather than salt
• Swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or arrowroot starch

Building a Balanced Meal Around Coconut Shrimp

You'll also want to be mindful of the other components that make up the entire meal when eating coconut shrimp, focusing on organic vegetables and whole grains over empty carbs.

Some ideas for healthy sides and starters to accompany coconut shrimp include:

• Fresh avocado slices
• Quinoa fried rice or cauliflower rice
• Roasted asparagus spears
• Baby kale salad with carrot ginger dressing
• Whole grain bread or rolls

A complete meal with lighter coconut shrimp plus nutritious organic veggies and sides leaves you feeling satisfied, not weighed down perfect for those following clean eating lifestyles or special diets like gluten free, vegan/vegetarian, keto, or paleo.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.