Description
These Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are a zesty and light appetizer or meal option, featuring crispy shrimp tossed in a tangy and spicy buffalo sauce, served in crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing crunch. Perfectly balanced with a creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing, they deliver bold flavors without the heaviness of traditional buffalo wings.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Buffalo Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Lettuce Wraps
- 1 head of iceberg or butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup chopped celery (optional, for crunch)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help them crisp up better during cooking.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Make the buffalo sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, then stir in the buffalo hot sauce until well combined and warmed through.
- Toss shrimp in buffalo sauce: Transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl and pour the buffalo sauce over them. Toss gently to coat all the shrimp evenly.
- Assemble the lettuce wraps: Take a lettuce leaf, spoon a few buffalo shrimp into the center, sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles, sliced green onions, and chopped celery if using. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.
- Serve immediately: Arrange the lettuce wraps on a serving platter and enjoy warm for the best texture and flavors.
Notes
- You can use any type of hot sauce you prefer for the buffalo sauce, but Frank’s RedHot is traditional.
- For a milder option, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or add extra butter to temper the heat.
- These wraps contain blue cheese, so swap for a vegan or dairy-free dressing if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Make sure to serve immediately to keep lettuce crisp and shrimp warm.
- Leftover shrimp can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days but assemble the wraps fresh before serving.
