What Sauce Goes with Panko Shrimp? (14 Amazing Sauces)

Panko shrimp is one of my favorite easy seafood recipes.

It’s crispy, flavorful, and so satisfying.

And the best part is that it’s super versatile and goes with a variety of sauces.

So if you are wondering what sauce to serve with panko shrimp, whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or appetizers, then you are in the right place.

Today, I’m sharing 14 of the best sauces for panko shrimp including cocktail sauce, tarter sauce, remoulade sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and more.

What Sauce Goes with Panko Shrimp?

Panko shrimp is a popular Japanese dish that is made by coating shrimp in panko bread crumbs and then frying them. The sauce that is typically served with this dish is a sweet and sour sauce, which goes well with the crispy texture of the shrimp.

Still looking for ideas?

Then just keep scrolling!

Here are 14 sauces that go with Panko shrimp:

1. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is super easy to find, and it’s a great way to add some extra flavor to your panko shrimp.

Just add a few drops to the batter before you coat the shrimp, or use it as a dipping sauce.

It’s also a good idea to keep some on hand for when the shrimp are cooked, since they can tend to be a bit bland on their own.

Tip:

If you want a bit of sweetness in your soy sauce, try adding a drop or two of honey.

2. Aioli

Whether you simply buy it at the store or make it from scratch, aioli is a great sauce to use with Panko shrimp.

The creamy texture of the sauce pairs well with the crispy shrimp, and the garlic flavor complements the seafood taste.

To add some extra flavor to your aioli, try adding a bit of lemon juice or zest.

Tip:

If you want to make your own aioli, start with a base of mayonnaise and add garlic, lemon juice, and salt to taste.

3. Garlic Sauce

Garlic sauce is known for being quite easy to whip up, and it’s a great way to add some extra flavor to your dishes.

In this case, the garlic sauce goes well with panko shrimp.

The shrimp are already fried and have a lot of flavor, but the garlic sauce adds a bit of zing that takes them to the next level.

To make the garlic sauce, simply combine some minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

If you want some extra flavor, you can also add in some chopped parsley or crushed red pepper flakes.

Tip:

The garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

4. Cocktail Sauce

Similar to ketchup, cocktail sauce is a semi-sweet and slightly acidic sauce that is perfect for dipping.

I like to use it with Panko shrimp because the sauce helps to cut through the richness of the dish.

To add some extra flavor, try stirring in a bit of horseradish or hot sauce.

Tip:

If you want a thinner sauce, just add a bit of water or lemon juice.

5. Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is both sweet and savory, making it a perfect dipping sauce for Panko shrimp.

The acidity of the sauce cuts through the richness of the fried shrimp, and the sweetness pairs well with the seafood flavor.

And, it’s a classic sauce that everyone knows and loves.

To add some extra flavor to your tartar sauce, try adding a bit of lemon juice.

6. Lemon Butter Sauce

Almost no sauce is as simple as lemon butter sauce, but that’s what makes it so perfect for Panko shrimp.

The shrimp are already coated in a delicious and crispy breading, so you don’t need anything too heavy or complicated.

The sauce is just a mixture of butter and lemon juice, but you can add a bit of garlic or shallot for extra flavor.

Tip:

If you want a bit more acidity in your lemon butter sauce, try adding a splash of white wine vinegar.

7. Pesto

Pesto comes with a bold and intense flavor that can really elevate your dish.

It’s perfect for Panko shrimp because the shrimp can be a bit bland on its own.

The pesto will add some much-needed flavor and make your dish more exciting.

Tip:

If you want to add some extra flavor to your pesto, try adding a bit of Parmesan cheese.

8. Chimichurri

Chimichurri has a bright green color and a fresh, herbaceous flavor.

It’s made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil, so it’s packed with flavor.

It’s the perfect sauce for Panko shrimp because it brings out the sweetness of the shrimp and cuts through the richness of the breading.

To add some extra flavor, try adding a bit of lemon juice or zest.

Tip:

If you can’t find chimichurri at your local grocery store, you can easily make it at home.

Just combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

9. Romesco

Romesco is for those who like their shrimp with a bit of a kick.

This Spanish sauce is made with roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and chili flakes, giving it a complex flavor that pairs well with the mild taste of shrimp.

Panko shrimp are usually served with a dipping sauce on the side, but I like to mix things up and use romesco as my dipping sauce.

The extra flavor from the sauce really makes the dish pop.

Tip:

If you want an even bigger flavor punch, try grilling or broiling your shrimp before adding them to the romesco sauce.

10. Harissa

Harissa has quite the kick, but it’s oh-so-good with panko shrimp.

The heat from the sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy shrimp, and the smokiness of the harissa really brings out the flavor of the seafood.

For an extra bit of flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your harissa sauce.

Tip:

If you can’t find harissa, you can use any hot sauce that you like.

11. Honey Mustard

When you want a safe option that will please everyone, go for honey mustard.

It’s sweet, it’s savory, and it has a bit of a kick.

Plus, it goes great with panko shrimp.

The sweetness of the sauce pairs well with the crispy shrimp, and the mustard gives it a little bit of zing.

Tip:

If you want to add some extra flavor to your honey mustard, try adding a bit of horseradish or Dijon mustard.

12. Remoulade Sauce

Remoulade sauce has a unique flavor that goes well with a variety of dishes.

It’s made with mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, and herbs, so it has a bit of sweetness, acidity, and savoriness all in one.

I like to use it as a dipping sauce for Panko shrimp.

The shrimp are already fried and have a lot of flavor, so the sauce doesn’t need to be too strong.

And, the sweetness of the sauce pairs well with the shrimp.

To add some extra flavor to your remoulade sauce, try adding a bit of horseradish or hot sauce.

13. BBQ Sauce

Nothing is as American as BBQ sauce, and it goes great with shrimp.

The sweetness of the sauce pairs well with the savory shrimp, and the Panko provides a nice crunch.

If you want some extra flavor, try adding a bit of garlic or onion powder to your BBQ sauce.

Tip:

You can find BBQ sauce at any grocery store.

It’s usually in the condiments aisle near the ketchup and mustard.

14. Hot Sauce

If you prefer spicy food, then you’ll love panko shrimp with hot sauce.

The shrimp are already fried and crispy, so the hot sauce just adds an extra level of flavor.

And, if you want to really kick up the heat, try adding some diced jalapeños to the sauce.

Tip:

If you want a bit of sweetness to balance out the spice, try adding a tablespoon of honey to your hot sauce.