What Sauce Goes with Tempura Shrimp? (13 Sauces)

Tempura shrimp is a delicious and easy seafood dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course.

The key to making tempura shrimp is to create a light and crispy batter that coats the shrimp perfectly.

Once you have the batter down, the next step is to choose a dipping sauce.

While tempura shrimp is delicious on its own, the right sauce can take it to the next level.

So if you are looking for a dipping sauce for your tempura shrimp, then you are in the right place.

I’m sharing 13 of my favorite sauces that go great with tempura shrimp including a sweet and spicy sauce, a creamy sauce, an Asian-inspired sauce, and more.

What Sauce Goes with Tempura Shrimp

What Sauce Goes with Tempura Shrimp?

Tempura shrimp is a popular Japanese dish that is often served with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce. Other popular sauces for tempura shrimp include tonkatsu sauce, which is similar to barbecue sauce, and ponzu, which is a citrus-based sauce.

Still looking for ideas?

Then just keep scrolling!

Here are 13 sauces that go with tempura shrimp:

1. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is easy to find, and it goes with everything.

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

The saltiness of the soy sauce cuts through the sweetness of the shrimp, and the umami flavor pairs well with the fried batter.

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

Tip:

If you want some extra flavor, try adding a bit of lemon juice to your soy sauce.

2. Aioli

Aioli has been popular for a long time, and for good reason.

The sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients – garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks – but the flavor is complex and delicious.

It’s perfect for dipping tempura shrimp, as the richness of the sauce balances out the lightness of the fried seafood.

To make this sauce your own, try adding some different herbs or spices.

I like to add a bit of cayenne pepper for a little kick, or some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

Tip:

If you want a thinner sauce, you can add a bit of water or lemon juice to the aioli.

3. Garlic Sauce

Garlic adds flavor to sauces like no other ingredient can.

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When used sparingly, garlic can enhance the flavor of a dish without overpowering it.

This is why garlic sauce is the perfect accompaniment to tempura shrimp.

The shrimp is already fried and has a lot of flavor, so the garlic sauce just adds a bit of extra zing.

And, it’s easy to make your own garlic sauce at home.

All you need is some garlic, olive oil, and salt.

Just mince the garlic and mix it with the other ingredients to taste.

Tip:

If you want a smoother garlic sauce, you can blend the ingredients together until they’re smooth.

4. Cocktail Sauce

Cocktail sauce reminds me of ketchup, but with a bit more of a zing.

It’s perfect for tempura shrimp because it’s not too heavy, but it still has enough flavor to stand up to the fried seafood.

Also, it’s easy to find at any grocery store.

To make it your own, try adding a bit of horseradish or hot sauce to the mix.

Tip:

If you want a really spicy cocktail sauce, add some sriracha or other hot sauce to taste.

5. Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is like a mix between mayo and ketchup, making it the perfect dipping sauce for tempura shrimp.

I like to add a bit of lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning to my tartar sauce to give it a little bit of a kick.

But, you can really make this sauce your own by adding any herbs or spices that you like.

Tip:

Try adding some chopped dill or parsley to your tartar sauce for a fresh flavor.

6. Lemon Butter Sauce

If you don’t want to spend hours making a complicated sauce, then this lemon butter sauce is a great option.

It’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients, but it’s packed with flavor.

The acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the tempura shrimp, and the butter adds a lovely depth of flavor.

To make this sauce your own, try adding a bit of garlic or some fresh herbs.

Tip:

This sauce is also great with fish or chicken.

7. Pesto

Pesto is known for its strong and distinct flavor, which can be a bit overwhelming on its own.

But when paired with tempura shrimp, the two flavors balance each other out perfectly.

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The shrimp is light and delicate, while the pesto is rich and flavorful.

And, the best part is that you can easily make pesto at home with just a few ingredients.

Tip:

To make your pesto more unique, try adding in some different herbs or spices.

For example, you could add in some cilantro or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

8. Chimichurri

Why not add some beautiful color to your dish with a chimichurri sauce?

This Argentinian sauce is traditionally made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.

It’s the perfect balance of bright and acidic, and it goes great with tempura shrimp.

To make it your own, try adding some chopped cilantro or oregano to the mix.

Tip:

If you want a thinner sauce, add more vinegar or olive oil.

If you want a thicker sauce, add more parsley.

9. Romesco

Romesco sauce is for those people who like their food with a bit of a kick.

This Spanish sauce is made with roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and chili flakes, and it packs a flavorful punch.

I like to use it with tempura shrimp because the sweetness of the shrimp pairs well with the spiciness of the sauce.

And, it’s easy to make this sauce your own by adjusting the amount of chili flakes to suit your taste.

Tip:

If you want a really smooth sauce, blend the ingredients in a food processor or blender until they’re completely smooth.

10. Harissa

Harissa has quite a bit of heat, but it’s balanced out by the sweetness of the shrimp.

It’s also a bit smoky, which goes well with the tempura batter.

To make this sauce your own, try adding a bit of honey or lime juice to taste.

Tip:

If you want to tone down the heat, add a dollop of yogurt or sour cream to your harissa sauce.

11. Honey Mustard

If you’re looking for a safe option that goes well with pretty much everything, then honey mustard is a great choice.

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

And, it’s easy to make your own honey mustard sauce at home.

All you need is some yellow mustard, honey, and mayonnaise.

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Just mix them all together in a bowl and you’re good to go.

Tip:

If you want to spice up your honey mustard sauce, try adding a bit of cayenne pepper or horseradish.

12. Remoulade Sauce

Remoulade is not talked about enough.

It’s a perfect dipping sauce for tempura shrimp, or really any fried seafood.

The sauce is creamy and tangy, with a bit of spice. It’s also pretty easy to make your own.

Here’s a basic recipe…

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup diced dill pickles
  • 1 tablespoon diced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
  3. Serve with tempura shrimp or any other fried seafood.

13. BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce has been an American favorite for generations.

It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a hint of smokiness.

And, it goes great with tempura shrimp.

The sweetness of the sauce pairs well with the light batter on the shrimp, and the smokiness compliments the seafood flavor.

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

Tip:

To make this sauce your own, try adding a bit of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

what sauce goes with tempura prawns

What Sauce Goes with Tempura Shrimp? (13 Sauces)

I love Asian cuisine, and tempura shrimp is one of my favorite dishes.
In this article, I'll be sharing 13 of my favorite sauces to pair with tempura shrimp.
I'll also be giving my thoughts on what each sauce brings to the dish, so you can find the perfect pairing for your own tempura shrimp!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dip, Sauce
Cuisine American, Asian
Servings 4 people
Calories 388 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Soy Sauce
  • Aioli
  • Garlic Sauce
  • Cocktail Sauce
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Lemon Butter Sauce
  • Pesto
  • Chimichurri
  • Romesco
  • Harissa
  • Honey Mustard
  • Remoulade Sauce
  • BBQ Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of the sauces or dips from this article to serve with your tempura shrimp.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Enjoy in no time!
Keyword What Sauce Goes with Tempura Shrimp