The Admiral's Feast from Red Lobster features a crispy fried shrimp, tender fried clam strips, golden-brown fried flounder, and a crunchy clam strip, all served with creamy tartar sauce and a zesty cocktail sauce, presenting a delightful seafood platter with a mix of crispy and succulent textures.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Fry baskets
- Tongs
- Sheet pans (for draining)
- Paper towels or wire rack
- Mixing bowls
- Sauce cups
- Serving plates
- Ladle or spoon (for sauces)
- Thermometer
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb (450g) clam strips
- 1 lb (450g) flounder fillets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
When preparing your seafood platter, ensure all shrimp, clam strips, and flounder fillets are fresh and properly thawed for optimal texture and flavor. Use a combination of all-purpose flour, cornmeal, and panko breadcrumbs to achieve the signature crispy coating found in the Admiral's Feast. Season the batter mix with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to enhance the seafood's natural taste. Vegetable oil should be heated to the ideal frying temperature, which you can monitor using a thermometer, ensuring the seafood cooks evenly without becoming greasy. Your creamy tartar sauce and zesty cocktail sauce play a crucial role in complementing the fried seafood, so prepare them with fresh ingredients like mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and horseradish for authentic flavor. This Admiral's Feast from Red Lobster copycat menu delivers a perfectly balanced combination of crispy fried seafood and flavorful sauces for a dining experience you can recreate at home.
Instructions
- Prepare breading stations: one bowl with flour, one bowl with beaten eggs/milk, one bowl with panko/cornmeal and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne).
- Preheat deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Pat dry shrimp, clam strips, and flounder fillets with paper towels.
- Dredge shrimp, clam strips, and flounder in flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumb mixture.
- Fry breaded shrimp, clam strips, and flounder in batches until golden and cooked through.
- Drain fried items on wire rack or paper towel-lined sheet pans.
- For tartar sauce: mix mayonnaise, pickle relish, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, capers, lemon zest, and chopped parsley in a bowl.
- For cocktail sauce: combine ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a bit of lemon juice in a bowl.
- Portion sauces into serving cups.
- Arrange fried seafood on serving plates.
- Add lemon wedges and prepared sauces on the side.
- Serve immediately.
Substitution
The Admiral's Feast from Red Lobster offers a crispy combination of fried shrimp, clam strips, and flounder, creating a flavorful seafood platter. If fresh flounder is unavailable, firm white fish like cod or haddock are excellent substitutes that maintain a tender texture. To ensure even frying and prevent sogginess, make sure oil is heated to 350degF (175degC) before cooking and use a thermometer to maintain temperature. When mixing breading ingredients, you can adjust seasoning to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. For a lighter alternative, try baking the seafood with a panko topping instead of deep frying.
Tips
Make sure to pat the shrimp, clam strips, and flounder fillets completely dry before dredging to ensure the breading adheres properly and fries up crispy. Maintain the deep fryer temperature at a steady 350degF (175degC) to avoid greasy or undercooked seafood. Use a wire rack rather than paper towels for draining fried items to prevent sogginess by allowing excess oil to drip away efficiently. Your sauces should be prepared ahead and chilled to enhance flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the hot, crispy seafood.
Nutritions
The Admiral's Feast contains a rich blend of seafood, including shrimp, clam strips, and flounder fillets, offering high-quality protein essential for muscle repair and overall health. The breading and frying process adds calories and fat, primarily from vegetable oil, contributing to its crispy texture but increasing saturated and trans fats. The creamy tartar and zesty cocktail sauces provide flavor but can also add sodium and sugars, so consider portioning them carefully to manage intake. Your meal includes essential micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals from seafood, supporting heart and brain health.
Storage
Store any leftover fried shrimp, clam strips, and flounder in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then refrigerate for up to 2 days. To keep the seafood crispy, reheat in a preheated oven at 375degF (190degC) on a wire rack over a baking sheet, avoiding the microwave which can cause sogginess. Your tartar and cocktail sauces should be stored separately in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Variation or Alternatives
Swap flounder with cod or haddock fillets for a firmer fish texture, and use panko breadcrumbs mixed with crushed cornflakes for an extra crunchy coating. Try marinating the seafood in buttermilk for 20 minutes before breading to ensure tenderness and enhance flavor. For a healthier option, bake the breaded seafood at 425degF (220degC) on a wire rack until crispy, rather than deep frying. You can customize the tartar sauce by adding chopped dill pickles or substituting capers with finely diced green olives to suit your taste.
Allergies
Your Admiral's Feast from Red Lobster contains several common allergens including shellfish (shrimp and clam strips), fish (flounder fillets), eggs, and wheat (flour, panko breadcrumbs). The tartar and cocktail sauces may also pose risks due to mayonnaise and horseradish ingredients. Individuals with allergies to any of these components should avoid consumption or seek allergen information before eating.
Why this recipe?
Admiral's Feast from Red Lobster is a popular choice for seafood lovers due to its generous variety, featuring crispy fried shrimp, tender clam strips, flaky fried fish, and savory scallops. Each component is seasoned and battered to perfection, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that satisfy diverse tastes in one plate. Making a copycat of this dish allows Your to enjoy restaurant-quality seafood at home, saving money while customizing the seasoning and sides to your preference. The combination of affordability, convenience, and the well-loved taste profile makes Admiral's Feast a worthwhile culinary endeavor.