Coconut Shrimp Sauce

If you love Coconut Shrimp, you have to try this Piña Colada Coconut Shrimp Sauce recipe that only needs a few simple ingredients and is ready in less than 5 minutes. It is made with Greek or plain yogurt, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut. But don’t stop at shrimp, pile it on burgers or tacos for a real treat!

Piña Colada Dipping Sauce for Coconut Shrimp

When I first created this healthier version of Red Lobster’s Coconut Shrimp recipe, there was one thing they were missing…

A creamy and delicious pineapple and coconut sauce to dip them into!

If you have ever frequented Red Lobster on the reg, you know their fried coconut shrimp platter is not complete without the piña colada sauce that accompanies it.

(Crispy coconut shrimp just might be one of the most perfect appetizers!)

It’s delightfully creamy and sweet, yet provides the perfect amount of tanginess.

It’s like you’re drinking a Frozen Piña Colada alongside your shrimp!

After making quite a few batches of this dipping sauce, I realized it is also a great addition to a TON of other dishes, too.

From adding it as a spread to your favorite burgers, as a topping to some seafood or chicken tacos, or as an addition to a burrito or buddha bowl, this piña colada sauce goes much further than just being a dip for your coconut shrimp!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this dipping sauce at home include:

• Yogurt. A plain, unflavored yogurt is best.  Feel free to use a Greek yogurt for a bit more tang or a vegan variety if you’re dairy-free or avoiding animal products.
• Crushed Pineapple. Crushed or cubed, in juice or in syrup can all be used.  Look for the type packed in juice. If you get the kind in syrup, make sure to leave out the additional sugar in the recipe. If you’re having trouble locating CRUSHED pineapple, you can always buy the pineapple chunks or the whole pineapple. Before adding it to the dip, mince it until it is crushed.
• Coconut. Finely shredded and unsweetened coconut flakes are preferred.  Once again, if you can only find the sweetened kind, you’ll want to adjust the amount of additional sugar you use.
• Sugar. Plain white granulated sugar gives just the right amount of sweetness to counteract the bite of the yogurt.  If you like a more tangy dip, leave it out. You can also try mixing in some coconut sugar or honey for a refined sugar-free version.
• Salt. Just a pinch balances out the sweetness and really brings out the flavors of the fruit.

How to Make Coconut Shrimp Sauce

Below, you’ll find the simple steps to make this pineapple coconut sauce for coconut shrimp at home:

Make the Sauce

There is not much to making this creamy piña colada sauce.

All you need to do is add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk or stir everything together until smooth and well incorporated.

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to serve it chilled.

Serve It Up

This copycat Red Lobster coconut shrimp recipe is super easy to whip up as a main dish. Simply dredge raw shrimp in a flour mixture, then an egg mixture, then a bowl with a Panko breadcrumbs and coconut flakes. For the best results, pan-fry the breaded shrimp in a single layer. Use a large skillet over medium heat with just enough oil to cover the bottom and cook until golden brown.

As mentioned previously, there are SO many different ways you can enjoy this piña colada dipping sauce.

A few of my favorites include:

• Alongside these Roasted Cauliflower Tacos.
• As an accompaniment to these Garlic Parmesan Baked Chicken Wings.
• On top of these Shredded Chicken Tacos.

What sauce goes with coconut shrimp?

The absolute best type of sauce for coconut shrimp is this piña colada sauce. It’s a simple blend of crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and yogurt. You can also try a dipping sauce recipe like orange marmalade or Thai sweet chili sauce.

How long does coconut shrimp sauce last?

This pineapple coconut sauce will last for up to a week if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since yogurt is being used, it will tend to separate while storing. Before serving, make sure you give it another good stir so all of the ingredients are well mixed.

Can I freeze coconut shrimp sauce?

Freezing this yogurt dip is not recommended since the texture will change quite drastically.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free and vegetarian as written.  Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Opt for a plant-based yogurt.
• Sugar-free: Skip the sugar and make sure the coconut and pineapple have no added sugar.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Save time. Buy a bag of shredded coconut and a can of crushed pineapple.
• Pay attention. There can be lots of extra sugar in canned pineapple, so grab one in juice.
• Make it early. You can leave this sauce in the fridge for a couple hours.
• Stir it up. If it separates, simply give this sauce a good mix before serving.
• Get creative. This tropical dipping sauce is delicious on tacos and burgers, too.

More Easy Sauce Recipes

You can save so much money by making your own sauces at home. Plus, they’re usually healthier than the store-bought kind.

Creamy sauces like Secret Sauce, Chick-fil-A Sauce, Remoulade Sauce, Greek Tzatziki Sauce, and Sriracha Mayo are perfect for just about any recipe.

And don’t miss out on this Teriyaki Sauce, Buffalo Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, Peanut Sauce, and Mole Sauce.