If you’re looking for an easy appetizer, this salt-and-pepper shrimp is perfect! Crunchy shrimp tossed in a garlicky salt and pepper mixture create a delicious dish no one can refuse!🍤😋 Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a popular and delicious Chinese dish that is perfect as an appetizer or main course.
This recipe features tender and crispy shrimp seasoned with a garlicky salt and pepper mixture, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish that's hard to resist.
How to Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Combine the shrimp, Shaoxing wine, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl and let it marinate for 10 minutes. Set aside. In a large ziplock bag, combine the coating mixture, add the shrimp to the bag, seal, and toss to coat thoroughly.
Mix the kosher salt, five-spice sugar, ground Sichuan peppercorn pepper, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Heat oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375 °F (190 °C). Line a baking tray with a wire rack. Grab the shrimp's tail, shake off the extra cornstarch, and gently lay the shrimp into the oil, one at a time, in a single layer. *(You might need to cook the shrimp in batches). Cook each side for about 2 minutes until the surface turns golden and the shrimp curls.
Once done, transfer the cooked shrimp onto a plate over a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Once all the shrimp are done cooking, pour the extra oil into a heatproof bowl and leave about 2 teaspoons of oil in the pan. Next, add the minced garlic and chili peppers to the pan. Stir a few times to release the fragrance.
Add the shrimp and sprinkle the salt and pepper mixture over them. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated. Transfer the Salt and Pepper Shrimp to a plate, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve hot as an appetizer or over steamed rice as a main dish. Enjoy!
Notes:
- If you do not have a thermometer, drop a tiny pinch of cornstarch into the oil. You should see tiny bubbles rapidly forming around the cornstarch.
- Store any excess salt and pepper mixture in an airtight container.
- Ensure the salt and pepper shrimp are dry before adding them to the hot oil.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
For the Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
For the coating:
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon granulated garlic
For the Salt and Pepper Shrimp mixture:
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or ground white pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Chinese five-spice
- ⅛ teaspoon light brown sugar
For Cooking:
- ½ cup peanut oil , canola oil, or vegetable oil or as needed
- 3 cloves garlic , finely minced
- 2 red chili peppers , sliced (Optional)
- Cilantro , chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine the shrimp, Shaoxing wine, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl and let it marinate for 10 minutes. Set aside. In a large ziplock bag, combine the coating mixture, add the shrimp to the bag, seal, and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Mix the kosher salt, five-spice sugar, ground Sichuan peppercorn pepper, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Heat oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375 °F (190 °C).
- Line a baking tray with a wire rack. Grab the shrimp's tail, shake off the extra cornstarch, and gently lay the shrimp into the oil, one at a time, in a single layer. *(You might need to cook the shrimp in batches).
- Cook each side for about 2 minutes until the surface turns pale golden, and the shrimp are curled. Once done, transfer the cooked shrimp onto a plate over a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
- Once all the shrimp are done cooking, pour the extra oil into a heatproof bowl and only leave about 2 teaspoons of oil in the pan. Next, add the minced garlic and chili peppers into the pan. Stir a few times to release the fragrance.
- Add the shrimp and sprinkle the salt and pepper mixture over them. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated. Transfer the Salt and Pepper Shrimp to a plate, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve hot as an appetizer or over steamed rice as a main dish. Enjoy!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
