There is a Chinese delicacy that will leave its taste in your mouth. We are talking about the Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe. In this recipe, shrimps have a buttery and tender texture with a crispy and salty crust infused with pepper. 

If you are looking for a delicious weeknight meal that is fancy and easy to make for a dinner party, you can try this salt and pepper shrimp recipe. This recipe can be made in just 30 minutes, from start to finish. This Chinese recipe utilizes two of the most basic ingredients to their fullest potential and creates a wonderful dish such as Salt and Pepper Shrimp.

Easy and Delicious Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe! 

Crunchy shrimp (Thank you, cornstarch!) are infused with zesty and heating flavors of Sichuan peppercorns! It is unbelievable that you can make this luxurious dinner recipe in just half an hour. 

The combination of salt and pepper makes this recipe simply irresistible! Give the shrimp a quick coat of cornstarch before stir-frying, and you will have one of the crunchiest prawns for dinner without deep-frying. 

So, let’s see how you can make these elegant shrimps tossed in a salt and pepper combination! 

Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Salt and Pepper Shrimp

Quick Stats 

Prep Time: 30 minutes 

Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

Servings: 4 serves 

Ingredients 

For the salt and pepper mix:

  • Two parts whole peppercorns
  • 1 part sea salt

For the rest of the dish: 

  • 1 pound/450g of large shrimp, shells on and deveined
  • Three tablespoons potato starch or cornstarch
  • ⅓ cup oil, for frying 
  • salt and pepper mixture, to taste 
  • Six cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • One long green pepper, thinly sliced 

Method to Prepare 

  • Take a small pot and dry roast the whole peppercorns over medium-low flame for about 15 minutes until they become very fragrant. 
  • Ensure that you don’t burn them and keep adjusting heat as needed. 
  • Let them cool completely and grind them with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder into a powder.
  • In the same pot, dry roast salt until it turns yellowish. Also, let it cool and then combine it with the pepper powder. 
  • This will be your authentic salt and pepper powder used in this dish throughout China. 
  • Now, let’s prepare shrimps. Rinse them and pat them thoroughly dry with the help of a paper towel. Dredge them in potato or corn starch. 
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a small cast-iron skillet to 375 degrees. 
  • Immediately, lay shrimps in the oil and fry them. Cook each side for about 30 seconds. 
  • Set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle your homemade salt and pepper powder according to your taste. 
  • Take a wok and heat about two tablespoons of oil over medium flame. 
  • Add garlic and fry it until it is just golden brown. Set it aside and drain the excess oil. Ensure you don’t burn it. 
  • Get rid of the extra oil from the wok. This is a dry dish, so make sure you leave only a tablespoon of oil into the wok. 
  • Now, add the peppers to the wok and turn off the heat. Add the garlic back to the wok and stir fry everything together for at least a minute. 
  • Finally, add the shrimps to the wok and gently toss everything for about 10 seconds. 
  • Sprinkle some more of the homemade salt and pepper mixture to enhance its taste. 
  • Serve and enjoy!

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Final Words

Serve this Salt and Pepper Shrimp with cooked rice or mashed red potatoes and Chinese cucumber salad to enjoy a full Chinese meal with your family. You can serve this dish as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or fill them in tacos to make one of the best Shrimp Tacos you’ve ever tasted!