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–+ servings
Finished Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe in a dark bowl with crispy shell-on shrimp, red bell pepper, and jalapeño.
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Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe

This Chinese salt and pepper shrimp comes together in 30 minutes with 10 ingredients. Shell-on shrimp fried crispy and tossed in peppery seasoning.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 16 oz shell-on shrimp
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • Neutral oil for shallow frying
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks
  • 1 jalapeño sliced (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

For the Seasoning

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • Coarsely ground black pepper lots, to taste

Optional Garnish

  • A little more of the seasoning mixture
  • Steamed rice

Instructions

  • Cut the red bell pepper into chunks and slice the optional jalapeño, then set them to the side.
  • Add the cornstarch to another bowl, then take the shell-on shrimp and coat them in the cornstarch thoroughly before setting them to the side.
  • For the seasoning, combine the salt, sugar, and lots of black pepper, and mix until well combined.
  • Add enough oil to a pan to shallow fry and heat over medium-high. Fry the shrimp for about 3 minutes per side, removing them once crispy and golden.
  • Add a bit of oil to a separate pan and add the peppers, cooking until slightly softened. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Add the crispy shrimp back in, sprinkle over the seasoning mixture, and toss until everything is well coated.
  • Serve over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally garnish with a little more of the seasoning. But it's your food, you eat it how you like.

Video

Notes

  • Pat the shrimp completely dry before coating so the cornstarch sticks and the oil doesn’t splatter.
  • Fry in batches. Overcrowding steams the shrimp instead of crisping them.
  • Toss the shrimp in the seasoning while they’re still hot so it clings instead of sitting on top.
  • Serve immediately — the coating softens the longer it sits.