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Sometimes it’s the simple recipes that turn out the best. Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp is known for it’s simplicity, delightful flavor, and quick cooking process. Whole shrimp are seasoned with a mixture of salt and pepper and a simple flour coating mixture. From start to finish, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes!
Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a quick and easy recipe that fits your family’s favorite tastes. With 10 minutes prep and 10 minutes cook time, a delicious and complete meal can be served in no time! This is the perfect recipe for weeknights or busy families without having to sacrifice on flavor.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- How To Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- What to Serve with Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Storing and Reheating
- Alternative Cooking Methods
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Chinese Inspired Recipes
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s easy and quick. This recipe lets the shrimp speak for itself with minimal seasoning and a satisfying meal is ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Crispy Texture: The light coating gives the shrimp a delightful crunch.
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe requires basic ingredients that are often readily available in most kitchens.
- Easy to Scale: The recipe can be easily adjusted to serve a single person or a large group without much additional effort.
Ingredients for Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Large shrimp: Using peeled and deveined shrimp with the tail on preserves moisture and flavor while the shrimp cooks.
- Batter: Cornstarch, minced garlic, salt and pepper come together to make a perfectly simple batter.
- Oil: Use your favorite oil for deep frying.
- Garnish: Lemon wedges and chopped green onions are used to finish the shrimp.
How To Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the equipment. Gather skillet and mixing bowl.
Step 2: Prepare the shrimp. Pat dry the shrimp with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Add the cornstarch to the shrimp and toss them until they are well coated.
Step 3: Fry the shrimp. Deep fry the cornstarch-coated shrimp in batches until they are golden and crispy. Set the fried shrimp aside.
Step 4: Sauté spices. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add a tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté for a minute. Add the deep-fried shrimp to the skillet and toss them for a minute.
Step 5: Garnish and serve. Add the green onions and serve the shrimp over the rice while it’s still warm, with lemon wedges on the side. instruction here.
Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Pat the shrimp dry before coating with cornstarch to ensure a crispy texture.
- Allow the coated shrimp to chill in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes; this helps the batter adhere better and improves crispiness.
- Make sure the oil is hot when you fry the shrimp to achieve a golden brown, crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
- Place the fried shrimp on a paper towel to drain excess oil and retain the crispy texture.
What to Serve with Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp makes the perfect dish for a variety of sides. Stir fry your favorite vegetables alongside some Fried Rice, Chili Garlic Noodles or Lo Mein for a well-rounded meal. Kani Sushi Salad also makes a delicious side option for this recipe.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store leftover salt and pepper shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat: An oven or a toaster oven makes reheating a breeze at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Just heat the shrimp until crispy again. You can certaining reheat it in an air fryer as well or microwave as well but it may loose it’s outer crisp texture when reheated in the microwave.
Freezing: Freezing salt and pepper shrimp is possible, but the results may vary in terms of texture. They may not be as crispy as when originally made. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer after cooling completely. Freeze and transfer to an airtight container for 1 month. Thaw on a sheetpan in the fridge before cooking.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Baking: Coat the shrimp in cornstarch, place them on a baking sheet, and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-12 minutes or until crispy.
Air Frying: Use an air fryer for a healthier option. Coat the shrimp with cornstarch and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through.
Grilling: Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for a few minutes on each side until cooked through. This method imparts a smoky flavor to the shrimp.
Frequently Asked Questions
If using frozen shrimp, thaw it completely and pat dry the shrimp before continuing with the recipe.
Absolutely! Experiment with various seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or chili flakes to customize the flavor according to your preferences.
Ensure the shrimp are thoroughly dried before coating with cornstarch. Also, avoid overcrowding the frying pan to maintain crispiness.
If you prefer an alternative to shrimp you can make this recipe with chicken, beef or even tofu.
More Chinese Inspired Recipes
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Chinese Hunan Chicken
- Chinese Sesame Chicken
- Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chinese Szechuan Chili Chicken
Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a dish that stands out for its ease of preparation, minimal cooking time, and the delightful combination of flavors and textures it offers. This makes it a great choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekend dinners when looking for a quick and tasty meal.
If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a star rating in the comment section below because I love hearing from my readers. Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail ON
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- Lemon wedges, to garnish
- For salt and pepper shrimp
- Oil, to deep fry
Instructions
- Pat dry the shrimp with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Add the cornstarch to the shrimp and toss them until they are well coated.
- Deep fry the cornstarch-coated shrimp in batches until they are golden and crispy. Set the fried shrimp aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add a tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté for a minute.
- Add the deep-fried shrimp to the skillet and toss them for a minute.
- Add the green onions and serve the shrimp over the rice while it’s still warm, with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Nutritional value does not include the oil used for frying.
- Pat the shrimp dry before coating with cornstarch to ensure a crispy texture.
- Make sure the oil is hot when you fry the shrimp to achieve a golden brown, crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
- Place the fried shrimp on a paper towel to drain excess oil and retain the crispy texture.
