Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp

The Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp recipe brings you a restaurant-quality seafood dish right to your home, ready in just 20 minutes. Each shrimp is lightly dusted with seasoned cornstarch, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed with garlic, chili, and fresh green onions for a simple yet flavor-packed experience. This dish is perfect for seafood lovers who want something light yet satisfying, with a crispy texture that pairs perfectly with a squeeze of lemon. It works beautifully as a quick weeknight dinner, a game-night platter, or as an elegant appetizer for gatherings, delivering irresistible crunch and layers of aromatic flavor in every bite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 tsp white pepper

• 1/2 tsp chili flakes

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 green onions, finely sliced

• 1 small fresh red chili, thinly sliced

• Vegetable oil for frying

• Lemon wedges for serving

Directions:

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and white pepper.

3. Toss the shrimp in the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.

4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot.

5. Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid crowding the pan, cooking for about 2 minutes per side or until golden and crispy.

6. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

7. Discard excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

8. Add garlic, chili flakes, fresh chili slices, and green onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

9. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss everything together until shrimp are well coated.

10. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Discovering the Delight of Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp

Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is a dish that combines simplicity, speed, and outstanding flavor. In Asian cuisine, especially Cantonese cooking, this dish represents the elegance of minimal ingredients used in harmony to create a dish that bursts with texture and balanced seasoning. At its heart, Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is a celebration of fresh seafood, aromatic garlic, a hint of chili heat, and the crispness that makes every bite irresistible.

What makes this dish especially appealing is its ability to turn ordinary shrimp into a gourmet experience while remaining approachable for home cooks. It is a dish that pairs well with steamed rice, stir-fried greens, or can stand alone as a show-stopping appetizer. If you love seafood recipes that are easy to prepare and deliver restaurant-level results, this dish is a perfect addition to your weekly meal plan or your recipe collection for gatherings.

The Culinary Simplicity and Appeal of Salt and Pepper Shrimp

The recipe is rooted in the Cantonese cooking tradition, where the goal is to highlight the natural flavors of fresh ingredients. Shrimp, with their delicate sweetness, are enhanced using a dusting of seasoned cornstarch and fried until they develop a golden, crispy exterior. The beauty lies in how the crust remains light while offering the satisfying crunch that diners love.

After frying, the shrimp are tossed with garlic, fresh chilies, scallions, and chili flakes, creating an aromatic mixture that infuses the shrimp without overpowering them. The addition of white pepper and black pepper brings depth of heat, while lemon wedges served alongside add a bright, acidic contrast that enhances the dish’s flavor profile. This layered seasoning approach transforms a straightforward fried shrimp dish into an aromatic, mouthwatering centerpiece that is both comforting and exciting.

Why You Should Make Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp at Home

Many people associate crispy shrimp dishes with takeout or restaurant dining, but the reality is that Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is incredibly easy to recreate at home. The preparation requires minimal equipment just a skillet or wok for frying and a few pantry-friendly seasonings.

Cooking it at home allows you to control the type of oil, the quality of shrimp, and the spice level to suit your personal preferences. You can use larger prawns for a more luxurious presentation or smaller shrimp for a snackable party dish. Because the recipe is quick, it is ideal for weeknight dinners when you want something special but don’t have the time for elaborate preparation.

This dish is also an excellent gateway for those looking to explore Asian cooking without needing to purchase specialized sauces or ingredients, making it a practical recipe for both novice and experienced cooks alike.

The Texture That Makes This Dish Irresistible

A key highlight of Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is its texture. The shrimp are coated lightly before frying, resulting in a crust that is crisp without being heavy. Each bite offers the snap of the shrimp with the crunch of the coating, followed by the warmth of garlic and the subtle heat of chilies and pepper.

Unlike heavily battered seafood, the cornstarch coating allows the shrimp to shine without masking their flavor. This makes the dish feel lighter while still satisfying cravings for something crispy. When served immediately, the shrimp maintain their crunch, making it a rewarding dish for those who love the sensation of biting into freshly fried seafood.

Pairing and Serving Ideas for Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp

Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is versatile when it comes to serving options:

• As an Appetizer: Serve on a platter with lemon wedges, a sprinkle of fresh chilies, and scallions for color and added freshness.

• Main Dish: Pair with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables such as Chinese broccoli or bok choy for a balanced meal.

• Taco Filling: Use the crispy shrimp as a filling in warm tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and a drizzle of spicy mayo for an Asian-fusion shrimp taco.

• Snack Board Addition: Add these crispy shrimp to a seafood platter for game nights, paired with lime wedges and a garlic-chili dipping sauce.

This flexibility allows you to adapt the dish to various occasions, whether for family dinners, gatherings, or casual meals.

The Nutritional Value of Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp

Shrimp are a lean protein source, low in calories but high in nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Despite the frying, the dish remains lighter compared to heavily battered and deep-fried seafood, especially when fried quickly at high temperatures to reduce oil absorption.

For a lighter version, you can fry the shrimp in an air fryer with a light spray of oil, maintaining the crispiness while reducing the overall fat content. Additionally, adding fresh herbs and serving with a salad or steamed greens can increase the dish’s nutritional value while balancing the flavors on the plate.

The Cultural Story Behind the Dish

Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is inspired by the popular Cantonese “salt and pepper” cooking style, which also appears in dishes like salt and pepper squid and salt and pepper tofu. These dishes originated as street food and restaurant favorites in Hong Kong and southern China, where seafood is celebrated for its freshness and prepared in ways that respect its natural flavors.

The use of white pepper, which is commonly used in Chinese cooking for its floral and earthy heat, combined with black pepper’s sharp spiciness, reflects the layered simplicity characteristic of Cantonese cuisine. The addition of chilies, garlic, and scallions brings fragrance and heat, making the dish appealing to a broad range of palates.

Tips for Perfecting Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp

Here are a few tips to ensure the best results:

• Dry the Shrimp Thoroughly: Removing moisture allows the coating to adhere better and prevents splattering during frying.

• Fry in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain high oil temperature and achieve even crispiness.

• Use Fresh Garlic and Chilies: They add an aromatic punch that elevates the dish.

• Serve Immediately: This ensures the shrimp remain crispy, as the coating will soften if left sitting for too long.

• Adjust Spice Levels: Control the amount of chili flakes and fresh chilies to match your heat preference.

Conclusion:

Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is a recipe that allows you to bring restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen with minimal effort. Its crispy texture, combined with aromatic garlic, chili heat, and the sweet taste of shrimp, creates a dish that is comforting, satisfying, and memorable.

Perfect for weeknight meals or as a party appetizer, this recipe is versatile and adaptable, making it a must-have for your seafood recipe collection. It is an invitation to explore Asian-inspired cooking without complexity, offering a dish that is quick to prepare yet impressive enough to serve to family and guests alike.

By mastering Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp, you add to your cooking repertoire a dish that delivers on flavor, texture, and presentation every single time, ensuring you have a go-to recipe that will delight shrimp lovers for years to come.