Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a classic Chinese-style dish known for its crispy texture, bold seasoning, and irresistible aroma. Lightly battered shrimp are fried to golden perfection and tossed with garlic, chilies, and a simple yet powerful salt-and-pepper mix.
This dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course and pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 3–4
🛒 Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 500g large shrimp (peeled & deveined, tails on)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for extra crispiness)
- Oil for frying
For the Seasoning Mix:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon white pepper (optional, but authentic)
- ½ teaspoon sugar
For Stir-Fry Aromatics:
- 5–6 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2–3 green chilies (sliced)
- 2 spring onions (chopped)
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon oil
🍤 Preparation Steps
1. Clean & Marinate the Shrimp
Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water and patting them completely dry. This step is very important to ensure crispiness.
In a bowl, mix shrimp with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Soy sauce
Let it marinate for about 10–15 minutes.
2. Coat the Shrimp
Lightly coat the shrimp with cornstarch and flour. Shake off excess coating so they fry evenly.
Tip:
For extra crunch, use only cornstarch instead of flour.
3. Fry the Shrimp
Heat oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat.
Fry shrimp in batches:
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy
- Do not overcrowd the pan
- Remove and place on paper towels
Pro Tip:
Double-fry the shrimp for extra crispiness (optional but highly recommended).
4. Prepare the Salt & Pepper Mix
In a small bowl, combine:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Sugar
Set aside.
5. Stir-Fry Aromatics
In a wok or pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil.
Add:
- Garlic
- Green chilies
- Onions
Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until fragrant (do not burn garlic).
6. Toss Everything Together
Add the fried shrimp into the pan.
Sprinkle the salt and pepper mix evenly over the shrimp.
Toss everything quickly on high heat for about 1–2 minutes so the shrimp absorb all the flavors.
Add spring onions at the end for freshness.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with:
- Steamed white rice
- Fried rice
- Noodles
- Sweet chili sauce or garlic sauce on the side
🔥 Tips for Perfect Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Always dry shrimp well before coating
- Use high heat for frying to keep shrimp crispy
- Do not overcook shrimp—they become rubbery
- Adjust chili quantity based on spice preference
- Freshly ground pepper gives the best flavor
🌶️ Variations
1. Spicy Version:
Add crushed red chili flakes or Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing heat.
2. Air Fryer Version:
Lightly spray coated shrimp with oil and air fry at 200°C for 8–10 minutes.
3. Garlic Butter Twist:
Add a small knob of butter at the end for richer flavor.
🥗 Nutritional Insight (Approximate)
- Calories: 300–350 per serving
- Protein: High
- Carbs: Moderate
- Fat: Medium
💡 Final Thoughts
Salt and Pepper Shrimp is one of those dishes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal ingredients. The contrast between crispy shrimp and aromatic seasoning makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re cooking for family or creating content for your food page, this recipe is simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying.
