Description
This Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe features large shrimp lightly coated in cornstarch and fried to a crispy, golden perfection. Tossed with aromatic garlic, fresh chilies, green onions, and a flavorful seasoning blend of salt, white pepper, and sugar, this dish delivers a perfect balance of spice and savory flavors. Served hot with lemon wedges, it’s a quick and delicious seafood dinner that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (leave tails on if desired)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Seasoning Mix
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
For Frying and Stir-Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the salt, ground white pepper, and sugar thoroughly to create the seasoning blend that will season the shrimp after frying.
- Coat the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Lightly coat each shrimp with cornstarch, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin, even coating that will crisp up nicely when fried.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer carefully and fry them for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until they turn golden and are just cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Stir-fry Aromatics: Remove excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 teaspoon in the pan to keep the flavors rich. Add the minced garlic, sliced red chilies, sliced green onions, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Stir-fry this mixture for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toss Shrimp with Seasoning: Return the fried shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle the previously prepared seasoning mix over them, and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the flavors to combine well.
- Add Shaoxing Wine (Optional): If using, pour in the Shaoxing wine or dry sherry now and cook for an additional few seconds to let the alcohol evaporate, enriching the flavor of the dish.
- Serve: Serve the salt and pepper shrimp hot, garnished with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over before eating.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by reducing the amount of fresh red chilies or omitting the crushed red pepper flakes completely if you prefer a milder dish.
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the shrimp by frying them once, resting briefly, and frying a second time until extra golden and crunchy.
- This dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice or a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
