Bring the authentic flavors of Cantonese cuisine to your dinner table with this irresistible Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family recipe. This crispy, aromatic dish combines perfectly seasoned shrimp with fragrant spices that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. The combination of crispy exterior and tender shrimp interior creates an incredible texture contrast, while the aromatic blend of garlic, chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns provides layers of flavor that dance on your palate. It’s quick enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for entertaining guests, making it the perfect addition to your family’s favorite recipes.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – using just a handful of ingredients, you can create something truly special that brings the family together around the dinner table. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free when using cornstarch, making it accessible for various dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb medium shrimp (shell-on or peeled, deveined)
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch (or tapioca starch for lighter texture)
- 3 Tbsp oil (avocado or other high smoke-point oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 fresh chili (jalapeño, serrano, or Fresno), thinly sliced
- ½ tsp coarse sea salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- ½ tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns or black pepper
- Optional: chopped cilantro or scallions for garnish
How to Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels – this is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy texture. If using shell-on shrimp, you can leave them on for extra flavor and crunch, or remove shells for easier eating. Toss the shrimp with cornstarch until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.
Step 2: Heat the Oil Heat oil in a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. The oil should be hot enough that a piece of garlic sizzles immediately when added.
Step 3: Fry the Shrimp Add the cornstarch-coated shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove shrimp and drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Create the Aromatic Base In the same pan with remaining oil, add minced garlic and sliced chilies. Stir-fry for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned – be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5: Combine and Season Return the crispy shrimp to the pan and toss quickly with the garlic and chilies. Sprinkle with salt, white pepper, and ground Sichuan peppercorns. Toss everything together for 30 seconds to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Step 6: Serve Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped cilantro or scallions if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Helpful Tips
Choose medium-sized shrimp for the best balance of flavor and texture – they’re large enough to develop a good crust but won’t become tough when cooked. If your family prefers milder heat, remove the seeds from the chilies before slicing.
For extra crispiness, make sure your shrimp are completely dry before coating with cornstarch. Any moisture will prevent proper crisping and can cause dangerous oil splatter.
The key to perfect Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family is timing – work quickly once you start cooking to prevent the garlic from burning and to keep the shrimp at peak crispiness.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
This recipe scales beautifully for larger family gatherings – simply multiply ingredients proportionally and work in batches to maintain the proper oil temperature and avoid overcrowding.
Notes
Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique numbing sensation that’s traditional in this dish, but regular black pepper works well as a substitute. You can find Sichuan peppercorns at Asian grocery stores or online.
Shell-on shrimp adds extra flavor and traditional presentation, but peeled shrimp works perfectly for family-style dining where easy eating is preferred.
The dish is best served immediately after cooking to maintain the crispy texture that makes Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family so special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe? Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before coating with cornstarch. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
What if I can’t find Sichuan peppercorns? Regular black pepper or white pepper works fine as a substitute, though you’ll miss the unique numbing sensation that makes this dish authentic.
Can I make this dish less spicy for kids? Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of chili or remove the seeds, and consider using a milder variety like Fresno peppers instead of jalapeño.
How do I know when the oil is the right temperature? The oil should shimmer and a piece of garlic should sizzle immediately when added. If you have a thermometer, aim for 350°F (175°C).
Can I prepare anything ahead of time? You can clean and devein the shrimp earlier in the day, but the cornstarch coating and cooking should be done just before serving for best results.
Storage Instructions
Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family is best enjoyed immediately after cooking when the coating is at its crispiest. However, leftover shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
To reheat, avoid the microwave which will make the coating soggy. Instead, reheat in a 400°F oven for 3-4 minutes, or quickly pan-fry in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side to restore some crispiness.
Note that reheated shrimp won’t have the same crispy texture as fresh, so this dish is really best enjoyed immediately after cooking.
Conclusion
This Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family recipe brings the exciting flavors of Cantonese cuisine right to your family dinner table. With its perfect balance of crispy texture, aromatic spices, and tender shrimp, it’s sure to become a beloved family favorite that you’ll find yourself making again and again.
The simplicity of the ingredients combined with the impressive results makes this dish perfect for both weeknight family dinners and special occasions. Your family will love gathering around the table to enjoy this restaurant-quality dish made with love in your own kitchen.
So fire up that wok, gather your family, and get ready to create some delicious memories with this incredible Salt and Pepper Shrimp for Your Family recipe!