Salt & Pepper Shrimp 

This Salt & Pepper Shrimp is a vibrant Cantonese favorite that transforms simple ingredients into a show-stopping appetizer or main dish. Juicy shrimp—still in their shells—are dredged in potato (or corn) starch and quickly pan-fried until crispy. The iconic salt-and-pepper seasoning, made from toasted sea salt and peppercorns (often white or Sichuan), infuses each bite with a fragrant, savory punch. Tossed with aromatic garlic and fiery hot peppers, this dish balances texture and flavor in every mouthful. It’s quick to prepare, elegant to present, and sure to impress—perfect for casual dinners or festive occasions.

Ingredients

• Salt-and-pepper mixture (to taste):
  
  

  • 2 parts whole peppercorns
    
    

  • 1 part sea salt
    
    

• 1 lb large shrimp (shell-on, deveined, heads optional)
  
  

• 3 tbsp potato starch or cornstarch
  
  

• 1/3 cup oil (for shallow frying)
  
  

• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
  

• 1 long hot green or red pepper, thinly sliced
  
  

Directions

1. Make the salt-and-pepper mixture:
   
   

   • In a small pot over medium-low heat, dry roast whole peppercorns until very fragrant (about 15 minutes), then let cool and grind them finely. Dry roast sea salt until it turns slightly yellow. Once cooled, mix with ground peppercorns.
     
     

2. Prepare the shrimp:
   
   

   • Pat shrimp dry and dredge in the starch coating. Heat oil in a small cast iron skillet to about 375 °F. Fry shrimp in batches, cooking each side for ~30 seconds until crispy. Drain on paper towels and immediately sprinkle with salt-and-pepper mixture.
     
     

3. Add aromatics:
   
   

   • In a wok or skillet, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat. Fry garlic until just golden (avoid burning), then remove to drain.
     
     

   • Discard excess oil, leaving about 1 tbsp. Add sliced hot pepper; turn off the heat. Return garlic to the wok, stir for a minute, then add shrimp and toss briefly (~10 sec), adding more salt-and-pepper mixture if desired.
     
     

   • Serve immediately with steamed rice or as a flavorful appetizer.
     
     

Nutrients (per serving, approximateestimates)
 

• Calories: ~220 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~20 g
  
  

• Fat: ~14 g (mainly from oil)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~5 g (from starch)
  
  

• Fiber: ~0 g
  
  

• Sugar: ~0 g
  
  

• Sodium: ~380 mg (from salt and shrimp)
  
  

• Cholesterol: ~150 mg