Description
This Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that features crispy, golden shrimp seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, it combines tender shrimp with aromatic garlic and fresh green onions for a satisfying seafood dish that can be made in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound large shrimp
Coating
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Garlic & Aromatics
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Oils
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- Oil for frying (vegetable or neutral oil, enough to cover 1/2 inch in pot)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on for presentation and ease of handling. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring they fry up crispy.
- Coat the Shrimp: Toss the prepared shrimp evenly in cornstarch until well-coated. This creates a crispy exterior when fried.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Pour about 1/2 inch of oil into a large pot and heat to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the correct temperature. Fry the shrimp in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, frying for about 3-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Garlic Oil: In a small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook just until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine and Serve: Remove from heat, stir in sliced green onions, and pour the aromatic garlic mixture over the fried shrimp. Toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispy shrimp, double coat with cornstarch or use a light batter.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to taste for more or less spice.
- This dish pairs well with a simple dipping sauce like soy sauce or sweet chili sauce.
- Ensure oil is at the correct frying temperature to prevent greasy shrimp or undercooking.
- Can be made gluten-free by using rice flour instead of cornstarch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pound (about 4 shrimp)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg