Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp
A delightful dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a flavorful blend of spices, perfect for weeknight dinners or festive occasions.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Vegetable oil for frying About 1 inch in depth
- 2-3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 fresh chili, sliced (optional) For added heat
- Lemon or lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder; mix well.
- Toss the shrimp in the cornstarch mixture until coated, shaking off any excess.
Frying
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Check if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small piece of the cornstarch mixture; it should sizzle immediately.
- Carefully add shrimp in batches, frying for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In the same skillet, sauté green onions and optional sliced chili for about 30 seconds.
- Toss the fried shrimp back in with the green onions and chili, stirring gently to combine the flavors.
Serving
- Serve the crispy shrimp immediately with lemon or lime wedges for drizzling.
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Notes
To enhance the dish's flavors, serve with steamed rice or fried rice, and have your favorite dipping sauce on hand.