Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Crisp shrimp tossed with chilli, garlic, and pepper.
Ingredients
- 500 g Shrimp
- 4 tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp White pepper
- 5 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 Dried chilies (optional)
- 2 Scallions (optional)
Method
- Toss the shrimp in the cornstarch to coat; mince the garlic, chili, and scallions.
- Fry the shrimp in the hot oil until crisp and golden, then drain on paper.
- Pour off most of the oil, stir-fry the garlic, chili, and scallions until fragrant, then return the shrimp and toss with the salt and white pepper.
- Serve at once.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Salt and pepper shrimp is a Cantonese restaurant staple, prized for the contrast between a shatteringly crisp exterior and the sweet, snappy shrimp inside. The crunch here comes from a light cornstarch coating and a proper hot-oil fry, which seals the surface before the shrimp overcook. What defines the dish is the aromatic finish: garlic, dried chilies, and scallions are stir-fried until fragrant, then the shrimp are tumbled back in and dusted with salt and toasted white pepper. That white pepper is the signature note, floral and warm in a way black pepper isn't.
This is a fast, high-heat dish meant to be eaten the moment it leaves the wok, while the coating is still crisp. Traditionally the shrimp are cooked in the shell, which crisps up and carries much of the seasoning, though peeled works too. Serve it as an appetizer to share, with cold beer or a squeeze of lime, or turn it into a light main over plain rice. At twenty-odd minutes start to finish, it rewards having everything minced and ready before the oil gets hot.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Salt and Pepper Shrimp?
A serving has about 314 calories — 26g protein, 12.8g carbs, 18.1g fat, 1.5g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is it high in protein?
Each serving has about 26g of protein, roughly 33% of its calories.
Is Salt and Pepper Shrimp gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Salt and Pepper Shrimp has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Salt and Pepper Shrimp take to make?
About 22 minutes start to finish, but only around 16 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Salt and Pepper Shrimp?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out dried chilies, scallions — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Salt and Pepper Shrimp make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.