Skip to main content

Salt-and-Pepper Shrimp

4.8

(17)

Photo of salt and pepper shrimp in a black bowl on a black tabletop.
Salt-and-Pepper ShrimpEva Kolenko food styling: Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling: Kalen Kaminski

Crunchy shrimp (thanks for the help, cornstarch!) gets its zesty, floral heat from Sichuan peppercorns. It's hard to believe that a main course this complex comes together so quickly. We eat these guys shells and all, but you can sub in peeled shrimp instead.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    15 minutes

Ingredients

1½ pound shell-on large shrimp
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
1 Fresno chile, thinly sliced, seeds removed if desired
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Using kitchen shears, cut along the backs of shrimp through shells and just deep enough to expose veins; remove veins. Pat shrimp dry. Whisk cornstarch, black pepper, and ¾ teaspoons salt in a large bowl; add shrimp and toss to coat.

    Step 2

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, fry shrimp until golden, crisp, and cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towels and let drain, then toss in a medium bowl with Sichuan peppercorns and remaining ¾ teaspoons salt. Add chile and cilantro to bowl and toss to combine.

Read More
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.