Spicy, Sweet, and Savory: The Ultimate Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe for Quick Weeknight Meals
Discover the secret to perfectly battered and pan-fried Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp – a vibrant, flavorful dish that comes together in under 30 minutes. This easy-to-follow recipe, featuring tender shrimp, aromatic jalapeños and onions, and fresh cilantro, is your ideal solution for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. Serve it with brown rice for a complete and wholesome meal!
Prepare to indulge in a culinary delight featuring succulent, tender, and subtly sweet shrimp, perfectly coated in a light, crispy batter and swiftly pan-fried to golden perfection. This isn’t just any shrimp; it’s a symphony of flavors, elevated by the bright, zesty kick of sliced jalapeños, the caramelized sweetness of onions, and a finishing flourish of fresh cilantro that adds both vibrant color and an irresistible aroma. These homemade salt and pepper shrimp are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and make you a truly happy camper.
Life can get hectic, and for many of us, busy schedules often lead to a dreaded question: “What’s for dinner?” When cooking for one, especially, the motivation to whip up an elaborate meal can plummet. For a while, after my husband started his travels, I diligently prepped meals on Sundays, feeling like a responsible adult. But as the weeks wore on, that enthusiasm began to wane. My meal prep efforts dwindled, and soon, quick fixes like takeout pizza or scrambled eggs in tortillas, piled high with salsa and cheddar, became an all-too-frequent affair. While those “brinner” (breakfast for dinner) moments are undeniably comforting, a persistent little voice inside me began to clamor for more variety, something fresh, fast, and utterly delicious.
And that’s precisely where this incredible Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe steps in. It’s not just a dish; it’s a culinary savior, proving that a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful meal is absolutely within reach, even on your busiest weeknights. This recipe embodies everything you could want: minimal ingredients, straightforward steps, and a result that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
The inspiration for this delightful Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe comes from a beloved local Chinese restaurant in my hometown. Every time I visit, I find myself irresistibly drawn to their version, piling countless savory shrimp onto my plate. The flavors are simply unforgettable – that perfect balance of heat, salt, and a subtle sweetness that keeps you coming back for more. One evening, my sister Fatima and I, in a spontaneous burst of culinary ambition (and a shared inability to decide who would drive to the restaurant!), decided to try our hand at recreating this magic at home. Anyone with a sister knows the dynamic; those Pop Sugar and Buzzfeed articles about sisterly bonds? We are them to a T, squabbles and all, especially when it comes to food and who’s making the effort!
Crafting the Perfect Salt and Pepper Shrimp: Ingredients and Preparation
This recipe begins with 1 ½ pounds of large shrimp. The critical first step, often overlooked but absolutely essential for a perfectly crispy coating, is to thoroughly dry the thawed shrimp with paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of a good batter, preventing it from adhering properly and resulting in a less-than-ideal texture.
In a medium bowl, we’ll create the simple yet effective batter. Whisk together sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cornstarch, and two egg whites. The cornstarch is key here; it helps create that desirable light, crisp coating when pan-fried. The egg whites act as a binder, ensuring the seasoning adheres evenly to each shrimp. Once the batter is mixed, add your dried shrimp and toss them thoroughly, ensuring every piece is generously and uniformly coated. Don’t be shy – get in there with a spoon or your hands to make sure each shrimp is ready for its transformation.
Mastering the Pan-Frying Technique for Tender Perfection
While our favorite Chinese restaurant likely deep-fries their salt and pepper shrimp for maximum crispiness, we’re opting for a lighter, quicker, and equally delicious pan-fry method at home. This approach significantly reduces the amount of oil needed without sacrificing flavor or texture. For this reason, a high-quality nonstick skillet is an invaluable tool for this recipe. It ensures easy flipping, prevents sticking, and makes cleanup a breeze. This is the nonstick skillet I personally use and absolutely adore.
Once your skillet is hot with a tablespoon of oil, pan-fry the battered shrimp in batches. I typically do three batches, using about a tablespoon of oil for each. Batch cooking is crucial to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the temperature and cause the shrimp to steam instead of crisp up. Cook the shrimp for approximately 1 minute per side, just until they curl into a distinct ‘C’ shape and turn opaque. This quick cooking time is vital; shrimp can go from perfectly tender to rubbery in a matter of seconds, so keep a close eye on them!
Once each batch is cooked, remove the shrimp to a plate and keep them warm. With the shrimp set aside, it’s time to build the aromatic base. Add the thinly sliced jalapeños and onions to the remaining oil drippings in the pan. If your pan seems too dry, a mere teaspoon of additional oil will suffice. Stir-fry the peppers and onions for about 1-2 minutes, or until they become fragrant and slightly softened. This step allows the vegetables to release their natural oils and sweet, spicy essences, creating a deeply flavorful foundation for the dish. Finally, return all the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss them gently with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly coated in the delicious, freshly developed flavors. Sprinkle with a small pinch of extra salt and a generous amount of black pepper to taste, then cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld. Finish by scattering fresh chopped cilantro over the top for a burst of freshness and color.
Perfect Pairings and Flavor Customization
These versatile Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a classic and comforting meal, serve them alongside steamed brown rice, white rice, or even a flavorful fried rice. If you’re looking for lighter or low-carb options, cauliflower mash or mashed potatoes also make excellent accompaniments, soaking up all those delicious pan juices. The possibilities are truly endless!
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. You can choose to leave the tails on your shrimp for a more traditional presentation or remove them for easier eating – either way, the flavor remains superb. For those who prefer a milder spice level, simply use one jalapeño instead of two, or remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before slicing, as these are where most of the heat resides. This allows you to fully enjoy the vibrant flavors without overwhelming your palate.
This dish is the epitome of efficiency: it’s incredibly fast, delightfully easy, and bursting with flavor, all while using just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s a testament to how quick cooking can still be gourmet. Seriously, GET ON THIS, FRIENDS. You won’t regret it.
Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
A simple and quick recipe for tender Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp. These battered shrimp are pan-fried to perfection and then tossed with savory sliced jalapeños, sweet onions, and fresh chopped cilantro. An ideal, flavorful weeknight dinner ready in minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp (peeled, deveined, and thoroughly dried on paper towels)
- 1 ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon black pepper (plus more for seasoning)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 egg whites
- ½ onion, thinly sliced
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 3-4 tablespoons oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, cornstarch, and egg whites until well combined. Ensure your shrimp have been completely dried on paper towels before adding them to the batter. Add the shrimp to the batter and stir thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add one-third of the battered shrimp, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 1 minute on each side, until the shrimp curl into a ‘C’ shape and turn opaque. Immediately remove the cooked shrimp to a clean plate and set aside. Repeat this process for the remaining 2 batches of shrimp, adding 1 tablespoon of oil for each new batch.
- Once all shrimp are cooked and removed, assess the skillet. If there’s no oil left, drizzle in a teaspoon of fresh oil and allow it to heat for a few seconds. Add the sliced onions and jalapeños to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly softened. Return all the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Using a spatula, toss the shrimp around to ensure they are evenly coated with the fragrant onions and jalapeños. Sprinkle with a small pinch of additional salt and black pepper to taste, seasoning everything evenly. Let cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before removing from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro and serve immediately with your choice of white, brown, or fried rice, or even cauliflower mash or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- You have the option to remove the tail or leave them on for the shrimp, depending on your preference. Both methods work perfectly for this recipe!
- To adjust the spice level, feel free to remove the jalapeños before serving if you desire a very mild dish. For a subtly spicier kick without too much heat, I recommend using just 1 jalapeño, and you can even remove the seeds and membranes for further moderation.
Have you made this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!
Nutritional Insights: Is This a Good Choice For You?
The provided nutritional facts are estimated for 1/4th of the entire recipe, assuming the use of 1 jalapeño and 3 tablespoons of oil. Please note that exact values can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods. This quick and flavorful dish can easily fit into various dietary plans with slight adjustments to serving size or accompaniments.
In conclusion, this Jalapeño Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe offers a fantastic way to bring vibrant, restaurant-quality flavors into your home with minimal effort. It’s a testament to the fact that delicious, homemade meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a small gathering, these spicy, sweet, and savory shrimp are sure to become a cherished part of your weeknight dinner rotation. Enjoy the simplicity and savor the incredible taste!