Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Spicy and savory, this delicious salt and pepper shrimp goes amazing over a bed of steamed rice for whenever you’re craving Asian food! Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
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Delicious Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Hey shrimp lovers, you’re in for a treat!
This amazingly tasty salt and pepper shrimp recipe comes together easily and is the perfect meal for your Chinese food fix.
Crispy shrimp fried till golden perfection then tossed in a mix of saut̩ed garlic, ginger, scallions and chili peppers Рthis easy recipe is a classic Chinese dish that you can find at any Chinese restaurant.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for this shrimp recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: Preparing this Chinese salt & pepper shrimp is uncomplicated Рsimply marinate the shrimp before coating it in a flour mixture and frying until golden before tossing with other saut̩ed ingredients! Delicious!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this shrimp recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or dairy intolerances can enjoy this Asian dish without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this salt and pepper shrimp recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Shrimp: Make sure to use large shrimp as the shrimp will shrink in size as it cooks.
- Chili Peppers: Depending on how well you can take heat, you can either use more or less Thai chili peppers.
- Fish Sauce: Marinating the shrimp in fish sauce adds a beautiful flavor, so make sure not to skip the step in marinating the shrimp.
- Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour which is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour).
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps to add a crispiness to the shrimp once fried, so make sure to add it in.
- Peppercorns: I used rainbow peppercorns, but you may also use Sichuan peppercorns if you want more heat.
How to Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Step by Step):
1. Marinate Shrimp
Begin by marinating the deveined shrimp in the fish sauce, then set them aside for at least 15 minutes.
2. Grind Peppercorns
While the shrimp is marinating, use a mortar and pestle to grind the peppercorns coarsely, ensuring they retain some texture.
3. Chop Ginger, Garlic and Red Peppers
Coarsely chop the garlic, ginger, and red chili peppers.
4. Coat Shrimp in Flour Cornstarch Mixture
Drain the shrimp from the fish sauce and coat them thoroughly with the mixture of gluten-free all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
Ensure each piece of shrimp is evenly coated, then set the coated shrimp aside.
5. Fry Shrimp
Heat a layer of oil in a pan, making sure it reaches 350F (175C). Fry the shrimp for approximately 3 minutes (flipping them halfway), or until they turn golden brown.
Once all the shrimp are fried, remove them from the oil and place the cooked shrimp on a plate lined with paper towels.
(Tip: Fry the shrimp in smaller batches to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.)
6. Sauté Garlic, Ginger, Peppers and Scallions
Discard the excess oil from the pan. Add about 1 tablespoon of fresh oil and heat it. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic and ginger.
Sauté them until they start to brown (2-3 minutes). Add the chopped red chili peppers to the pan and cook (1-2 minutes). Add the sliced scallions (green onions) to the pan and cook (2 minutes).
7. Toss Shrimp with Sautéed Ingredients
Gently combine the fried shrimp with the sautéed ingredients in the pan, stirring until everything is well incorporated. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Garnish and Serve
Finally, sprinkle the dish with the coarsely ground peppercorns and add coarse salt to taste. Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Storing: To store, place any leftover salt and pepper shrimp in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp up the shrimp again before serving.
Gluten-Free Shrimp Recipes to Make:
- Bang Bang Shrimp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Crispy Coconut Shrimp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Garlic Butter Shrimp with Yellow Squash Noodles (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Other Gluten-Free Asian Recipes You’ll Love:
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Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Spicy and savory, this delicious salt and pepper shrimp goes amazing over a bed of rice for whenever you’re craving Asian food! Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 red Thai chili peppers
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns, ground
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate Shrimp: Begin by marinating the shrimp in the fish sauce, then set them aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Grind Peppercorns: While the shrimp is marinating, use a mortar and pestle to grind the peppercorns coarsely, ensuring they retain some texture.
- Chop Ginger, Garlic & Red Peppers: Coarsely chop the garlic, ginger, and red chili peppers.
- Coat Shrimp in Flour Mixture: Drain the shrimp from the fish sauce and coat them thoroughly with a mixture of gluten-free all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Ensure each piece of shrimp is evenly coated, then set them aside.
- Fry Shrimp: Heat a layer of oil in a pan, making sure it reaches 350F (175C). Fry the shrimp for approximately 3 minutes (flipping them halfway), or until they turn golden brown. (Tip: Fry the shrimp in smaller batches to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.) Once all the shrimp are fried, remove them from the oil.
- Sauté Garlic, Ginger, Peppers and Scallions: Discard the excess oil from the pan. Add about 1 tablespoon of fresh oil and heat it. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic and ginger. Sauté them until they start to brown (2-3 minutes). Add the chopped red chili peppers to the pan and cook (1-2 minutes). Add the sliced scallions to the pan and cook (2 minutes).
- Toss Shrimp with Sautéed Ingredients: Gently combine the fried shrimp with the sautéed ingredients in the pan, stirring until everything is well incorporated. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Finally, sprinkle the dish with the coarsely ground peppercorns and add coarse salt to taste. Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Notes
Shrimp: Make sure to use large shrimp as the shrimp will shrink in size as it cooks.
Chili Peppers: Depending on how well you can take heat, you can either use more or less Thai chili peppers.
Fish Sauce: Marinating the shrimp in fish sauce adds a beautiful flavor, so make sure not to skip the step in marinating the shrimp.
Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour which is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour).
Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps to add a crispiness to the shrimp once fried, so make sure to add it in.
Storing: To store, place any leftover salt and pepper shrimp in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp up the shrimp again before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
