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These simple and delicious salt and pepper shrimp are quick, easy, and delicious in their simplicity.
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!
Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Have you ever know someone who swears they hate all seafood- including shrimp? I have a few friends who swear up and down they hate shrimp for its rubbery texture and fishy taste. When they tall me that, I usually try to explain that rubbery texture and an overly fishy taste is either because they aren’t cooking with fresh shrimp, or more likely- they are overcooking their shrimp. Shrimp really get funky if overcooked- and it is easy to overcook them. This simple, fresh and delicious recipe for Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a quick- we’re talking under 10 minutes- foolproof way to get the most delicious shrimp ever!
There are two vitally important parts to this dish that will ensure your shrimp are full of flavor that is light, bright and un-fishy- and to be sure you avoid the overly rubber-like texture shrimp can easily take on if overcooked.
The first trick is to have a very hot pan. Preheat your pan before you add oil, and make sure your oil is nice and shimmery before adding ingredients. This helps cook the shrimp quickly, and keeps them from taking on a weird texture.
The second, and most vital, trick is to bring your shrimp just to opaque. Cook your shrimp on a high heat, tossing as you go, just until they are no longer grey. When all your shrimp have just turned white, pull them off the heat! They will continue to cook for a few minutes after removing them, and you do not want them dried out. As long as you’re starting with fresh (or fresh frozen and then fully thawed), smell-less fish, you need not worry about temperature. Once it is opaque, it’s cooked.
This dish is amazing with simple asian inspired sides like garlic broccoli, rice, ginger green beans- or even in mexican themed dishes like tacos, burritos and enchiladas!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do- it’s my fail-safe way to make the most delicious shrimp, ever!
Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe
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Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Equipment
- FineDine 24-Piece Superior Glass Food Storage Containers Set – Newly Innovated Hinged Locking lids – 100% Leakproof Glass Meal-Prep Containers, Great On-the-Go & Freezer-to-Oven-Safe Food Containers
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup garlic, diced
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick pan on medium high heat until hot (but not smoking).
- Add oil to pan, heat until shimmery (about 30 seconds).
- Add shrimp, stir.
- Add garlic, salt and pepper.
- Toss shrimp until just white all over. Do not overcook.
- Serve with salad, veggies, rice, or in tacos!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What size shrimp do you use for this recipe?
I usually use large shrimp because I like their taste, but you can use any size you like, just be sure to keep it around the same total weight.
I am literally going to go out and buy shrimp today and make this for dinner. I adore salt and pepper shrimp but always order it in. I did not realize how simple it would be to make and I love to cook! Just always thought there was some secret ingredient of something. In any case, thank you so much, my mouth is watering for this right now.