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    Home » Recipes » Shrimp » Szechuan Shrimp

    Szechuan Shrimp Recipe

    Published: November 20, 2021 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: June 29, 2024 Leave a Comment

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    The Szechuan Shrimp is a spicy treat from Szechuan province, known for its bold and complex flavors. This simple stir-fry combines the heat of dry red chilies and the unique tingle of Szechuan peppercorns with tender shrimp. While similar to Szechuan chicken, this dish stands out with its distinctive seafood flavor.

    Szechuan Shrimp in a bowlPin
    What You’ll Find On This Page
    • Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
    • How to Make Szechuan Shrimp at Home?
    • Szechuan Shrimp
    • Recipe Video
    • Chef's Notes and Tips
    • Nutrition Info
    • Serving and Storage Suggestions

    It pairs beautifully with either rice or noodles, making it a versatile choice for any meal. The key to its flavor is the Szechuan peppercorns, which add that signature numbing spice Szechuan cuisine is famous for.

    Ready in just under 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick, flavorful meal. If you're sensitive to spice, you can adjust the chili amount to suit your taste, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant Szechuan flavors without the overwhelming heat.

    Discover a World of Shrimp Recipes:

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    Ingredients and Substitutions Overview

    For this Szechuan Shrimp recipe, you can pick up the ingredients at most Asian markets. If some items are hard to find, don't worry—there are substitutions that can help you achieve a similar flavor. Let's take a look at what they are below!

    Szechuan Shrimp in a bowlPin
    • Shrimp: It's best to use fresh, cleaned, and deveined shrimp. If fresh isn't available, frozen shrimp will do—just make sure to thaw them completely at room temperature to avoid a rubbery texture.
    • Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar: These add a sweet depth to the dish and are essential for achieving that classic Asian flavor profile.
    • Ginger Garlic Paste (optional): This helps neutralize the raw smell of shrimp. If you don't have it, you can substitute with ginger and garlic powders.
    • Szechuan Peppercorns: These are crucial for the dish’s signature numbing sensation. If you're new to this ingredient, start with a small amount. If you can't find them, use Szechuan sauce or regular peppercorns as a substitute.
    • Fresh Aromatics: Use finely chopped or julienned ginger, garlic, and scallions in the stir-fry.
    • Chinese Five-Spice Powder: This blend of star anise, cloves, fennel, cinnamon, and Szechuan peppercorns adds a unique flavor to the dish. If it's unavailable, you can use paprika as a substitute, although the taste will be slightly different.
    • Corn Starch: Use it to marinate the shrimp, which helps give them a nice coating.
    • Dry Red Chilies, Pepper Powder: Adjust the amount of dry red chilies to control the heat according to your preference.
    • Oil: While sesame oil is preferred for its rich, nutty flavor, any cooking oil you have on hand can be used. For stir-frying, opt for an oil that can withstand high temperatures, such as peanut or vegetable oil, to prevent burning and maintain the flavors.

    Explore More Classic Chinese Dishes:

    • General Tso's Tofu
    • General Tso's Chicken
    • Orange Chicken
    • Vegetable Stir Fry

    How to Make Szechuan Shrimp at Home?

    Making this dish is easy and straightforward. Let's jump into the vibrant world of Szechuan cuisine with our Szechuan Shrimp recipe. Below, I've included step-by-step photos and a detailed video guide to help you along the way. Let's get started!

    Szechuan Shrimp in a bowlPin

    Discover More Dishes from Szechuan Cuisine:

    • Kung Pao Shrimp
    • Szechuan Fried Rice
    • Szechuan Chicken
    • Kung Pao Chicken
    • Szechuan Sauce
    Szechuan Shrimp in a bowlPin

    Szechuan Shrimp

    Szechuan Shrimp is a spicy and flavorful dish from Szechuan cuisine, celebrated for its bold flavors. This dish features shrimp cooked with dry red chilies and Szechuan peppercorns, offering a seafood twist on the traditional Szechuan chicken. It's an excellent side dish and goes perfectly with rice or noodles.
    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Sangeetha Vel
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Szechuan, Chinese
    Prep: 10 minutes mins
    Cook: 20 minutes mins
    Adjust 3 servings

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1½ lb Shrimp, cleaned
    • 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
    • 1 tsp Pepper Powder
    • 1 tsp Chinese Five Spice powder
    • 2 tsp Cornstarch
    • ½ tsp Baking soda
    • ½ tsp Salt
    • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
    • 3 tbsp Oil
    • 1 tsp Ginger, julienned
    • 2 tsp Garlic, julienned
    • 3 tsp Scallions, cut
    • 1 tsp Szechuan Peppercorn, reduce if you are new to this
    • 15 Dry Red Chili
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    Instructions
     

    Marinating Shrimp

    • In a bowl, combine the shrimp with pepper powder, salt, baking soda, five-spice powder, optional ginger garlic paste, and cornstarch.
      Shrimp and marinating ingredients in the bowl
    • Mix well until the shrimp are evenly coated. For enhanced flavor, allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes before frying.
      Marinating the shrimp with seasoning ingredients

    Frying the Shrimp

    • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the marinated shrimp one by one to ensure they don't stick together.
      Placing the marinated shrimp in oil
    • Fry the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking, as this can make them tough.
      Frying the shrimp
    • Remove the shrimp from the oil and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
      Perfectly fried shrimp removed and placed in tissue paper

    Making Szechuan Shrimp

    • In the same pan, using the remaining oil, sauté the ginger, garlic, and dry red chili over medium heat until they release their aromas, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
      Sautéing the aromatics
    • Quickly add the scallions and stir them just until they soften slightly and blend well with the other ingredients.
      sautéing the scallions
    • Return the fried shrimp to the pan and sprinkle with crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Toss everything together to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the spices, then remove from heat.
      stir frying the shrimp

    Serving

    • Serve your flavorful Szechuan Shrimp hot, perfect as a standalone dish or paired with steamed rice. Enjoy this fiery treat alongside your favorite rice, noodles, or complement it with any dish you prefer.
      Serving the Szechuan Shrimp

    Save This Recipe!

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    Save This Recipe!

    We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!

    Recipe Video

    Chef's Notes and Tips

    Here are a few helpful tips for your Szechuan Shrimp:
    • Szechuan Peppercorns: These are essential for the dish’s signature numbing sensation. If you’re new to using them, start with a small amount to see how you like the effect.
    • Control the Heat: Adjust the chili heat to suit your preference. If you like it milder, remove the seeds from the chilies to reduce the spiciness without losing flavor.
    • Sear the Shrimp Quickly: Cook the shrimp quickly on high heat to keep them tender and juicy, which brings out their natural sweetness.

    Nutrition Info

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 365mg | Sodium: 1177mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 2mg

    Disclaimer

    We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.

    Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

    Looking for more? Explore our collection of shrimp dishes, authentic Chinese cuisine, and a delicious assortment of Asian recipes. From savory stir-fries to mouthwatering curries, our diverse selection promises to satisfy every palate.

    Serving and Storage Suggestions

    • Pairing Options: Serve Szechuan Shrimp with a variety of rice, such as white, basmati, or brown rice, or opt for stir-fried noodles and soups for a satisfying meal. You can also pair this spicy dish with steamed vegetables or a crisp cucumber salad to balance the bold flavors with a touch of freshness.
    • Storage: To enjoy the freshest flavor, it's best to eat this shrimp dish immediately. If you end up with leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to one day, but be aware that they might lose some crispness and freshness.

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Sangeetha Vel Yellow Chili's

    Hi, I'm Sangeetha Vel! the author, recipe researcher, creator, and cooking hands behind Yellow Chili's. A realistic, friendly, empathetic, and enthusiastic foodie who loves to share authentic, easy, quick, healthy, instant, and kids-approved recipes.

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