The Trinidad style Garlic Pepper Shrimp recipe can be made in 25 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients. It is a very flavorful, gently hot, and delicious shrimp dish. It is also perfect for dinners and suitable as an appetizer.
I always prefer making a restaurant-style dinner with minimal work and minimal ingredients.
This Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe is one such recipe. It looks highly appetitive, tastes delicious, and takes less than 25 minutes to prepare.
This Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe is not as complicated as you thought(it's the same as this Hawaiian shrimp recipe). It's simple, like making a simple shrimp stir fry. All you need to do is collect the ingredients.
No worries! We have easy-to-find ingredients to make this accessible to the typical American kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️A satisfying comfort food.
⭐️Tried and tested with the perfect results.
⭐️A classic flavorful recipe.
Ingredients
- Cooking Oil: I've used vegetable oil. You can use the sesame oil(the authentic choice) if you have access.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is excellent.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger provides a warmth. It's good to have fresh ginger; otherwise, you can skip using it.
- Shrimp: I have used medium-sized shrimp, but jumbo or small shrimp taste equally good.
- Bell Pepper: Adds some mild sweetness. Yellow or red peppers would also work.
- Pimento Peppers: Adds a mild heat; you can swap red bell peppers to lower the heat.
- Cilantro: I'm using cilantro for this dish recipe.
- Thyme: Fresh or dried thyme both work well, depending on your availability.
- Lime Juice: Lemon juice works fine, too.
- Soy Sauce: Light or dark soy sauce works fine(remember, dark soy sauce is a bit more salty than light soy sauce).
- Tomato Ketchup: Use whatever you have at home;
How To Make Trinidad Garlic Pepper Shrimp
- Place a pan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of vegetable oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for 10-20 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the green bell peppers, pimento pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
- Add chopped cilantro, fresh thyme, lime juice, soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and crushed black pepper.
- Add shrimp and cook on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn opaque.
- Remove the heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or fresh garden salad.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This Trinidad-style garlic pepper shrimp recipe is gently spiced; pimento and black pepper are the primary heat sources.
You can adjust the amount of peppers to make this dish taste with mild or moderate heat.
The Leftovers
This Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe is freezer-friendly.
- In the Fridge: You can store this classic pepper shrimp in the refrigerator for about three days.
- In the Freezer: Transfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe container or plastic bag and freeze for up to two months.
- Thawing: Place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. You can also gently thaw them in the microwave.
- Reheating: Add a splash of water and toss the shrimp over medium heat until heated.
Pro Tips For Best Results
- Choosing the Shrimp: Grocery stores carry two varieties of shrimp: cooked and raw. For this recipe, choose raw shrimp.
- Should you serve tail-on or tail-off shrimp? It's up to you to decide based on the individual's preference. Both taste equally good.
- Deveining the Shrimp: This is an important step. Most of the shrimp you get in stores are deveined, but ensure they are done correctly. Some shrimp might still have veins, so remove them if necessary.
- For Authentic flavors: Our Trinidad pepper shrimp tastes delicious. However, the authentic Trinidad recipe calls for culantro(a unique Trinidad herb with more robust flavors than cilantro); if your local stores have it, you hit the jackpot. You can replace it with the cilantro in this recipe.
- Soy Sauce: Since soy sauce has a high salt content(dark soy sauce is a bit saltier than the lighter version), be cautious and taste it before further seasoning with salt.
- Do Not Overcook the Shrimp: Cooking the shrimp to the right stage is essential for this Trinidad pepper shrimp to achieve the best results.
FAQ
This is a popular recipe from the Trinidad and Tobago cuisine in the Caribbean islands. The cuisine is influenced by West African, Indian, Chinese, Native American, Arab, and other cuisines.
A straight shrimp is undercooked, while a C-shaped shrimp is perfectly done. If it tightens into an "O" shape, it's overcooked. Aim for a "C" shape for the best texture.
This Trinidad pepper shrimp is best served hot as soon as it is made. However, you can make it two days before serving. Gently reheat over the stovetop before serving.
Yes, you can add scallops or chunks of fish. You can also toss in other vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and more.
More Shrimp Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Garlic Pepper Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 green bell peppers sliced
- 1 pimento pepper chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme fresh/dried
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- ½ teaspoon black pepper crushed
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Place a pan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for 10-20 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the green bell peppers and pimento pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, fresh thyme, lime juice, soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and crushed black pepper.
- Add the shrimp and cook on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn opaque.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- Customize the Ingredients: For an authentic touch, swap vegetable oil with sesame oil. If available, use lemon juice instead of lime juice and culantro instead of cilantro.
- Adjust the Spice Level: The dish is gently spiced with pimento peppers and black pepper. To lower the heat, use red bell peppers instead. For extra heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos.
- Proper Shrimp Cooking: Choose raw shrimp for the best texture. Avoid overcooking. When perfectly cooked, shrimp should curl into a "C" shape. If it forms an "O" shape, it's overcooked.
- Storage & Freezing: Store in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to two months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave's defrost setting.
- Reheating Tips: To reheat, add a splash of water and toss the shrimp over medium heat until heated. Avoid overheating to keep the shrimp tender.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
The recipe is easy to follow and allows for customization based on personal spice preferences. Whether you're looking to spice up your weeknight dinner or impress guests at a gathering, this Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe is a winner that will leave everyone craving more!
pepperbowl says
So happy to hear it, thanks Shadi!
Beth says
I've been overdue to make shrimp for the family, and this is going to be what I try next. I love the flavors from that part of the world, and this actually looks so much easier than I would have thought.
pepperbowl says
Beth, this makes me so happy to hear, thank you!
Anjali says
This might be my new favorite way to prepare shrimp! It was super flavorful and had a nice spice to it!
pepperbowl says
Great to hear, Anjali!