Trinidad Pepper Shrimp

The Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe can be made in 15 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients. It is a very flavorful, gently hot, and delicious shrimp dish. It is also perfect for dinners and good as an appetizer.

How We Came Up With This Recipe?

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 and tastes delicious as well, and it takes less than 25 minutes to prepare.

This Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe is not as difficult as you thought(same as this Hawaiian shrimp). 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 common American kitchen.

What is Trinidad Pepper Shrimp?

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.

The 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.
• 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 Pepper Shrimp:

1. 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.
2. Add the green bell peppers, pimento pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
3. Add chopped cilantro, fresh thyme, lime juice, soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and crushed black pepper.
4. Add shrimp and cook on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn opaque.
5. Remove the heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or fresh garden salad.

Storage Tips

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 enough.

The Recipe Tips and Tricks

• 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, like the classic version. 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.

How To Cook Shrimps Perfectly?

• If the shrimp is straight, it's undercooked.
• If the shrimp curls into a C-shape, it's perfectly cooked.
• If the shrimp curls tightly into an O-shape, it is overcooked. Always aim for the C-shape to ensure perfect cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions