Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
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Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
This Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp is a great homemade option to an amazing finger-licking traditional Jamaican delicacy. Made in just 30 minutes, this shrimp is smothered in a spicy scotch bonnet seasoning + base, with hints of butteriness, and is perfect when eaten by itself or with your favorite simple side. Meat + dairy-free options.
This Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp is one that hits home for me. Growing up, I remember visiting family in Jamaica every summer and always indulging in pepper shrimp whenever we visited certain areas that sold them freshly made. Although, I was young, I was obsessed with spicy food (Thanks to my Grandpa) and this shrimp was my favorite and still is. So, of course I had to pay homage to my childhood years and re-create this Jamaican staple among these other amazing recipes like Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken, Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken, Spicy Jamaican Beef Patties, and Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken.
Personally, this recipe makes for a great addition to any day and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or addition to your favorite lunch or dinner dish that asks for shrimp. This Jamaican 'Pepper' Shrimp recipe is family-friendly, a crowd-pleaser (even for semi-spicy fans), super easy to make, only uses a few staple ingredients, the perfect balance of heat/savory, works as an appetizer or snack or main meal when paired with your favorite side, + flavorful. Plus, it comes with a meat alternative + dairy-free options.
What is Jamaican Pepper Shrimp?
Basically, Jamaican Pepper Shrimp is oven cooked shrimp that is coated with melted butter and a spicy pepper seasoning and scotch bonnet base and originally done with red food coloring for that bright color that we often see. However, for this recipe, I chose to opt out of the food coloring and instead use my homemade scotch bonnet pepper sauce to achieve a similar bright red look. It's very spicy, but really delicious.
Jump to:
- What is Jamaican Pepper Shrimp?
- Ingredients for Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Substitute for Scotch Bonnet Peppers
- How to Make Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Do You Eat the Skin on Pepper Shrimp?
- What Is Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce?
- How to Make Homemade Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
- Meal Prepping Ideas
- Why You Will LOVE Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- What to Serve with Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
- Common Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp Q + A's
- More Seafood Related Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
Ingredients for Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
Here’s what you need for this spicy shrimp:
- Shrimp. I use jumbo or colossal, which are the biggest and sweetest.
- Smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted.
- Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor. You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for the greatest ease and authentic flavor.
- Garlic. You should use about 4 cloves and mince them.
- Scotch bonnet pepper sauce. You can find these in specialty Caribbean stores, however, if needed---you can make your own homemade version.
- Scotch bonnet. You can find these in specialty Caribbean stores, however, if needed---you can use habanero peppers.
Substitute for Scotch Bonnet Peppers
If you don't have any scotch bonnet peppers on hand or you'd just prefer to use something else, no worries! You can substitute with habanero peppers.
How to Make Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Making Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp is super easy and only requires a small number of ingredients. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a standard baking dish with butter. Set aside.
- In a bowl, add the clean and rinsed shrimp, minced garlic, smoked paprika, all-purpose blend, and salt, mixing together until combined and shrimp are coated. Add in the chopped scotch bonnet and let everything sit for 10 minutes or so to marinate.
- Add the marinated shrimp (along with minced garlic and pepper pieces) into the prepared baking dish, spreading them out evenly. Add the cubed butter atop shrimp and tuck a few pieces in between the shrimp.
- Bake shrimp for 20-25 minutes or until the butter has fully melted and the shrimp becomes bright in color and tender. NOTE: Halfway through, be sure to stir the shrimp and ingredients in the baking dish together so that they infuse well while baking.
- Once done, remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Do You Eat the Skin on Pepper Shrimp?
Yes, absolutely! The shrimp shells are baked until tender and is infused with seasonings and spice, which make it truly easy and delicious to eat as a whole. Of course, if preferred, you can always remove the shells.
What Is Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce?
Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce is a spicy and tasty condiment from Jamaica essentially it's Jamaican hot sauce. It's made with Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, vinegar, and spices like ginger and pimento berries. This sauce brings serious heat, thanks to the fiery Scotch bonnet peppers. It's perfect for adding a kick to all sorts of dishes, from meats to soups and more!
How to Make Homemade Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
To make your own version of Jamaican pepper sauce for these spicy shrimp is super easy to make and only requires a handful of ingredients that are blended together until fully broken down and "liquid" like. Here's what you need:
- Scotch bonnet peppers. Whole + stems removed. Our spicy delicious powerhouse!
- Carrots. Peeled + chopped.
- Onion. You can use red, white, or yellow onions.
- Green onions. Aka scallions, ends trimmed.
- Garlic bulbs. A strong + pungent flavor that adds depth! You can use less than the recipe calls for for a lighter flavor.
- Ginger root. Be sure to peel it first!
- Pimento berries. A Jamaican staple ---Brings warm, peppery notes to the mix.
- Raw honey. Raw honey has better flavor, texture and is better for you (very high in antioxidants) than processed honey. I love the brand Nate's.
- White vinegar. Adds a little bit of acidity.
- Lime. Freshly-squeezed.
- Smoked paprika + garlic powder. For some smokiness and umami flavor.
- Sea salt. To taste.
Meal Prepping Ideas
This is a great recipe for meal prep. Simply prepare the shrimp and season it one day prior to making it. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and the day of----prep your remaining ingredients and add them together in a standard baking dish. Follow cooking instructions and wallah.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SAUCE!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Jamaican 'Pepper' Shrimp'. Everything from whisks, blenders, knives, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Why You Will LOVE Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Adds a Caribbean flair to any dish
- Completely versatile + easily adaptable whether it's meat, seafood, or plant-based options, this style of flavor adds SO MUCH depth, character + heat.
- Make ahead + family-friendly!
- Super easy to whip up!
- It's an instant spicy upgrade to any meal and the way you eat shrimp.
What to Serve with Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
The best sides to serve with your Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp can be any of the following:
- Basmati or Coconut Rice
- Salad
- Mashed Potatoes
- Boiled or Roasted corn
- Noodles
- Naan Bread
- Coleslaw
- Brown Rice
- Fries or Potato wedges or Onion rings
- Pasta salad
- And more!
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
Yes! While it may sound counterintuitive, using frozen and thawed, shrimp can actually be advantageous. Opting for frozen shrimp allows you to have more control over the quality and timing of your meal preparation. It's like having a secret stash of deliciousness in your freezer, ready to be transformed into a scrumptious meal whenever you desire an easy weeknight dinner.
How to Best Cook Brown Rice
While rice remains one of the biggest staples in food, it’s super important to note that brown rice is a great healthy alternative to white rice. Most of the benefits however, comes from the way it is prepared compared to it’s counterparts.
Brown Rice is a whole grain (meaning that it contains 3-parts of the grain kernel) which makes it highly nutritious and loaded with vitamins and fiber.
When it comes to cooking brown rice—-it should be thoroughly rinsed like all other rices, however, the cook time is a bit longer. Usually, it’s best to boil it in enough water that slightly covers the rice and once the water has boiled, reducing the heat to low and simmering the rice covered for about 15-20 minutes or so is key.
The Best Rice Alternative: Cauliflower Rice
OK, so as you can see, cauliflower has some pretty awesome benefits, so why not use it as a substitute for rice in this recipe, right? My sentiments exactly. The great thing is that making Cauliflower is SUPER easy! Granted, if you’re low on time and energy, you can always purchase cauliflower rice via your Amazon or other stores that sell great healthy options.
However, if you’re into making it from scratch like I did, then look no further. This recipe includes a handful of easy steps that will ensure that your rice comes out perfectly by simply using a food processor:
- Start off by breaking up the cauliflower into florets and rinsing and then patting dry.
- Next—add the florets to a food processor, pulsing a few times until fully broken up and minced into a “rice-like” consistency.
- Lastly, you add the cauliflower to a skillet along with your seasoning and a few ingredients and wallah!
Common Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp Q + A's
Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.
Absolutely! You can do this spicy rendition with other meat and seafood like lobster, salmon, chicken, tofu, chickpeas, jackfruit, etc.
Depending on your spicy tolerance, this recipe has a real kick. However, the butter definitely "cools" down the spiciness a lot. To tone down the spicy level, reduce the amount of scotch bonnet pepper used and add 2 Tbsps or so of honey.
Yes! Simply prepare the shrimp and season it one day prior to making it. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and the day of----prep your remaining ingredients and add them together in a standard baking dish. Follow cooking instructions and wallah.
While traditionally scotch bonnet peppers are used in Jamaican dishes, unfortunately, they might not be found easily in some areas, therefore, substituting them with habanero peppers, jalapeños, etc works just fine! For equal spice to scotch bonnet, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a few drops of hot sauce when substituting.
Yes, you can if desired! The shrimp shells/tails are cooked until tender and are infused with seasonings and spice, which make it truly easy and delicious to eat as a whole. Of course, if preferred, you can always remove the shells.
When selecting shrimp for this recipe, I suggest going for jumbo or colossal shrimp, if available. These sizes strike a balance between being substantial enough to provide a satisfying bite and not too overwhelming. However, you can opt for large or smaller shrimp if that's what you have---just use more!
Of course! To make this recipe dairy-free, simply substitute the butter with vegan butter.
More Seafood Related Recipes
- Sheet Pan Garlic Herb Salmon, Lobster, + Veggies
- Creamy Lobster Bisque
- Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
- Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice
- One Pot Creamy Lobster + Orzo
- Savory Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Best Easy Blackened Shrimp Po’Boy
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. wild-caught jumbo or colossal shrimp, deveined (For colossal shrimp, you may night twice the amount)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed into small to medium chunks
- 1 cup Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce (You can also use store-bought sauce; You can add more pepper sauce for a bolder spicy flavor---up to ½ cup more)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsps smoked paprika
- 2 tsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes)
- Pinch of sea salt
- 4 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped + slit whole (You can also use habanero peppers, if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a standard baking dish with butter. Set aside.
MARINATE THE SHRIMP:
- In a bowl, add the clean and rinsed shrimp, scotch bonnet pepper sauce, minced garlic, smoked paprika, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, and salt, mixing everything together until combined and shrimp are coated well. Add in the chopped scotch bonnet and let everything sit for 10 minutes or so to marinate. NOTE: It's always best to marinate the shrimp overnight by storing it in the refrigerator completely covered. When ready to cook, simply bring to room temperature for 30 minutes or so before baking.
TO MAKE THE 'PEPPER' SHRIMP:
- Add the marinated shrimp (along with minced garlic and scotch bonnet peppers) into the prepared baking dish, spreading them out evenly. Add the cubed butter atop shrimp and tuck a few pieces in between the shrimp until all used.
- Bake shrimp for 20-25 minutes or until the butter has fully melted and the shrimp becomes bright in color and tender. NOTE: Halfway through, be sure to stir the shrimp and ingredients in the baking dish together so that they infuse well while baking and the shrimp remain moist.
- Once done, remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides like garlic bread, rice, salad, boiled corn, mashed potatoes, naan bread, grilled vegetables, etc.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.
- MEAT OPTIONS: You can do this spicy rendition with other meat and seafood like lobster, salmon, tofu, chickpeas, jackfruit, etc.
- HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE BLEND: 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, + 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this recipe dairy-free, simply substitute the butter with vegan butter.
Nutrition
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