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. 

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.

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?
• How to Make Homemade Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• Meal Prepping Ideas
• How to Store + Reheat 'Pepper' Shrimp
• What to Serve with Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
• 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, which are the biggest and sweetest.
• Smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
• Butter. I recommend unsalted.
• Lawry's. I use this seasoning salt for an extra punch of flavor. However, you can always substitute this with other spices + herbs like garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, cornstarch, cane sugar, and paprika (about ¼ teaspoon each).
• Thyme. I use fresh thyme sprigs.
• 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, Lawry's salt, salt, and black pepper, mixing together until combined and shrimp are coated. Add in the chopped scotch bonnet and let everything sit for 5 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. Tuck in a few thyme sprigs in between shrimp as well.
• 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.

How to Make Homemade Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce

To make your own version of 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:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-4 stalks of green onions (aka 'scallion')
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 Tbsps white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 tablespoon organic cane sugar
• 4-5 cups scotch bonnet pepper, chopped + stems removed

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.

How to Store + Reheat 'Pepper' Shrimp

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.

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:

• Rice
• Salad
• Mashed Potatoes
• Boiled or Roasted corn
• Noodles
• Coleslaw
• Rice
• Salad
• Fries or Potato wedges or Onion rings
• Pasta salad
• And more!

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 45 minutes or so is key.

How to Make 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!

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.

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