Pepper Shrimp

Pepper Shrimpen

Also: Wiri wiri pepper shrimp, Guyanese pepper shrimp

Whole shell-on shrimp stir-fried hard with fiery wiri wiri pepper and garlic until coated, glistening and intensely hot, a Guyanese specialty.

Identity criteria

1Whole shrimp cooked shell-on (and head-on)
2Wiri wiri pepper provides the signature fruity heat
3Heavy garlic forms the aromatic base
4Cooked fast and hot until the shells are crisp and glazed
5Eaten shell and all, sucked clean by hand

Components

Protein

Whole shell-on shrimpessentialOften head-on

Aromatics

Garlicessential

Onion / scallionoptional

Fat

Oilessential

Acid

Limeoptional

Seasoning

Wiri wiri pepperessentialRound fruity-hot Guyanese pepper

Saltessential

Technique

Hot stir-frying / dry-frying: High heat crisps the shells and concentrates the seasoning into a glaze
Cooking shell-on: The shell protects the flesh, adds flavour, and is part of the eating experience

Form & serving

Served: Piled hot, eaten by hand
Temperature: hot
Portion: as a snack or main plate
Pairs with: rice · roti · cold beer · lime wedges

Character

Flavour

spicygarlickybrinysavouryfruity-hot

Texture

crisp shells over snappy juicy shrimp

Eaten

A fiery hand-eaten snack or main, popular as bar food and home cooking along the Guyanese coast.

When

all-year

Variations & related

Regional variations

Dry pepper shrimp · Guyana
Cooked down until almost dry and crisp
Saucy pepper shrimp · Guyana
Left with a clingy spicy sauce

Related dishes

sibling Jamaican pepper shrimp
Related Caribbean fiery shrimp tradition
pairs-with Roti
Common Guyanese accompaniment

Substitutions

Wiri wiri pepper → Scotch bonnetadmissible
Available substitute with similar heat, less of the wiri fruitiness
Lime → Lemonadmissible
Acceptable acid swap
Shell-on shrimp → Peeled shrimpinadmissible
Removing the shells loses the crisp texture and the dish's character
Wiri wiri / hot pepper → No chiliinadmissible
Without the pepper it is not pepper shrimp

Common mistakes

Peeling the shrimp before cooking, losing the crisp shell texture
Cooking on low heat so the shells steam instead of crisping
Omitting or under-using the wiri wiri pepper that defines the dish

Provenance

A Guyanese seafood specialty built on the local wiri wiri pepper, reflecting the country's love of fiery, garlicky shellfish.

Claimed by: Guyana

References

1.Guyanese coastal cuisine
2.Wiri wiri pepper culinary tradition

Confidence: high