Chinese Salt & Pepper

Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
A fragrant, numbing spice blend that adds authentic depth to stir-fries and fried dishes
Chinese Salt & Pepper recipe image

This homemade Chinese salt and pepper blend captures the essence of authentic Sichuan cuisine with its unique balance of salinity and tingling heat. By toasting whole Szechwan peppercorns and black peppercorns with coarse salt, you unlock deep, aromatic oils that pre-ground mixes simply cannot match. The result is a vibrant seasoning with a distinct citrusy, floral note from the Szechwan peppercorns, complemented by the sharp bite of black pepper. It’s perfect for tossing with crispy vegetables, dusting over tofu, or enhancing marinades for meats. Easy to prepare in minutes, this pantry staple elevates everyday home cooking with professional-quality flavor and texture.

Chinese Salt & Pepper

Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 22.0

Description

This homemade Chinese salt and pepper blend captures the essence of authentic Sichuan cuisine with its unique balance of salinity and tingling heat. By toasting whole Szechwan peppercorns and black peppercorns with coarse salt, you unlock deep, aromatic oils that pre-ground mixes simply cannot match. The result is a vibrant seasoning with a distinct citrusy, floral note from the Szechwan peppercorns, complemented by the sharp bite of black pepper. It&# 226;ÂÂs perfect for tossing with crispy vegetables, dusting over tofu, or enhancing marinades for meats. Easy to prepare in minutes, this pantry staple elevates everyday home cooking with professional-quality flavor and texture.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or dry pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the Szechwan peppercorns and black peppercorns to the dry pan.
  3. Toast the peppercorns, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly cracked, being careful not to burn them.
  4. Add the salt to the pan with the toasted peppercorns.
  5. Continue to toast the mixture, stirring frequently, for another 2-3 minutes until the salt is warm and the spices are fully aromatic and slightly darker in color.
  6. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.
  7. Transfer the cooled spice mixture to a blender, spice grinder, or mortar and pestle.
  8. Grind or blend until the mixture reaches a fine, uniform powder consistency.
  9. Pour the ground spice blend through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean, airtight jar to remove any large husks or unground pieces.
  10. Store the finished Chinese Salt & Pepper in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6


Amount Per Serving
Calories 22.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.3g1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 156001.8mg6501%
Total Carbohydrate 5.6g2%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g9%
Sugars 0.2g
Protein 1.2g3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: chinese, salt, pepper, szechwan, peppercorns, spice, blend, seasoning, toasted, umami, numbing, aromatic, homemade, pantry, stir-fry, vegan, gluten-free, sichuan, culinary
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