How to Cook Shrimp

Shrimp have a delicate seafood flavor that pairs well with various spices and sauces. They cook quickly, making them an excellent choice for weeknight dinners or other meals you have to make in a hurry. Shrimp are delicious boiled, baked, sautéd on the stove, or grilled in the backyard.

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time (boil): 6-12 minutes
Total time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients

Shrimp
Water
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Steps

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1
Choose fresh or frozen shrimp. Most markets carry both fresh and frozen shrimp.
- If you choose fresh shrimp, the flesh should be translucent white and the shell should be light grey. Be sure the shrimp is not leaking liquid.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Frozen shrimp comes either precooked or uncooked. These cooking methods are for uncooked shrimp.
2
Choose shrimp with or without shells. Fresh shrimp are often sold pre-peeled. If you buy shrimp with shells, you will have to peel them yourself.
- Shrimp can be peeled either before or after cooking. Many find it easier to peel cooked shrimp. Cooking with the shells on also helps preserve the flavor.
- To peel shrimp, grasp the legs and tear them off. Open the shell along the inner curve of the body and remove it.^{[2]XExpert SourceEd Kuoha
  ChefExpert Interview. 9 November 2021.}
- Shrimp shells can be used to make shrimp stock.
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3
Devein the shrimp. Devein the shrimp after they have been peeled. It's easier to devein shrimp before they are cooked.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Use a sharp paring knife to cut a slit along the outer curve of the shrimp's body.^{[4]XExpert SourceEd Kuoha
  ChefExpert Interview. 9 November 2021.} The cut will reveal a dark brown or black vein, the shrimp's digestive tract. Use your fingers, a fork or the paring knife to lift it out of the shrimp and discard it.^{[5]XResearch source}
- The vein is not unhealthy to eat, but many people prefer not to.^{[6]XResearch source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Boil Shrimp

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1
Prepare the shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you plan to cook them.

Rinse them with cool water and allow them to sit at room temperature.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Shrimp can be boiled with their peels on or after they have been peeled.
^{[8]XResearch source}
Make sure they are completely submerged.
As the water begins to heat again, watch for small bubbles to break the surface of the water. This will occur after about 1 to 2 minutes, depending on how much water is in the pot. When you see the bubbles, remove the pot from the heat.^{[9]XResearch source}
Allow them to continue cooking in the hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. They will turn pink when they are finished cooking.
7
Drain the shrimp. Pour the shrimp into a strainer or colander to drain them. Serve warm.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you didn't peel your shrimp before cooking them, you can either serve them with the peel on and allow people to peel their own shrimp, or peel the shrimp yourself when they're finished cooking and serve them that way.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Sauté Shrimp

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1
Prepare the shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator and rinse them under cool water. Shake the excess water from the shrimp.
- Peel the shrimp if you would like to cook them without the shells.
- Leave the shells on if you prefer to peel them after they are cooked.
Add a tablespoon of oil and swirl it around the pan.^{[11]XResearch source}
^{[12]XExpert SourceEd Kuoha
ChefExpert Interview. 9 November 2021.} Arrange them in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap.
The side touching the pan will begin to turn pink.^{[13]XResearch source}
Make sure each shrimp gets flipped. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the second side is pink. The shrimp are finished when they have turned bright pink and the flesh is opaque white, rather than translucent.^{[14]XResearch source}
Serve warm.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Grill Shrimp

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Light a coal or gas grill to medium-high heat.
Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator and rinse them in cool water. Shake the excess water from the shrimp.
3
Thread the shrimp onto skewers. Pierce the skewers through both the tail and the thickest part of the shrimp toward the head.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Metal or wooden skewers are both fine to use. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes before threading the shrimp onto them. This will prevent the skewers from burning.
- Consider threading the skewers with onion slices, green and red pepper slices, and other vegetables with the shrimp.
Lightly cover the shrimp with olive oil on both sides. Season it with salt and pepper to taste.^{[16]XResearch source}
Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side depending on how large the shrimp are. The shrimp are done when they're bright pink and the flesh is opaque.^{[17]XResearch source}
Take the shrimp off the skewers and serve hot.

Sample Side Dishes

Side Dishes for Shrimp

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you open shrimp quickly?
Ed Kuoha
Chef
Ed Kuoha is a Chef and the Owner of Kuoha Culinary based in Aiea, Hawaii. He has more than 20 years of experience in various culinary kitchens and settings such as Morimoto Waikiki, where he received hands-on training from Iron Chef Morimoto. Chef Ed specializes in small catering events and private chef requests. He holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College.
Ed Kuoha
Chef
Expert Answer
The best way to approach this is by turning it into a process. Start by cutting the backs of all the shrimp first, then peel them all. Don't cut and peel one by one, since that will slow you down.
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Question
Should I cook shrimp with the heads on?
Ed Kuoha
Chef
Ed Kuoha is a Chef and the Owner of Kuoha Culinary based in Aiea, Hawaii. He has more than 20 years of experience in various culinary kitchens and settings such as Morimoto Waikiki, where he received hands-on training from Iron Chef Morimoto. Chef Ed specializes in small catering events and private chef requests. He holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College.
Ed Kuoha
Chef
Expert Answer
That depends on your preference. You can leave it on if you want, but you can also cut it off with a pair of scissors!
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Question
Do I need to de-vein the shrimp?
Community Answer
You don't have to (eating veined shrimp is not unhealthy), but most people prefer de-veined shrimp.
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Tips

Electric burners retain a significant amount of residual heat after the burner is turned off. When you use the boiling method, you must move the pot to a cool burner.
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If you must thaw shrimp quickly, submerge the unopened bag in a large bowl of room temperature water just long enough to soften them. Transfer the bag to the refrigerator until thawed.
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Warnings

Consuming raw shellfish can be a health risk. Test the largest shrimp to make sure there is no translucent flesh in the center of the shrimp before serving.
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