The Ultimate Guide: How to Tell When Your Shrimp is Perfectly Cooked by Color

Ways to Know the Shrimp Are Done

Indicator	Description When Shrimp Are Done	Why It Matters
Internal Temperature	120°F (49°C) – 130°F (54°C) depending on size and method	This range ensures the shrimp are fully cooked but still juicy—not rubbery.
Color	Flesh turns from translucent gray to opaque white with bright pink or red accents on the exterior	The color change is a visual cue of protein denaturation—your shrimp are cooked.
Shape	Curves into a loose “C” shape	A “C” means cooked; if it tightens into an “O,” it’s likely overcooked.
Experience (Touch & Texture)	Firm but springy to the touch; bounces back slightly when pressed	Mushy means undercooked; rubbery or tight means overcooked. Practice builds skill.

Shrimp are perfectly cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 120°F to 130°F (49°C to 54°C), depending on your preferred texture and cooking method:

• 120°F (49°C): Tender, juicy, and slightly soft (great for poaching or gentle sautéing).
• 125°F (52°C): Firm but still moist—ideal for grilling, stir-frying, or broiling.
• 130°F (54°C): Fully cooked through, slightly firmer—better for dishes where carryover heat continues cooking.

For the most accurate results, use a digital instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the shrimp. But since shrimp cook so quickly and are often small, most people rely on visual and tactile cues (color and shape) rather than temp readings.

Raw shrimp start out with gray shells and translucent flesh, which, according to Webster’s Dictionary, means “permitting the passage of light: a) clear, transparent; b) transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly.”

When properly cooked, the exterior should be pink with red tails, and the flesh should be slightly opaque and a little “white” in color. Here’s where it gets confusing because a “little white” may vary from cook to cook. If it is bright white in color, there’s a good chance the shrimp are overcooked.

I have been cooking shrimp this way for as long as I can remember and still find it difficult to nail it just right, especially when you consider that the shrimp will continue to cook after being removed from the heat unless you cool them off in an ice bath. While researching for this article, I learned another way to tell when the shrimp are done that looks promising.

Raw shrimp (previously frozen) start out with just a little curl to their shape. I wouldn’t call them straight, but you can straighten them out with just a little pressure. When you cook shrimp, they naturally start to curl.

I recently learned that they are perfectly cooked when they form a C-shape. However, if you let them continue to cook, they will twist into an O-shape, signifying they are overcooked.

An easy way to remember this is C-shaped stands for “cooked” and O-shaped stands for “overcooked”.

This is a promising technique for telling when shrimp are cooked to perfection, but what if you have them on skewers for shrimp kabobs? The shrimp won’t curl because of the skewer, so I’d suggest you go back to the Color technique and, over time, resort to my last technique….

The more you cook shrimp or any ingredient for that matter, the more you’ll be able to tell when something is done by experience. Not only using all your senses, including sight, touch, smell, or even hearing but a feeling of “just knowing” when something is done.

This technique comes with time and lots of experience. The more you cook shrimp using the above-mentioned techniques, the sooner you’ll be able to “just know” when it feels done and ready to plate. I pay attention to this feeling every time I cook; sometimes I get it right, and sometimes wrong, knowing I’ll be better next time.

Shells On or Off – Cooking time is longer with shells on, so you must adjust cooking time accordingly. Leaving the shells on helps retain flavor and moisture, but the shell on or off depends on the dish.

If I add shrimp to a pasta or rice dish, I’ll usually remove the peels, but I like to leave the shells on if I’m serving seasoned boiled or steamed shrimp.

Size – The size of the shrimp will affect how long they take to cook, but if you use the techniques above, you should be able to get great results. Remember, the smaller shrimp will cook much faster, so you need to keep an eye on them.

Heat – I find shrimp does better with higher-heat cooking methods like grilling or pan frying. When I slow-cook shrimp in a braise or crock pot recipe, it’s almost impossible to keep the shrimp from overcooking unless you add them right at the end. Same with a shrimp risotto. The shrimp is the last ingredient to be added so it can cook from the heat of the risotto, and it doesn’t take long.

How Do I Know When Shrimp Are Perfectly Cooked & Ready to Eat?

Shrimp cook fast—like, really fast—so knowing exactly when they’re done can make the difference between juicy, tender bites and rubbery disappointment. Whether you’re sautéing, grilling, boiling, or broiling them, it’s all about watching for a few key signs that let you know they’re perfectly cooked.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the simple ways to tell when shrimp are done, no matter how you’re preparing them. You don’t need a thermometer or any fancy tools—just your eyes, a little timing, and maybe a poke with a fork.

I’ll also share some common mistakes people make when cooking shrimp (like trusting the clock too much) and how to avoid them. Undercooked shrimp are translucent and soft, while overcooked ones curl into tight little O’s and lose their flavor and moisture.

But when you hit that sweet spot? They’re plump, pink, and just firm enough to bite through. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself while standing over a hot pan of shrimp, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

Let’s break it down so you can cook shrimp with confidence every time, whether it’s for tacos, pasta, stir-fry, or a simple cocktail platter.

Why Do Shrimp Change Color When They’re Cooked?

FAQ

How can you tell if shrimp is cooked?

What color should shrimp be when cooked?

How can you tell if shrimp has gone bad?

Are shrimp supposed to be pink or grey?

Raw shrimp are bluish grey, translucent and feel limp to the touch.

What does fresh shrimp look like when cooked?

Fresh shrimp will typically have a slightly translucent pink or gray appearance, with no signs of dullness or discoloration. Several factors can influence the color of shrimp as they are cooked. Recognizing these can help you achieve the ideal color and flavor profile for your meals. Different species of shrimp exhibit varying colors when cooked.

What color should shrimp be when cooking?

As shrimp cooks, here’s what you should look for: White Shrimp: Should turn from gray to a creamy white color. Pink Shrimp: Transforms from translucent and gray to a vivid pink shade. Black Tiger Shrimp: Changes to an opaque white with a hint of pink or orange. Rock Shrimp: Shifts from grayish to a bright orange.

What does undercooked shrimp look like?

Undercooked shrimp will appear gray and translucent. What Does Fully Cooked Shrimp Look Like? When shrimp is fully cooked, it looks white and opaque with touches of red, orange, and pink on the exterior and on the tail.

Does shrimp change color when cooked?

While most varieties of shrimp exhibit a similar transformation from gray or translucent to pink or orange when cooked, the degree of color change can vary slightly among species. The predominant factor influencing this difference is the specific types and concentrations of carotenoids present in each species.

What color is raw shrimp?

Raw shrimp typically have a grayish hue. As shrimp cooks, here’s what you should look for: White Shrimp: Should turn from gray to a creamy white color. Pink Shrimp: Transforms from translucent and gray to a vivid pink shade. Black Tiger Shrimp: Changes to an opaque white with a hint of pink or orange.

Does shrimp turn pink if cooked?

Yes, the color change from greyish to pink and opaque is a good indicator that the shrimp is fully cooked. 8. Why is it important to avoid overcooking shrimp?