Hey there fellow Instant Pot enthusiasts! I’ve been experimenting with cooking shrimp in my trusty Instant Pot for months now, and I gotta tell ya – once you get the timing right, you’ll never want to cook shrimp any other way! Let me share everything I’ve learned about getting perfectly steamed shrimp in your Instant Pot.
The Quick Answer
For those who just want the basic timing, here it is
- Frozen raw jumbo shrimp: 1 minute on Steam setting
- Fresh/thawed raw shrimp: 0-1 minute on Steam or High Pressure
- Small/medium shrimp: Reduce time to 0 minutes
- Quick release pressure immediately when done
What You’ll Need
- Instant Pot
- Steamer basket (metal or silicone)
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 pounds shrimp (fresh or frozen)
- Glass lid (optional but recommended)
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Instant Pot
- Pour 1 cup water into your Instant Pot
- Place steamer basket inside
- Make sure sealing ring is properly installed
- If using glass lid, have it ready
2. Prepare Your Shrimp
- Clean and devein shrimp if needed
- No need to thaw if using frozen
- They don’t need to be in a single layer
- Shell on or off – your choice!
3. Cooking Process
- Place shrimp in steamer basket
- Close lid (regular IP lid or glass lid)
- Set valve to “Sealing” if using pressure lid
- Press “Steam” button (or Manual/Pressure Cook)
- Set time according to your shrimp size:
- Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 1 minute
- Medium/Large: 0 minutes
- Small: 0 minutes
4. The Release
- Do a quick release immediately when timer beeps
- BE CAREFUL – steam will be super hot!
- Remove shrimp promptly to avoid overcooking
Pro Tips I’ve Learned the Hard Way
-
Don’t Walk Away!The actual cook time might be just 0-1 minute, but remember the Instant Pot needs about 10-12 minutes to come to pressure. The shrimp are actually cooking during this time too!
-
Size MattersBigger ain’t always better! Medium shrimp often cook more evenly than jumbo ones Here’s what those numbers on the package mean
- 16-20 count = Jumbo
- 21-25 count = Large
- 26-30 count = Medium-Large
- Fresh vs. Frozen
Y’all might not believe this, but frozen shrimp often work BETTER in the Instant Pot! They’re less likely to overcook while the pot comes to pressure.
Jazzing Up Your Shrimp
Wanna make things more interesting? Try these additions:
- Old Bay seasoning (my personal fave!)
- Lemon or lime slices in the water
- Beer instead of water
- Garlic powder
- Cajun seasoning
Common Problems & Solutions
Help! My Shrimp Are Still Raw!
- Did you use really big shrimp? Add another minute
- Was your Instant Pot really full? Might need extra time
- Check that sealing ring was properly installed
They’re Too Rubbery!
- Probably overcooked – reduce time next batch
- Remember they keep cooking until you release pressure
- Remove from pot immediately after quick release
Serving Suggestions
Your perfectly cooked shrimp can be used in:
- Classic shrimp cocktail
- Pasta dishes
- Cold shrimp salad
- Rice bowls
- Tacos
- Or just eat ’em plain with some melted butter!
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate up to 3-4 days
- Freeze cooked shrimp up to 3-6 months
- Store in airtight container
- Don’t leave at room temp more than 2 hours
Final Thoughts
I used to be scared of overcooking shrimp, but my Instant Pot has made me so confident! The key really is in the timing – and now you know all my secrets! Remember, it might take a couple tries to get it perfect for your specific pot and preferences, but once you nail it, you’ll be steaming shrimp like a pro!
Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments! I’d love to hear how your shrimp adventures turn out. Happy cooking, y’all!
#InstantPot #ShrimpRecipes #EasyDinner #CookingTips #InstantPotRecipes
Main Menu (6/3 LAUNCH)
By Instant Pot Culinary Team
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Cooking Technique: Sear/Saute, Steam
Yield: 4 Servings
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ small red onion
- 1 bottle (12 ounces or 350 ml)
- 1 lemon
- 1 jalapeno
- 1½ tbsp (22 g) Old Bay seasoning
- 1 pound (454 g) large easy
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Baguette or country bread
- Press Sear/Sauté and adjust the timer. Let heat for 3 minutes, then add the olive oil.
- Add the garlic and onion to the cooking pot, and cook and stir for 4 minutes.
- Add the beer, lemon slices, jalapeño, and Old Bay to the cooking pot, and bring to a simmer. Press Cancel.
- Nestle the shrimp in the beer mixture in a single layer. Cover with the lid, press Steam, and steam until the shrimp are opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes. Press Cancel.
- Toss the shrimp with the parsley and transfer to a serving platter.
- Serve with the baguette, for dipping into the broth.
Instant Pot® Culinary Team
When life’s moving fast and dinner needs to happen faster, the Instant Pot Culinary Team is here to make it deliciously doable. We cook up recipes for every Instant Pot appliance you’ve got your hands on—so whether you’re tackling Tuesday night or going all-out for the weekend, you’ll have the flavor without the fuss. No overthinking, no babysitting, just good food that works with your schedule (not against it).
Steaming Shrimp in the Instant Pot
FAQ
How long does it take to steam in the Instant Pot?
After adding the water to the inner pot, turn on the SAUTE MODE-NORMAL and set the timer to 5 MINUTES.Nov 21, 2022
How many minutes to steam shrimp?
Steam until the shrimp they curl and turn bright pink. Steam for 4 to 6 minutes for 1 to 2 pounds of shrimp. Immediately remove the steamer from the pot. The shrimp should have changed color and be firm to the touch but still give a little.
How long to steam fish in an Instant Pot?
COOK at low pressure for 7 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets and use a quick release.