Hey there seafood lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years, and lemme tell you – getting those big beautiful colossal shrimp just right can be tricky. But don’t worry, I’m gonna break it down real simple for ya today!
What Are Colossal Shrimp Anyway?
Before we dive into cooking times let’s get something straight – when we talk about colossal shrimp we’re talking about those BIG boys! These are typically
- 13-15 shrimp per pound
- Usually 3-4 inches in length
- The largest size commonly available in stores
Perfect Boiling Time for Colossal Shrimp
Here’s the main thing you’ve been waiting for – colossal shrimp typically need about 3-4 minutes to boil. But hey, there’s more to it than just throwing them in hot water!
Step-by-Step Boiling Process
-
Prep Your Water
- Fill a large pot with water
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt
- Optional: Add lemon juice for extra flavor
- Bring to a rolling boil
-
Cook Those Bad Boys
- Add your shrimp to the boiling water
- Watch for color change to pink
- Cook until flesh is opaque (white)
- For shell-on shrimp: 3-4 minutes
- For peeled shrimp: 2-3 minutes
-
The Ice Bath (Don’t Skip This!)
- Prepare a bowl with ice and water
- Transfer shrimp immediately after cooking
- This stops the cooking process
- Prevents overcooking (nobody wants rubber shrimp!)
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Listen up! Here’s what I’ve learned from messing up countless batches of shrimp (so you don’t have to):
- Don’t Overcrowd: Keep it to about 1 pound of shrimp per 4 cups of water
- Watch Like a Hawk: These big guys can go from perfect to overcooked in seconds
- Shell Game: Leaving shells on = more flavor
- Easy-Peel Trick: Look for “EZ peel” shrimp at the store – they’re pre-split and deveined
- Size Matters: Bigger ain’t always better – colossal shrimp are great for showcasing but might be overkill for some recipes
How to Tell When They’re Done
Here’s the foolproof way to know your shrimp are perfectly cooked:
- Color turns pink with red tails
- Meat becomes pearly white
- Shape forms a loose “C”
- If they’re a tight “O” shape – oops, they’re overcooked!
Serving Suggestions
Now that you’ve got perfectly cooked colossal shrimp, here’s what to do with ’em:
- Classic shrimp cocktail
- Peel-and-eat with butter sauce
- Cold shrimp salad
- Add to pasta dishes
- Top a fancy salad
Storing Your Cooked Shrimp
If ya got leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!):
- Keep refrigerated in airtight container
- Good for 3-4 days
- Don’t freeze cooked shrimp – texture gets weird
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We all mess up sometimes, but here’s what you shouldn’t do:
- Boiling for too long (rubber city!)
- Skipping the ice bath
- Using shrimp straight from freezer
- Forgetting to season the water
- Not deveining (nobody wants that stuff!)
Final Thoughts
Cooking colossal shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does need your attention! The key is watching your timing and not wandering off to check your phone while they’re cooking (been there, done that!).
Remember: these big beautiful shrimp deserve your respect – treat ’em right and they’ll treat your taste buds right back!
Quick Reference Table
| Shrimp Type | Boiling Time | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Shell-on Colossal | 3-4 mins | Rolling boil |
| Peeled Colossal | 2-3 mins | Rolling boil |
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail?
How to thaw frozen shrimp
For the best results when learning how to cook shrimp, I recommend thawing it before cooking. Here are three ways you can do that:
- Option 1: The safest, most effective way to thaw frozen shrimp is to transfer them to the fridge overnight. Then, drain any excess water, patting the shrimp with a clean paper towel when you’re ready to use.
- Option 2: If you’re in a hurry, you can place your frozen shrimp in a plastic bag. Then, submerge the bag in a bowl of cold water. Change out the water several times, swirling the bag around until the shrimp thaw.
- Option 3: Place the frozen shrimp directly in a colander, and run them under cool water.
The best types of shrimp to use
You can learn how to make flavorful shrimp with pretty much any kind of shrimp you have on hand. That said, there are a few types that will yield the most tender, flavorful results.
- With the shell. You can use shrimp without the shell if you’re looking for ease and convenience. However, when possible leave the tails and shells on to infuse even more flavor.
- Different sizes. I like to use large shrimp that come with 20-25 pieces per pound. They’re good for salads and added to dishes. However, if you’re using boiled shrimp for shrimp cocktails or appetizers, go for jumbo shrimp or colossal shrimp, and adjust the boiling time as needed.
- Wild, sustainable is best. I always prefer to use, wild, sustainable shrimp when possible. Typically, you can find wild, sustainable varieties at stores like Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods or a local seafood vendor or fishmonger.
- Deveined. For convenience, I recommend using shrimp that are cleaned and deveined. I like to keep raw Argentinian red shrimp from Trader Joe’s on hand in the freezer, they are peeled and deveined and quick to defrost. If the vein is still intact, be sure to devein your shrimp before cooking.
Note: If using pink shrimp, like I do in the photos, note that they stay pink both raw and cooked. The color will just become more pronounced as they boil. Typical raw shrimp is greyish brown and turns pink when cooked.
How to Make Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time
FAQ
How long does it take to boil colossal shrimp?
Boil shrimp in salted water until just pink outside and opaque in the center, about 2 minutes for most sizes of peeled shrimp, a minute or two longer for shell-on shrimp or for extra-large or jumbo shrimp. Boiling shrimp is about as easy as it gets and takes just a few minutes.Sep 19, 2023
How to know when colossal shrimp is done?
Perfectly cooked shrimp will be opaque with a color ranging from pink or orange, depending on variety. Their tails should curl in slightly to make a C-shape. Overcooked shrimp will be a solid white-pink color, with their tails completely curled into a tight circle.Jul 19, 2023