Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years, and lemme tell you – baking shrimp in the oven is literally the easiest way to get perfect results every single time. Today, I’m gonna share my tried-and-true method for getting succulent, perfectly cooked shrimp from your oven.
The Quick Answer You’re Looking For
For most people in a hurry, here’s the basic timing at 400°F:
- Small shrimp (36-45 per pound): 8-9 mins
- Medium shrimp (31-35 per pound): 9-10 mins
- Large shrimp (26-30 per pound): 10-12 mins
- Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound): 12-14 mins
But wait! Don’t run off to the kitchen just yet – there’s more you should know to make your shrimp absolutely perfect.
Picking the Right Shrimp
Before we jump into cooking, let’s talk about choosing your shrimp:
- Size Matters: I always go for jumbo or extra-large shrimp (16-20 per pound). They’re easier to handle and harder to overcook.
- Fresh vs. Frozen: Here’s a secret – frozen shrimp are often fresher than “fresh” ones at the seafood counter! Wild-caught frozen shrimp are my go-to.
- Peeled or Unpeeled: Both work great! Peeled ones cook faster, but shell-on ones have more flavor.
My Super Simple Recipe
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pound shrimp (thawed if frozen)
- Good quality olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Step-by-Step Instructions:
-
Prep Your Oven
- Preheat to 400°F (trust me on this temperature!)
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper
-
Prep Your Shrimp
- Pat those babies dry with paper towels
- Toss with olive oil (just enough to coat)
- Season with salt & pepper
-
Arrange & Bake
- Spread shrimp in a SINGLE layer (super important!)
- Pop ’em in the oven
- Set your timer based on size (see times above)
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
-
Don’t Overcrowd!
Seriously, give those shrimp some personal space. Overcrowding = steaming instead of roasting. -
The Color Test
Shrimp are done when they:- Turn pink with red tails
- Form a “C” shape
- Are opaque throughout
-
Watch Like a Hawk
I can’t stress this enough – shrimp can go from perfect to rubbery in literally one minute!
Common Mistakes (That I’ve Totally Made Before)
- ❌ Not preheating the oven
- ❌ Cooking at too low a temperature
- ❌ Forgetting to pat the shrimp dry
- ❌ Walking away during cooking (don’t do it!)
Bonus Tips for Frozen Shrimp
If you’re cooking from frozen (hey, we’ve all been there!), just add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. But honestly? I’d recommend thawing them first for the best results
My Favorite Seasoning Variations
Sometimes I like to switch things up with these combos:
- Garlic + lemon zest
- Cajun seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Italian herbs + garlic
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? (Although in my house, that rarely happens!) Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’re amazing in cold shrimp salads!
Wrapping It Up
Listen, cooking shrimp in the oven isn’t rocket science, but getting it perfect does take a little know-how. Follow these guidelines, and I promise you’ll have perfectly cooked shrimp every single time.
Remember – the key is high heat, dry shrimp, and keeping a close eye on the cooking time. Once you’ve got these basics down, you can get creative with seasonings and serving ideas.
Happy cooking, friends! Drop me a comment below if you’ve got any questions – I’m always here to help fellow shrimp lovers!
#cooking #seafood #easyrecipes #ovenroasted #shrimp
HOW TO THAW SHRIMP-
Shrimp is best thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water. Do not thaw shrimp on the countertop where bacteria can grow.
Also, don’t thaw shrimp in warm or hot water as the warm water will change the texture of the shrimp. Note: Once thawed, DO NOT refreeze the shrimp.
HOW TO COOK SHRIMP IN OVEN-
Here is our guide to classic baked shrimp. You can add your favorite seasoning to the shrimp or keep it simple as we did. This is a great way to make shrimp to serve with cocktail sauce.
- Prep baking sheet– Preheat the oven and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Thaw shrimp– Defrost shrimp and completely pat dry. Devein the shrimp and remove the tail, optional.
- Season shrimp– In a small bowl toss shrimp in the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the shrimp evenly, in a single layer in the baking pan.
- Bake– Bake for 8-10 minutes, until opaque.
- Top with fresh parsley and sprinkle with black pepper. If you want, add some lemon juice over the shrimp before serving.
Oven Roasted Shrimp ~ Kitchen Basics ~ Noreen’s Kitchen
FAQ
How long do shrimp need to be in the oven?
Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp are bright pink, 20 to 25 minutes; don’t overcook, the shrimp will get hard.Jan 4, 2020
How long do shrimp take to cook at 400 degrees?
How long to bake shrimp at 400? Making shrimp in the oven is easy! Place thawed shrimp in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake 8-10 minutes.
How long to grill shrimp at 350 degrees?
Preheat your grill to 350-450°F and set it up for direct cooking. Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through the process. The outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color when it is cooked while the meat inside should be white and opaque.
How long do you cook raw shrimp for?
Here’s associate food editor Kendra Vaculin’s rule of thumb: Cook medium shrimp for approximately 3 minutes, large shrimp for 4–5 minutes, and jumbo shrimp for 6–7 minutes. As for small shrimp, blink and you could miss it, so don’t walk away. You can buy shrimp either in the shell or peeled.