Hey there, fellow seafood lovers! As someone who’s cooked literally hundreds of pounds of shrimp in my professional kitchen, I’m here to share the ultimate guide on how much Old Bay seasoning to use per pound of shrimp. Let’s dive right in with the straightforward answer before exploring all the juicy details!
Quick Answer
The magic ratio is 1-2 tablespoons of Old Bay seasoning per pound of shrimp But hold up – there’s more to the story than just numbers!
Why Trust My Recommendations?
I’ve been experimenting with Old Bay seasoning for years in my kitchen, and I’ve learned through trial and error what works best. Sometimes I’ve over-seasoned (yikes!) and sometimes under-seasoned, but now I’ve got it down to a science.
Detailed Breakdown: Finding Your Perfect Ratio
Base Recommendations:
- Light seasoning: 1 tablespoon per pound
- Medium seasoning: 1.5 tablespoons per pound
- Bold seasoning: 2 tablespoons per pound
Factors That’ll Change Your Seasoning Game
- Cooking Method Matters
- Grilling: Use 1.5-2 tablespoons (seasoning can fall off)
- Boiling: 1-1.5 tablespoons (flavors get diluted)
- Sautéing: 1 tablespoon (seasoning sticks better)
- Steaming: 1-1.5 tablespoons
- Shrimp Size Makes a Difference
- Small shrimp: Slightly more seasoning (more surface area)
- Jumbo shrimp: Standard amount
- Colossal shrimp: Might need a bit extra to penetrate the meat
Pro Tips for Perfect Old Bay Shrimp
Do’s:
- Pat shrimp dry before seasoning
- Let seasoned shrimp rest 15-30 mins before cooking
- Mix Old Bay with olive oil for better adhesion
- Taste as you go (yeah, I know it’s raw, but you can smell it!)
Don’ts:
- Don’t dump all the seasoning at once
- Don’t forget to account for other seasonings
- Don’t season frozen shrimp (thaw first, trust me!)
My Favorite Old Bay Shrimp Recipes
Classic Old Bay Shrimp Boil
Ingredients:- 1 pound shrimp- 1.5 tablespoons Old Bay- 2 lemons- 4 cups water- Optional: potatoes, corn, sausageInstructions:1. Bring water to boil2. Add Old Bay and lemons3. Add shrimp4. Cook 3-5 mins until pink
Quick Sautéed Old Bay Shrimp
Ingredients:- 1 pound shrimp- 1 tablespoon Old Bay- 2 tablespoons butter- 2 cloves garlicInstructions:1. Season shrimp with Old Bay2. Heat butter in pan3. Sauté garlic4. Cook shrimp 2-3 mins per side
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Too Spicy?
- Cut Old Bay with paprika
- Add butter or cream to mellow heat
- Serve with cooling sides
Problem: Not Enough Flavor?
- Add Old Bay to your dipping sauce
- Sprinkle extra after cooking
- Make an Old Bay butter sauce
Storage Tips
If you’ve seasoned too many shrimp (happens to the best of us!), here’s what to do
- Refrigerate: Up to 3 days
- Freeze: Up to 3 months
- Always store in airtight container
Final Thoughts
Look, cooking with Old Bay ain’t rocket science, but it does take some practice to get it just right. Start with 1 tablespoon per pound if you’re unsure, and work your way up. Remember, you can always add more but you can’t take it away!
Pro tip: Keep a shaker of Old Bay right by your cooktop – you’ll be reaching for it more often than you think!
Got questions about seasoning your shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below. I’m always happy to help fellow seafood enthusiasts get their seasoning game on point!
Happy cooking, y’all! ✨
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article in more detail?
What You’ll Need to Make Steamed Shrimp
As for tools, youll need a pot for steaming and a steamer basket. Baskets are often stainless steel and fit inside a pot, with some being collapsible. Some pots will also come with a designated steaming insert. Pictured here is a smaller set-in pot with holes in the bottom that goes over top of another one.
- Shrimp: Use one pound of shell-on, tail-on raw shrimp. Extra-large or jumbo (anywhere between 21-30 count per pound) or large (31-35) work best. In addition to the attributes above, finding a variety thats deveined is a bonus. (Have smaller shrimp? Theyre perfect for shrimp corn chowder).
- Beer: Look for a wheat beer, which is often golden, a bit hazy, and features a lower alcohol percentage. Theyre light and bright and lean a little citrusy in flavor. It might not say its a wheat beer on the packaging, but some common descriptors used are summer ale, Belgian wheat, wheat ale, etc.
- Old Bay: A classic.
- Vinegar: Plain distilled white vinegar is what I use, but apple cider vinegar is another option.
Thaw shrimp if you need before beginning. Its best to transfer them to the refrigerator overnight, but sealing the shrimp in a zip-top bag and submerging it in a bowl of cool water just prior to cooking is okay, too, per the FDA.
- Mix steaming liquid. Stir together beer, vinegar, and Old Bay in the pot youll be steaming the shrimp in. Use a large enough pot so that when the basket is inserted, the liquid level wont come up and over into the basket.
- Coat shrimp in Old Bay. Toss them in a large bowl or in the steaming basket to cut down on dishes.
- Steam. Tightly cover the pot and set it on the stove top to boil. Once boiling, add the basket and arrange the shrimp evenly around it. Put the lid back on and steam for 4-6 minutes, or until cooked (notes on this below).
Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Its convenient. Having a bag of frozen shrimp around means you can easily have all of these ingredients on hand for when the craving strikes.
- Its quick. Thawed shrimp steam for 4-6 minutes.
- It has great flavor. This recipe leans on Old Bay for flavor with an extra-fragrant steaming liquid.
- Its easy to serve. Steamed shrimp are versatile! Peel and dip in cocktail sauce, melted butter, or vinegar, and serve alongside a hearty side salad for a light meal.
Plump, Juicy Old Bay Shrimp
FAQ
How much to use OLD BAY Seasoning?
Add 2 tsp. OLD BAY Seasoning to 1 lb. of ground beef for savory burgers. Sprinkle OLD BAY Seasoning generously on French fries, corn-on-the-cob, steamed vegetables and popcorn.
How much seasoning for a pound of shrimp?
For a pound of shrimp, you’ll generally want to use about 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning. This amount is suitable for well-seasoned shrimp, especially if they are being served over rice, in a salad, or in another dish where the seasoning will be a prominent flavor, according to Cook the Story.
How much Old Bay per pound?
You can also add 2 teaspoons of OLD BAY Seasoning to 1 pound of ground beef to make the perfect burgers. OLD BAY crab seasoning is ready to use on all your favorite dishes — no preparation necessary.
How many bay shrimp per pound?
In a one-pound bag, you get anywhere from 21 to 30 jumbo shrimp. You get from 5-7 shrimp per 3oz serving and each individual shrimp weighs about half an ounce.
How much Old Bay to boil shrimp?
Quantity of seafood – Use more OLD BAY for larger shrimp boils. Other ingredients – Potatoes, sausage, and corn also absorb some flavor. But there are some general guidelines you can follow: Use 1-3 tablespoons of OLD BAY per quart of water. The boiling liquid flavors everything so make it boldly seasoned. For a 12-quart pot, use:
How much Old Bay Seasoning should I use?
The amount of Old Bay seasoning you use will depend on your personal preference and the quantity of shrimp you are boiling. As a general guideline, you can start with around 1-2 tablespoons of Old Bay per pound of shrimp. Adjust the amount to your taste by adding more or less seasoning during the boiling process.
How much old bay should I use?
The amount of OLD BAY you use depends on a few factors: Personal taste – Some like it spicier than others. Adjust to your desired spice level. Quantity of seafood – Use more OLD BAY for larger shrimp boils. Other ingredients – Potatoes, sausage, and corn also absorb some flavor. But there are some general guidelines you can follow:
Is old Bay a good seasoning for a shrimp boil?
Over 75 years later, OLD BAY is still the go-to seasoning for shrimp and crab boils from Maryland to Louisiana. Its flavor is intrinsically linked with the casual fun and laidback vibe that make shrimp boils so enjoyable. How Much OLD BAY Goes in a Shrimp Boil? The amount of OLD BAY you use depends on a few factors:
How do you cook shrimp using Old Bay Seasoning?
To cook shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning, bring a gallon of water to boil in the pot and stir in 1/2 cup Old Bay Seasoning. Return to a boil. Add the shrimp to the pot all at once. Boil for 4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn bright pink. Drain the shrimp and serve with cocktail sauce and lots of napkins. Remember to wash and peel the shrimp, but leave the tails on before cooking.
How do you cook a pound of shrimp?
Toss 1 pound of shrimp that has shells off but tails still on in 2 teaspoons of homemade Old Bay Seasoning. Bring 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar to a boil. Place the shrimp in a steaming basket over the boiling liquid (make sure it doesn’t touch the liquid). Cover and cook until the shrimp are tender, about 5 minutes.