Here’s a blog article about cooking cocktail shrimp:
Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’m super excited to share with you how to make amazing cocktail shrimp right in your own kitchen. As someone who loves entertaining, I’ve perfected this simple yet impressive appetizer that never fails to wow my guests.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pound colossal EZ peel tail-on raw shrimp
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Cocktail sauce
- Fresh lemon slices
- Large pot of water
- Bowl of ice water
Simple 5-Step Process:
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Get that water boiling! Fill a large pot with water and add the kosher salt.
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Once the water’s bubbling away, drop in your peeled shrimp and give em a quick stir.
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Here’s the crucial part – cook those babies for exactly 4 minutes. Trust me on this timing! You’ll know they’re done when they turn that pretty pink color and look opaque.
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Quick! Transfer them to your ice water bath. This stops the cooking process and keeps them from getting rubbery
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Drain well and pop them in the fridge to chill.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen:
- Don’t overcook! Seriously, stick to the 4-minute rule
- Always use the ice bath – it’s not optional!
- Serve these babies nice and cold
- Don’t forget the classic accompaniments – zesty cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges
Time Breakdown:
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Cooking time: 4 mins
- Total time: Under 20 mins
- Servings: Perfect for 2 people (but I always make extra!)
The best part? This whole process takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. You’ll end up with perfectly cooked, tender shrimp that’s way better than the store-bought stuff.
Why This Recipe Works:
We’re using simple ingredients and a foolproof method here. The salt in the boiling water seasons the shrimp perfectly, while the quick cooking time and ice bath ensure they stay tender and juicy.
Remember, guys, cooking cocktail shrimp isn’t rocket science! With these easy steps, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail at your next get-together.
Would ya look at that – you’ve just learned how to make one of the most popular appetizers ever! Now go forth and impress your friends with your newfound shrimp-cooking skills!
Happy cooking!
#cooking #appetizers #seafood #entertaining #easyrecipes
More ways to serve boiled shrimp
- Any leftover shrimp can be stored in a shallow airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
- Chardonnay has hints of butter and citrus that pair amazingly well with shrimp.
- Sauvignon Blanc has bright citrus and herbal notes that pair perfectly with the lemon that’s squeezed over the shrimp.
- Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc are a nice match with their crisp minerality and citrus notes.
- For something unexpected, and budget friendly, try a Vinho Verde.
How do you boil shrimp?
Bring a large pot of water up to a boil on the stove. Once it starts to boil, add the lemon halves and salt, then the shrimp.
While you wait, fill a bowl with cold water and ice.
Cook the shrimp until they turn from gray to pink. When they’re done, immediately transfer them to the ice bath to cool.
Remove the shrimp from the ice bath when completely cool and pat them dry. Serve them with cocktail sauce for dipping or anywhere else you love to eat shrimp!
This depends on the size of the shrimp you use, but they likely won’t need to be boiled for longer than 8 minutes. The large shrimp I used here only took 2 to 3 minutes to cook.
You’ll know the shrimp are cooked and ready to be transferred to the ice bath when they turn from gray and translucent to a light pink color. Here’s my full post on how to tell when shrimp are done.
Yes, this recipe works just as well with frozen shrimp. Make sure to thaw them first in the fridge overnight or by placing the bag of frozen shrimp in a bowl filled with cold water.
If you’re wondering what to do with your boiled shrimp, shrimp cocktail is the best way to go! Pair the large boiled shrimp with either cocktail sauce or any of these flavorful dipping sauces:
Tip: Make your shrimp a meal by serving them with any of these 30+ Sides for Boiled Shrimp.
How to Boil Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail
FAQ
Can you cook already cooked cocktail shrimp?
As little as possible ! To me, cooked shrimp should only be thawed, and used for shrimp cocktails. If you do have to use them for meal, heat them for a very short time. They are “cooked”, so to further cook them would just toughen them to a tasteless, chewy, mass.
Can you heat up cold cocktail shrimp?
The important thing is that you heat them hot and quick. You really don’t want to cook the insides any further, but I imagine that the outsides could use a little sear action. So nice and hot for several seconds on each side with a bit of oil oughta do the trick.
Can you saute shrimp cocktail?
Is there a difference between cooked shrimp and cocktail shrimp?
Is shrimp cocktail raw or cooked? A shrimp cocktail is made with cooked shrimp. The shrimp are typically poached to a perfect tenderness and chilled before serving with a flavorful cocktail sauce. It’s important to fully cook the shrimp for both safety and the best texture.