Hey there! I’m Chris from KitchenPearls and today I’m gonna share my favorite hack for cooking shrimp that’ll save you tons of time without sacrificing flavor. Trust me, once you learn how to microwave shrimp properly you’ll never look back!
Why Choose Microwave Cooking for Shrimp?
Before we dive in, let me tell ya why microwaving shrimp is actually awesome:
- Super quick (2-4 minutes!)
- No extra pots and pans to wash
- Keeps shrimp juicy and tender
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Works with fresh or frozen shrimp
What You’ll Need
Let’s gather our stuff
Essential Items:
- Raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Microwave-safe dish with lid
- Seasonings of your choice
- Paper towels
- Fork for testing
Step-by-Step Guide to Microwaving Shrimp
1. Prep Your Shrimp
First things first
- Rinse shrimp under cold water
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Season as desired (I love using lemon juice, salt, and pepper)
2. Arrange in Dish
Here’s a crucial tip:
- Place shrimp in a SINGLE layer
- Don’t stack them (trust me, they won’t cook evenly)
- Leave a little space between each shrimp
3. Cover and Cook
Time to cook:
Cooking Time Guide:8 oz (225g) = 1-2 minutes16 oz (450g) = 2-3 minutes24 oz (680g) = 3-4 minutesPro tip: Leave a small vent for steam to escape!
4. Check for Doneness
Your shrimp are ready when:
- Color changes from gray to pink
- Meat becomes opaque
- Shrimp curl into a loose “C” shape
My Favorite Microwave Shrimp Recipes
Quick Garlic Lemon Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 lb medium shrimp
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 lemon (juice)
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in dish
- Microwave 2-3 minutes
- Let rest 1 minute
- Done!
Tips & Tricks I’ve Learned
After messing up plenty of shrimp (we’ve all been there!), here’s what works:
- Don’t overcrowd the dish
- Cook in short bursts
- Check frequently
- Let rest before serving
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from my fails:
- Cooking too many at once
- Forgetting to vent the lid
- Walking away during cooking
- Skipping the rest period
Reheating Leftover Shrimp
Got leftovers? No problem!
- Add a splash of water
- Cover loosely
- Microwave 30 seconds
- Check and repeat if needed
Troubleshooting Guide
Having issues? Here’s help:
Rubbery Shrimp?
- Probably overcooked
- Try shorter cooking time
- Check earlier next time
Uneven Cooking?
- Spread shrimp out more
- Use single layer only
- Rotate dish during cooking
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, microwaving shrimp is a total game-changer for busy folks who love seafood. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping up restaurant-quality shrimp in minutes!
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if your first try isn’t perfect – we’ve all been there! Just keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be a microwave shrimp pro in no time.
Got questions? Feel free to drop them in the comments below. I’d love to hear how your microwave shrimp adventures turn out!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail?
How to Cook Shrimp in Microwave
Now let me break this process down for you real quick so you can have a meal ready in no time! With my short and simple method you can have a healthy protein ready in just about 5 minutes! Here’s my easy and quick method for cooking shrimp in the microwave:
- First, measure out the shrimp and seasonings with themeasuring spoons.
- Then, transfer the shrimp to a large glass mixing bowl.
- Next, add in the olive oil, salt, and pepper to the shrimp and toss to mix.
- Lightly cover the bowl with a paper towel and transfer the bowl to the microwave.
- Cook the shrimp in the microwave for 4-5 minutes at 70% power.
- Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave and garnish the shrimp with lemon juice and chopped parsley.
- Toss the shrimp to mix in the parsley well.
- Finally, serve and enjoy!
To store cooked shrimp: transfer the shrimp to a shallow airtight container, or wrap them tightly with kitchen foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always label the date on the outside of the container to keep up with freshness.
Loved this simple and scrumptious seafood recipe and dying to try more? I’ve got you covered with more spectacular seafood recipes and a few other quick proteins to help you feed your family in a time crunch!
Scrumptious Shrimp and Seafood Recipes:
How to Cook Shrimp in Microwave
FAQ
How to cook raw shrimp in a microwave?
- Place butter in microwave safe bowl. Place bowl in microwave and melt butter (15 to 30 seconds on high). …
- Coat microwave safe pan with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange shrimp in a layer in the pan. …
- Cook in microwave on high power for 6 minutes.
Is it safe to microwave frozen shrimp?
When you are ready to microwave frozen shrimp, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. You can also cook directly from frozen using an Anyday dish, adding time in 1-minute increments.
How long do you warm up shrimp in the microwave?
- Cover the bowl with a lid and place it in the microwave.
- A plastic wrap can be used to cover the bowl if you don’t have a lid.
- Cook the cold shrimp for 1-2 minutes.
- The shrimp should be hot through the middle.
- The time may vary depending on the amount of shrimp that you are reheating.