Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve spent countless hours in my kitchen testing different ways to cook shrimp (and eating way too many of them in the process ). Today, I’m super excited to share everything I’ve learned about cooking these delicious little crustaceans perfectly every time.
Why This Guide Will Change Your Shrimp Game
Look, we’ve all been there – rubbery, overcooked shrimp that feels like chewing on a rubber band. Trust me, I’ve made ALL the mistakes so you don’t have to! After testing multiple cooking methods and going through pounds of shrimp (my family thinks I’m obsessed), I’ve nailed down the absolute best ways to cook them.
Quick Tips Before We Dive In
Before we get to the cooking methods, here are some crucial things I’ve learned:
- Always buy the freshest shrimp possible
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely in the fridge overnight
- Pat them dry before cooking – this is super important!
- Don’t overcook them – they should form a “C” shape when done (if they’re in an “O” shape, they’re overcooked)
- Season well, but don’t go crazy – shrimp have a naturally sweet flavor we want to preserve
8 Tested & Proven Methods to Cook Perfect Shrimp
1. Roasting Method (My Personal Favorite!)
Time 7-9 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon zest
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450°F
- Toss shrimp with oil and seasonings
- Arrange in single layer on baking sheet
- Roast for 7-9 minutes until pink
This method gives you the sweetest, most tender shrimp with minimal effort. I love how the garlic gets all caramelized and sticky!
2. Pan-Searing Method
Time: 4-5 minutes
This is my go-to when I’m in a hurry:
- Heat butter in a large pan over medium-high heat
- Add shrimp in a single layer
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Done when pink and curled into a “C”
3. Boiling Method
Time: 3-4 minutes
Perfect for shrimp cocktail
- Bring water to boil with salt
- Add shrimp
- Cook until they float and turn pink
- Immediately transfer to ice bath
4. Grilling Method
Time: 5-6 minutes
Great for summer BBQs
- Brush with oil and seasonings
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
- Use skewers to prevent falling through grates
5. Steaming Method
Time: 5-7 minutes
Super healthy option:
- Set up steamer basket
- Bring water to boil
- Steam until pink
- Season after cooking
6. Braising Method
Time: 8-10 minutes
Perfect for saucy dishes:
- Sauté aromatics
- Add liquid (wine, stock, or tomato sauce)
- Add shrimp and simmer until done
7. Frying Method
Time: 2-3 minutes
For when you’re feeling indulgent:
- Dredge in seasoned flour
- Fry in 350°F oil
- Cook until golden brown
8. Broiling Method
Time: 4-5 minutes
Quick and easy:
- Place on broiler pan
- Season well
- Broil 2 minutes per side
Common Mistakes to Avoid (I’ve Made Them All! )
- Overcooking (biggest mistake ever!)
- Not patting shrimp dry before cooking
- Cooking cold shrimp straight from fridge
- Overcrowding the pan
- Under-seasoning
Best Seasonings for Shrimp
I love experimenting with these combinations:
- Classic: Garlic, lemon, butter
- Spicy: Cayenne, paprika, garlic
- Asian-inspired: Ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil
- Mediterranean: Olive oil, oregano, lemon
How to Tell When Shrimp is Done
Here’s my foolproof method:
- Look for pink color with red tails
- Meat should be pearly and opaque
- Shape should be “C” (not “O”)
- Should feel slightly firm but still tender
Storage Tips
- Fresh cooked shrimp: 3-4 days in fridge
- Raw shrimp: 1-2 days in fridge
- Frozen shrimp: up to 6 months
Final Thoughts
After all my testing (and tasting!), I gotta say that roasting is my favorite method for everyday cooking. It’s practically foolproof and gives amazing results every time. But honestly, each method has its place depending on what you’re making.
Remember, the key to great shrimp is not overcooking them – they cook super fast! Keep an eye on them and you’ll be serving up perfectly cooked shrimp in no time.
What’s your favorite way to cook shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your tips and tricks too!
Happy cooking!
P.S. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your seafood-loving friends!
How do I peel my shrimp?
Pre-peeled shrimp is widely available, but if you’d prefer to peel the shrimp yourself, it’s very simple. Find the inside curve of the shell, where the legs are, and pull the shell open with your fingers. Peel back the shell, starting at the head end, and then gently pull off the tail. If you see dark lines on either side of your shrimp and are wondering what they are and what you should do with them, take a look at our blog about this.
Pro-tip: save the shells to make a delicious stock to add to seafood risotto or fish stew. If you don’t have enough shells to make your stock, freeze what you have in a sealed bag or container until you’re ready.
To make the stock, simply fry the shells in oil for a couple of minutes to bring out the flavour, cover with water, simmer for five to seven minutes, then remove the shells and add a pinch of salt. Yum! Freeze the stock in portions for ultimate forward-planning gold stars!
What’s the best way to cook shrimp?
There are so many ways to cook shrimp! Bear in mind that shrimp are mild in flavour so they absorb the taste of whatever you combine them with – so think about using flavourful sauces and marinades to help them shine!
Many recipes call for the shrimp to be added during the cooking process with other ingredients, but if you want to cook your shrimp separately and make them the heroes of your meal, here are a few of our favourite ways to cook them…
How to cook shrimp in a pan: this is a great way to make shrimp the stars of your meal! Simply heat olive oil or butter in a frying pan, throw in your peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for two to three minutes on high heat, then flip them over and cook for another two to three minutes. Boost the flavour by first rubbing them in spices like paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes or fish spice, plus a little sea salt. Serve them with couscous and salad for a quick and healthy lunch, in a classic shrimp cocktail, or in our lime and chilli tacos. Try this pan fried shrimp power bowl!
How to grill shrimp: nothing says summer like grilling shrimp on a BBQ! Simply skewer your shrimp with thin slices of lemon in between for added flavour and grill for two to three minutes on either side on a hot, lightly oiled grill. We love a garlic saffron butter with ours. This herby prawn and red onion skewers could be your new favourite!
How to bake shrimp in the oven: a lesser-known way to enjoy shrimp, but no less delicious! Lay your shrimp on a baking tray and pop in a pre-heated oven, around six inches from the heat source. Bake for two to five minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp. As before, a rub or marinate can make your shrimp even more flavourful.
How to cook shrimp on the stove: another super quick way to a healthy dinner! Boil a pan of salted water, drop in your shrimp and simmer for one to three minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse under cold water, then serve. This is an especially good method if you’re preparing shrimp in advance for a cold salad.
The Best Way to Cook Shrimp | Techniquely with Lan Lam
FAQ
How is shrimp best cooked?
- In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the lemon zest, salt, and cayenne until it’s coated well.
- In a large frying pan or wok, heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is foaming, add the garlic and lemon juice. …
- Add the shrimp. Sauté until they cook through and turn pink, about 3 minutes.
What cooking method is best for shrimp?
If you prefer a crispy texture, then broiling or grilling is the best way to cook shrimp, but if you desire a softer and more delicate texture, then pan frying the shrimp is the way to go.
Is it okay to eat undercooked shrimp?