Hey there, shrimp lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years, and lemme tell you – it ain’t rocket science! Today, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about cooking raw shrimp perfectly. No more rubbery, overcooked shrimp disasters, I promise!
Quick Answer
To cook raw shrimp simply
- Clean and pat dry the shrimp
- Season them well
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque
- Remove from heat when they form a “C” shape
Now let’s dive deeper into the juicy details!
Getting Started: Shopping for Raw Shrimp
Picking the Best Shrimp
Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – frozen shrimp is usually fresher than “fresh” shrimp at the counter. Here’s why
- Most shrimp are frozen right after catching
- Thawed counter shrimp might’ve been sitting there for who knows how long
- Frozen shrimp = more control over thawing and freshness
Shrimp Sizes Matter
Here’s a handy guide to shrimp counts per pound
- Small: 36-40 shrimp
- Medium: 31-35 shrimp
- Large: 26-30 shrimp
- Jumbo: 21-25 shrimp
- Colossal: 15 or fewer shrimp
Pro tip: When recipes say “large shrimp,” just go by these numbers instead of the confusing size labels!
Prepping Your Raw Shrimp
Thawing Frozen Shrimp
Got frozen shrimp? No worries! You’ve got 2 options:
- Overnight method: Pop ’em in the fridge (my preferred way)
- Quick method: Run under cold water in a colander
Cleaning and Deveining
Nobody wants that yucky vein! Here’s what ya do:
- Rinse under cold water
- Remove shells (unless recipe says otherwise)
- Make a shallow cut along the back
- Pull out the dark vein
- Pat those babies dry!
4 Foolproof Ways to Cook Raw Shrimp
1. Pan-Searing Method (My Fave!)
Ingredients:- 1 lb raw shrimp- 2 tbsp olive oil- Salt and pepper- Optional: garlic, lemon, herbsSteps:1. Heat pan over medium-high heat2. Add oil until shimmering3. Place shrimp in single layer4. Cook 2-3 mins per side5. Remove when pink and C-shaped2. Poaching Method (Perfect for Shrimp Cocktail)
1. Bring seasoned water to boil2. Add shrimp3. Cook times: - Large: 3-4 minutes - Jumbo: 5-6 minutes4. Ice bath immediately after3. Grilling Method (Summer BBQ Star!)
1. Preheat grill to medium-high (350-400°F)2. Oil grates well3. Thread on skewers or use basket4. Grill 2-3 mins per side5. Remove when opaque4. Broiling Method (Quick & Easy)
1. Place rack on highest position2. Heat broiler3. Season shrimp with oil and spices4. Broil 2 mins5. Flip if needed, 1-2 mins moreHow to Tell When Shrimp is Done
This is where most folks mess up! Here’s your foolproof guide:
- Undercooked: Gray and translucent
- Perfect: Pink with red tails and C-shape
- Overcooked: O-shaped and rubbery
Pro tip: Pull ’em off the heat just before they’re fully done – they’ll keep cooking for a minute!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen up! These are the biggies I see people messing up:
- Overcrowding the pan (gives ya steamed instead of seared shrimp)
- Moving them too much (let them sear, people!)
- Cooking too long (seriously, they cook FAST)
- Not patting dry before cooking
- Forgetting to season well
Yummy Serving Ideas
Once you’ve mastered cooking raw shrimp, try these serving suggestions:
- Toss with pasta and garlic butter
- Add to stir-fries
- Make quick tacos
- Serve over rice
- Add to salads
- Make a classic shrimp cocktail
My Go-To Simple Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Here’s a recipe that never fails:
Ingredients:- 1 lb large shrimp- 6 garlic cloves, minced- 1.5 tbsp olive oil- 2 tbsp butter- Lemon juice- Parsley- Red pepper flakes- SaltInstructions:1. Heat oil in large skillet until almost smoking2. Add shrimp in single layer3. Cook 1 minute without moving4. Add garlic and seasonings5. Flip shrimp, add butter6. Cook 2-3 more minutes7. Garnish with parsleyStorage Tips
Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:
- Refrigerate cooked shrimp up to 3 days
- Store in airtight container
- Don’t freeze cooked shrimp (gets rubbery)
- Reheat gently to avoid overcooking
Final Tips from a Shrimp-Cooking Pro
After years of cooking these little guys, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Fresh ain’t always best – frozen is fine!
- Dry shrimp = better sear
- Don’t walk away while cooking
- When in doubt, undercook slightly
- Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving
Now you’re ready to cook raw shrimp like a pro! Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and methods. Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments below!
Happy cooking, y’all!
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!
Is shrimp keto or paleo friendly?
Shrimp is both paleo and keto friendly, making it a perfect fit for low-carb, whole-food diets. Naturally low in carbohydrates and rich in lean protein, shrimp supports muscle maintenance without spiking blood sugar. It’s also packed with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and vitamin B12, all of which align with the nutrient dense focus of paleo and keto diets. Plus, it’s quick to cook and easy to pair with vegetables and healthy fats like avocado or olive oil.
How to Cook Raw Shrimp
FAQ
Is it better to boil or steam raw shrimp?
Steaming, instead of boiling, is a more gentle method of cooking shrimp. You’re less likely to overcook them, and they will be much more flavorful. (Boiling shrimp leads to a watered down flavor and rubbery texture. No thank you!)
What is the best way to cook frozen raw shrimp?
- Bring a saucepan of water to a rapid boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat, let it stop boiling, and wait 5 minutes
- Add frozen shrimp, stir, cover, and wait 5 minutes.
- Drain and serve immediately or stir into a ready-to-serve recipe.
Should you rinse raw shrimp before you cook it?
Do I wash shrimp before cooking? I recommend rinsing your shrimp in cold water to remove any broken shell pieces from the shrimp or leftover vein. Don’t forget to pat your shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess water.
How do you know when raw shrimp is done cooking?
For a sure-fire way to tell if shrimp are cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This is done by inserting the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the shrimp. When the temperature reaches 140 degrees F, they’re done.