Hey there! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years and steaming is hands-down my favorite method. Today I’m gonna share everything I know about making perfectly steamed shrimp that’s tender, juicy and full of flavor.
Why Choose Steaming Over Other Cooking Methods?
Steaming shrimp is awesome because:
- It cooks the shrimp evenly from all sides
- Keeps them tender and moist (no rubbery shrimp!)
- Makes seasoning super easy
- Takes just minutes to cook
- You don’t need fancy equipment
What You’ll Need
Basic Equipment:
- Large pot with lid
- Steamer basket or colander
- Tongs for handling shrimp
Don’t have a steamer? No worries! You can make a DIY steamer by:
- Using an upside-down heat-safe bowl with a plate on top
- Placing a heatproof colander in your pot
- Creating a veggie platform with potatoes/corn (bonus side dish!)
Step-by-Step Steaming Guide
1. Prep Your Shrimp
First things first – clean those little guys:
- Remove heads (if needed)
- Peel shells (unless making peel-n-eat)
- Devein if you want (not required but many prefer it)
2. Optional But Worth It: The Brine
Want extra juicy shrimp? Try this quick brine
- Mix 1 tablespoon salt per 2 cups ice water
- Soak shrimp for 1 hour
- Rinse before cooking
3. Steaming Times by Size
Here’s my tried-and-true timing chart:
| Shrimp Size | Steaming Time |
|---|---|
| Small | 2-4 minutes |
| Medium | 3-5 minutes |
| Large | 4-6 minutes |
| Extra Large | 5-7 minutes |
| Jumbo | 6-8 minutes |
4. The Actual Cooking Process
- Add about 2 inches of water to your pot
- Add any seasonings to the water (more on this below!)
- Bring water to boil
- Place steamer in pot
- Add shrimp in a single layer
- Cover and cook according to size
- Halfway through, toss shrimp for even cooking
- They’re done when pink and opaque!
Flavor Boosting Tips
Want to kick up the taste? Try these add-ins
To the steaming liquid:
- Old Bay seasoning (my personal fave!)
- Lemon slices
- Beer or wine instead of water
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh herbs
Direct on shrimp:
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Fresh herbs
- Garlic powder
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t overcrowd – steam in batches if needed
- Keep shells on for more flavor
- Check early – you can always cook longer
- For cold shrimp (like cocktail), plunge in ice water after cooking
- Move shrimp around halfway through cooking
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Trust me, I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:
- Using too much water (should not touch the steamer)
- Overcooking (leads to rubber-band texture)
- Forgetting to season
- Crowding too many shrimp in the pot
Serving Suggestions
Steamed shrimp are super versatile! Serve them:
- Hot with melted butter
- Chilled with cocktail sauce
- In salads
- As part of a seafood boil
- With pasta or rice
Would you like me to explain any part in more detail?
How to Prepare Steamed Shrimp
Cooking up shrimp using steam is a tasty and nutritious option for enjoying seafood. It’s easy to prepare, and with the right ingredients, you can create a dish that will have your family asking for seconds.
Appetizers and Snacks with Steamed Shrimp:
Steamed shrimp makes a great addition to any appetizer spread or snack platter. For a light yet flavorful starter, try steaming small jumbo shrimps with garlic butter sauce on top. Serve them warm alongside fresh vegetables like carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices.
For something hearty but still healthy, combine steamed shrimp with diced avocado cubes tossed in olive oil vinaigrette dressing over mixed greens salad leaves. Serve the shrimp as part of a starter platter with cured meats, olives, roasted red peppers, feta cheese chunks, artichoke hearts, and grilled zucchini slices, accompanied by small portions of focaccia or ciabatta bread.
For a meal with some added kick, sauté bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and snow peas in sesame oil before adding steamed shrimp. Serve this up over brown basmati rice or quinoa pilafs drizzled lightly with teriyaki glaze sauce for an extra sweet touch that complements the seafood perfectly while providing essential vitamins and minerals necessary when consuming such proteins regularly.
Key Takeaway: Shrimp cooked in steam is a quick and tasty option for any course, from an appetizer to the main dish. With the right timing and preparation techniques, it can be served with garlic butter sauce for starters, sautéed vegetables for mains, and teriyaki glaze over brown basmati rice or quinoa pilafs for added flavor.
How to Steam Shrimp – Basic Kitchen Skills
FAQ
Is it better to boil or steam shrimp?
How long does it take to steam shrimp?
How do you cook already steamed shrimp?
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Step 2: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. Step 3: Cover the shrimp with aluminum foil to keep them moist. Step 4: Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
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.
How do you steam shrimp at home?
To steam shrimp at home, follow these simple steps: 1. Prepare your steaming equipment: Start by filling a large pot or a steamer pot with water, leaving enough space for steam to circulate. Place a steamer basket or a metal colander inside the pot to hold the shrimp.
How long do you cook small shrimp?
Small shrimp have over 30 shrimp per pound. These tiny shrimp cook up the quickest since they have the least amount of meat. For small shrimp, steam for just 2-4 minutes for perfect texture. I like to gently stir them at the 2 minute mark. Small shrimp will be tender and moist when steamed for 2-4 minutes. Take care not to overcook them.
How do you cook a fried shrimp in a steamer?
Leave the shells on during steaming for better moisture retention. Peel after cooking. Use a steamer basket or metal colander to keep shrimp elevated above the boiling water. Resist overcrowding. Steam shrimp in a single layer for the best results. Season shrimp before steaming. Old Bay, lemon pepper, and Cajun seasoning all work great.
What size shrimp to steam?
Technically you can use any size of shrimp to steam. But, I prefer a shrimp that isn’t too large or too small. If you have your pick of shrimp, try to get the large shrimp that come 16-20 shrimp per pound with the shell on. That will give you the best results for steamed shrimp! To Steam or to Boil shrimp?
Should you boil or steam shrimp?
Moreover, the shrimp’s flavor can leach off into the boiling water. Steaming is much gentler on seafood and helps lock in the shrimp’s flavor. Additionally, steaming is more convenient than boiling because you need less water, which means you don’t have to wait as long for it to come to a boil.