Hey there seafood lovers! Today I’m gonna share everything I know about steaming shrimp – one of the quickest and healthiest ways to cook these little ocean treasures. After years of experimenting in my kitchen, I’ve figured out the perfect timing for steamed shrimp that’s tender and juicy, not rubbery.
The Basic Timing Guide
Here’s the simple truth – steaming time depends mainly on shrimp size
- Small/Medium shrimp (31-40 per pound): 3-4 minutes
- Large shrimp (21-30 per pound): 4-5 minutes
- Jumbo/Extra Large (16-20 per pound): 5-6 minutes
Prep Work Makes Perfect
Before we get to the actual steaming here’s what ya need to do
-
Pick Your Shrimp
- Fresh is best, but frozen works too (just thaw completely)
- Look for wild-caught when possible
- Choose peeled and deveined to save time
-
Get Your Equipment Ready
- Large pot with lid
- Steamer basket
- Timer (super important!)
- About 2 inches of water
Step-by-Step Steaming Process
-
Bring water to boil in your pot
-
Season your shrimp
- Salt and pepper
- Maybe some Old Bay if you’re feeling fancy
- Garlic powder works great too
-
Place in steamer basket
- Don’t overcrowd – single layer is best
- Leave some space between shrimp
-
Steam with lid on
- Start timing when steam appears
- NO peeking! (keeps steam inside)
How to Know When They’re Done
Your shrimp are ready when:
- Color changes to pink-orange
- Flesh becomes opaque
- They curl into a loose “C” shape
- Pro tip: If they’re tight “O” shapes, they’re overcooked!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overcooking – biggest mistake ever! Rather undercook slightly (you can always steam more)
-
Overcrowding – gives uneven results
-
Opening lid too much – loses steam and heat
Serving Ideas
Once your shrimp are perfectly steamed, try these serving suggestions:
- Classic cocktail sauce
- Garlic butter dip
- Lemon wedges and fresh herbs
- Over salad
- In pasta dishes
Extra Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve learned some tricks over time:
- Keep shells on for more flavor
- Add aromatics to steaming water (lemon, garlic, herbs)
- Plunge in ice water after cooking to stop the cooking process
- Pat dry before serving
Steaming Different Types
Different shrimp varieties need slightly different treatment:
- Whiteleg shrimp: Standard timing works great
- Tiger prawns: Add 1 minute
- Pink shrimp: Reduce time by 30 seconds
Health Benefits of Steaming
Steaming is awesome because:
- Keeps nutrients intact
- No added fats needed
- Clean, pure seafood taste
- Quick and easy cleanup
Storage Tips
If you’ve got leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!):
- Refrigerate within 2 hours
- Store up to 3 days
- Reheat gently or serve cold
Final Thoughts
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t get discouraged if your first batch isn’t restaurant-quality. Keep trying and you’ll get the hang of it. The key is watching that timer like a hawk and getting to know your stove’s quirks.
I’d love to hear about your shrimp-steaming adventures! Drop a comment below with your experiences or questions. And don’t forget – when in doubt, less time is better than more. You can always steam them longer, but you can’t un-cook overcooked shrimp!
Happy steaming, seafood lovers!
Cocktail Sauce Ingredient Notes
How To Make Steamed Shrimp Cocktail
Prepare the steamer by adding water to the bottom of the pan.
Add the shrimp to the steamer tray or steaming basket. Cover the shrimp with the steamer pot lid.
Put the steamer pot on high heat, so the liquid can come to a boil. Once steam starts to form, set a timer for about 60 seconds to 90 seconds. Flip the shrimp. Steam another 60 seconds to 90 seconds.
Make an ice-water bath for the shrimp.
Quickly dump the steamed shrimp in an ice-water bath. This stops the shrimp from continuing to cook.
After about a minute, remove the shrimp onto a paper towel lined plate.
Pat dry the steamed shrimp. Chill the shrimp in the fridge while preparing the shrimp cocktail sauce.
Finely dice the cucumber.
Add the finely diced cucumber, ketchup, lemon juice, crushed garlic, prepared horseradish, tabasco (optional), and Worcestershire (optional) into a small bowl.
Mix until well combined.
Serve the chilled, steamed shrimp with lemon wedges and homemade cocktail sauce.
- Dont boil the shrimp. Within seconds the shrimp can overcook in boiling water resulting in rubbery shrunken shrimp.
- Steam the shrimp with a steamer. You can use a steamer basket insert and a conventional pot OR a steamer pot with a steam basket.
- Buy the shrimp thawed, shelled, and with the tail on. Save time by buying the shrimp ready to go.
- Use larger shrimp or jumbo shrimp. Dont skimp on size here if possible.
- Since you have your steamer pot out, steam some lobster tails too!
- Make homemade garlic butter sauce to serve with steamed shrimp (and lobster tails) instead of homemade cocktail sauce. Or make both!
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- 2 lbs shrimp uncooked frozen or fresh, tail-on
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ tablespoon prepared horseradish or more depending on preference
- 1 garlic clove crushed or mashed
- ½ lemon squeezed
- 2 tablespoon finely diced celery
- 1 teaspoon tabasco sauce optional
- ½ tablespoon worcestershire sauce optional
- Prepare the uncooked shrimp so its thawed and the shell is removed but with the tail-on. Have the ice-water bath ready in a large bowl.
- Add water to the bottom of the steamer pot. Place the shrimp in the steamer tray. Cover the pot with the lid.
- Bring the steamer to a boil. Once you see steam and the shrimp starting to turn pink, set a timer for 60 seconds to 90 seconds. Flip the shrimp and steam for another 60 seconds to 90 seconds.
- Immediately dump the shrimp in the ice water bath for about a minute until they cool down. Move to a paper towel lined plate. Blot the shrimp dry using a paper towel. Chill the shrimp in the fridge while preparing the homemade cocktail sauce.
How to Steam Shrimp – Basic Kitchen Skills
FAQ
How long does it take to steam raw shrimp?
Steam until the shrimp they curl and turn bright pink. Steam for 4 to 6 minutes for 1 to 2 pounds of shrimp. Immediately remove the steamer from the pot. The shrimp should have changed color and be firm to the touch but still give a little.
Is it better to steam or boil shrimp?
Both steaming and boiling are effective methods for cooking shrimp, but steaming is generally preferred for its ability to retain moisture and flavor, while boiling can sometimes lead to tougher shrimp.
How do you know when steamed shrimp is done?
How do you know when steamed shrimp are done? When the shrimp turn from pink to opaque white and firm, they’re done. It’s best to stir the shrimp well once during cooking to make sure they cook evenly.
How many minutes to fully cook shrimp?
Smaller shrimp will cook faster than larger ones, while the total time for bigger boys will be a little longer. Here’s associate food editor Kendra Vaculin’s rule of thumb: Cook medium shrimp for approximately 3 minutes, large shrimp for 4–5 minutes, and jumbo shrimp for 6–7 minutes.Jul 19, 2023