Ever ruined a pot of soup by overcooking the shrimp? I’ve been there! As a seafood lover, I’ve learned that getting the timing right is crucial for tender, juicy shrimp. Let me share what I’ve discovered about nailing the perfect cook time for shrimp in soup.
The Quick Answer
Raw shrimp typically needs just 2-3 minutes to cook in hot soup. Once they turn pink and opaque, they’re done! But there’s more to it than just watching the clock.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
The exact cooking time depends on several things
-
Shrimp Size
- Extra small (36-45 per pound): 1-2 minutes
- Small (31-35 per pound): 2 minutes
- Medium (26-30 per pound): 3 minutes
- Large (21-25 per pound): 4 minutes
- Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 4 minutes
-
Starting Temperature
- Room temp shrimp: Standard cooking time
- Cold/refrigerated: Add 1 minute
- Frozen: Add 2-3 minutes (but better to thaw first!)
-
Type of Soup
- Thick soups (chowders/bisques): Cooks faster
- Thin broths: May need extra time
- Boiling vs. simmering: Hotter liquid = faster cooking
How to Tell When Shrimp is Done
Here’s what I look for:
- Color changes from gray to pink
- Flesh becomes opaque
- Forms a “C” shape (if it makes an “O”, it’s overcooked!)
- Feels firm but still tender when poked
Pro tip: I always undercook slightly since they’ll keep cooking from residual heat.
Best Practices for Adding Shrimp to Soup
- Wait until other ingredients are cooked
- Bring soup to a simmer (not rolling boil)
- Add shrimp gradually to maintain temperature
- Stir gently to ensure even cooking
- Remove from heat just before they’re fully done
Raw vs. Pre-cooked Shrimp
If using pre-cooked shrimp
- Only needs 1-2 minutes to heat through
- Add at the very end
- Watch carefully to avoid rubber-like texture
For raw shrimp:
- Cook 2-4 minutes depending on size
- Add when soup is almost done
- Remove as soon as they turn pink
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pot
- Adding shrimp too early
- Boiling instead of simmering
- Not stirring enough
- Walking away while they cook
Recipe Example: Basic Shrimp Soup
Here’s my go-to method:
- Sauté aromatics (onion, garlic, celery)
- Add broth and seasonings
- Simmer until veggies are tender
- Add raw shrimp
- Cook 2-3 minutes until pink
- Finish with fresh herbs and lemon
Safety Tips
- Internal temp should reach 145°F
- Don’t use shrimp that smell fishy
- Store leftover soup properly
- Reheat gently to avoid overcooking
Remember, ya can’t un-cook overcooked shrimp! When in doubt, take them out early – you can always cook them more, but you can’t fix rubbery shrimp.
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail?
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Paired with Tartine sourdough and homemade stock, this simple soup leaves one feeling elated, healed. And with so little effort.
My husband and I have been making this for years. We first saw the recipe in a cooking section from the ny times in the 90s I think. Our soup was made with shrimp broth from the shrimp being used ( added black pepper corns and bay leaf) and we also added cumin and a little bit of pepper flakes. I do not remember if the original recipe had those ingredients or we thought em up, anyone know? Anyway it was and is still delicious!
Light and simple. Used 2 qt. of homemade chicken stock; the bread soaks up most of it.Private comments are only visible to you.
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Easy Shrimp Noodle Soup
FAQ
How to keep shrimp tender in soup?
Remove the shrimp from the heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Add the shrimp to the soup just before serving: Add the cooked shrimp to the soup just before serving, to prevent them from becoming rubbery. This will also allow the shrimp to absorb the flavors of the soup without becoming overcooked.
How long do shrimp need to be cooked?
How long does it take to cook shrimp at a simmer?
How long are cooked shrimp in soup good for?
Properly stored cooked shrimp lasts 3-4 days in an airtight container at a safe refrigerator temperature.
How long to cook shrimp in soup?
Several factors impact how long shrimp needs to cook in soup: Size of the shrimp – Smaller shrimp cooks faster, larger shrimp needs more time. Go with 3-4 minutes for medium or large shrimp. Cut the time down for smaller shrimp. Type of soup – Hearty chowders and bisques retain heat, cooking shrimp faster than lighter broths.
How long do you cook frozen shrimp in soup?
First, the shrimp first hits a hot skillet of olive oil to sear the shrimp until JUST pink (2 minutes or so.) How long does it take to cook frozen shrimp in soup? Most shrimp cook in about 2 to 6 minutes, but it depends on the size. Jumbo shrimp may take a little more time. When the flesh turns pink in boiling water, the shrimp is fully cooked.
How long do you cook pre cooked shrimp?
Pre-cooked shrimp – Only needs 2-3 minutes in soup to heat through. Add pre-cooked shrimp early since it won’t overcook. Watch pre-cooked shrimp closely to avoid tough, rubbery texture if soup simmers too long. For food safety, make sure pre-cooked shrimp reaches 165°F. Follow these simple tips for flawless shrimp texture and flavor:
How do you cook raw shrimp?
Chicken Noodle Soup – Add pre-cooked shrimp in last 1-2 minutes. Minestrone – Add raw shrimp 2-3 minutes before soup is done. Seafood Bisque – Add raw shrimp and cook 4-5 minutes until opaque. Gumbo – Cook raw shrimp separately on stovetop first, then add to simmer gumbo 1 minute to heat through.
How long does it take to cook Shrimp chowder?
Go with 3-4 minutes for medium or large shrimp. Cut the time down for smaller shrimp. Type of soup – Hearty chowders and bisques retain heat, cooking shrimp faster than lighter broths. Other ingredients – Hard vegetables like potatoes or carrots add cooking time if they aren’t fully cooked before the shrimp is added.
How long do you cook frozen shrimp?
Add a minute or two if shrimp is frozen. Watch the shrimp carefully and remove them from the soup immediately when they turn opaque. For pre-cooked shrimp, cut the time in half, cooking just until heated through, about 1-2 minutes depending on size. The best way to tell when shrimp is done is to look at the color and texture: