Hey there seafood lovers! Today I’m super excited to share my favorite tips and tricks for cooking amazing butterflied shrimp. After years of experimenting in my kitchen, I’ve finally nailed down the perfect technique that’ll give you restaurant-quality results right at home. Let’s dive right in!
What You’ll Need
Essential Ingredients:
- Large shrimp (16/20 size works best)
- Butter or olive oil
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh garlic
- Lemon
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Kitchen Tools:
- Sharp paring knife
- Large bowl
- Baking sheet or pan
- Paper towels
- Ice for chilling
Step 1: Choosing and Preparing Your Shrimp
Listen up y’all – getting the right shrimp is super important! I always go for:
- Large or extra-large shrimp (16/20 count per pound)
- Fresh when possible, but frozen works too
- Shell-on shrimp with tails attached
Prep Steps:
- If frozen, thaw shrimp properly in fridge overnight
- Rinse under cool water
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Keep chilled while working by placing bowl on ice
Step 2: The Art of Butterflying
Here’s my foolproof method for butterflying shrimp
-
Remove shells but keep tails: Carefully peel off shells while leaving the tail segment attached
-
Make the perfect cut:
- Hold shrimp with curved side up
- Insert knife about ¼ inch deep near head
- Slice along back toward tail
- Don’t cut all the way through!
-
Remove the vein:
- Open up the cut
- Remove dark vein with knife tip
- Rinse quickly if needed
-
Open it up:
- Gently press shrimp flat
- Should look like a butterfly shape
- Both sides should be connected
Pro tip: Keep your knife sharp! A dull knife will just mangle your shrimp.
Step 3: Seasoning Your Shrimp
I’ve got some killer seasoning combos for ya:
Classic Garlic Butter:
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 3-4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cajun Style:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
Asian-Inspired:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
Step 4: Cooking Methods
1. Oven-Baked Method
This is my go-to method for consistently great results:
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Line baking sheet with foil
- Arrange butterflied shrimp flat
- Spray with olive oil cooking spray
- Bake 8-10 minutes
- Optional: broil last 1-2 minutes for extra crunch
2. Pan-Seared Method
Perfect when you’re in a hurry
- Heat pan over medium-high heat
- Add butter or oil
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Remove when opaque and slightly curled
3. Grilled Method
Great for summer cookouts
- Preheat grill to medium-high
- Oil grates well
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
- Watch carefully to avoid overcooking
Step 5: How to Know When They’re Done
Here’s the real tea – perfectly cooked shrimp should be:
- Opaque (not translucent)
- Light pink with red tails
- Slightly curled (but not tight C-shape)
- Internal temp of 145°F
Serving Suggestions
Make your butterflied shrimp shine with these serving ideas:
Dipping Sauces:
- Cocktail sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Lemon garlic aioli
- Sweet chili sauce
Perfect Pairings:
- Garlic butter rice
- Fresh green salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Crusty bread
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from my oopsies:
- Don’t skip the chilling step
- Avoid overcrowding the pan
- Never overcook (they’ll get rubbery)
- Don’t butterfly too deep
- Don’t forget to devein
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:
- Store in airtight container
- Keep refrigerated up to 3 days
- Reheat gently to avoid toughening
- Best eaten within 24 hours
Final Tips for Success
- Size Matters: Bigger shrimp are easier to butterfly
- Keep it Cold: Work with chilled shrimp
- Stay Sharp: Use a properly sharp knife
- Watch the Time: They cook super fast
- Don’t Rush: Take your time butterflying
Cooking butterflied shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does need a bit of love and attention. Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll be serving up some seriously impressive seafood that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Have you tried cooking butterflied shrimp before? What’s your favorite way to season them? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your experiences and tips too!
Happy cooking, y’all!
About This Article
Co-authored by:
To butterfly shrimp, start by washing and peeling the shrimps. Then, remove the digestive tract by cutting along the shrimps back and lifting out the dark vein. Next, carefully slice along the inner curve of the shrimp so the body is divided in half, but not completely separated. Afterwards, rinse the shrimp under cool running water and place it in a bowl of ice while you butterfly the rest of your shrimps. For tips on how to back butterfly your shrimps, keep reading!
Community Q&ASearch
- Question Can I add cream to garlic fried shrimp and serve it over rice?
KateKatey Girl Community Answer Yes you can! Add just a little bit, stir well, and taste. The cream should incorporate well with the butter/drippings from the garlic sauce. - Question What do I need for dipping ingredients?
Community Answer Cocktail sauce! To make it, mix 1 cup of ketchup, 1-2 tbsp horseradish to taste, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper. Then let it chill in the fridge.
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
How to butterfly a prawn in 3 easy steps
FAQ
How long do you cook butterfly shrimp for?
*FULLY COOK SHRIMP TO AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 145°F (65°C) OR HIGHER BEFORE SERVING. DEEP FRYING: Place shrimp in basket, separating to prevent from sticking. Fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2 ½ to 3 ½ minutes until golden brown and crispy.
What’s the best way to cook frozen butterfly 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.
How to cook butterflied shrimp in the oven?
Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the frozen shrimp from their packaging. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and add the frozen shrimp. Bake the shrimp for approximately 10-21 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What is the difference between butterfly shrimp and regular shrimp?
Can you cook butterflied shrimp?
Put your butterflied shrimp to use in these recipes. Keep an eye on cooking times, however, because butterflied shrimp cook through more quickly than shrimp that are fully intact. With this step-by-step guide to an invaluable kitchen skill, you’ll be cooking up perfectly butterflied shrimp in no time.
How do you butterfly a shrimp?
Butterflying is cooking technique that simply means cutting something almost in two while leaving the two parts connected in the middle. For shrimp, this starts by making a cut along the back and opening it up to create a beautiful butterfly shape—two symmetrical halves that are connected lengthwise down the middle.
Should you butterfly shrimp before cooking?
By butterflying or splitting shrimp down the back or belly before cooking you allow them to cook faster and more evenly. The pretty presentation also makes butterfly shrimp great for serving at parties or special occasions. Cooking up properly butterflied and seasoned shrimp is easier than you think.
What is butterfly shrimp?
Butterfly shrimp is a fun and tasty way to enjoy shrimp! By butterflying or splitting shrimp down the back or belly before cooking you allow them to cook faster and more evenly. The pretty presentation also makes butterfly shrimp great for serving at parties or special occasions.
Can butterfly shrimp be fried?
To turn them into a meal, serve butterfly shrimp with sides for fried fish like coleslaw or air-fryer french fries. The crispy shrimp also taste fantastic as a protein addition to salads, pasta dishes or grain bowls. If you want to avoid frying butterfly shrimp, try using them with another cooking method.
What are baked butterfly shrimp?
These delicious baked butterfly shrimp are plump, herb-y, buttery and a little crunchy. And, best of all, no frying and smelling up the kitchen. They take a bit more work than your basic shrimp cocktail, but worth it for a special occasion. The shrimp can either be served as an appetizer or as a main dish.