Hey there, fellow seafood lovers! Today I’m gonna share everything I know about cooking those delicious shrimp heads that some folks just throw away. Trust me, once you learn these techniques, you’ll never waste those flavorful heads again!
Why Should You Cook Shrimp Heads?
Listen up – before you toss those heads, here’s why they’re culinary gold:
- They pack INTENSE flavor (thanks to all that fat and natural juices)
- Add amazing depth to stocks and sauces
- Super nutritious – loaded with minerals
- Give dishes that authentic seafood taste
- Help keep the shrimp meat juicier when cooking whole
Getting Started: Picking the Perfect Shrimp
First things first – ya gotta start with good shrimp! Here’s what I look for:
- Fresh ocean smell (if it’s fishy, walk away!)
- Clear, not cloudy eyes
- Firm shells without cracks
- Crisp legs that aren’t falling off
- Stored properly on ice
Basic Prep Work
Before we get cooking, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Give ’em a good rinse under cold water
- Remove legs by gently twisting (they burn easily)
- Use kitchen scissors to cut along the back
- Clean out that vein (you know which one I mean!)
- Pat dry with paper towels
My Favorite Ways to Cook Shrimp Heads
1. Classic Garlic Butter Style
This is my go-to method – super simple but CRAZY good!
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper
- Lemon wedges
Instructions:
- Heat pan over medium-high
- Mix garlic, parsley, pepper flakes in oil
- Cook heads 2-3 mins each side
- Toss with sauce mixture
- Squeeze fresh lemon – boom! Done!
2. Grilled Head-On Prawns
Perfect for summer cookouts!
What you’ll need:
- Clean grill grates
- Oil for basting
- Your favorite seafood seasoning
- Tongs for flipping
Steps:
- Preheat grill to medium-high
- Oil those grates real good
- Season shrimp generously
- Grill 4-5 mins total, flipping once
- Look for bright red shells
3. Asian-Style Braised Heads
This one’s a flavor bomb!
Ingredients:
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Rice wine
- Green onions
Cooking method:
- Sauté aromatics
- Add heads and sauce
- Simmer 5-7 mins
- Garnish & serve hot
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t overcook! Shrimp heads get tough real quick
- Save heads for amazing stock
- Try different spice combos
- Always have lemons handy
- Shell-on cooking = juicier results
Storage & Leftovers
Keep it fresh, people!
- Store cooked heads up to 3 days in fridge
- Freeze raw heads for stock later
- Reheat gently – no nuking!
- Add fresh herbs when reheating
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We all mess up sometimes, but here’s what to watch for:
- Using old/sketchy shrimp
- Overcooking (seriously, don’t!)
- Skipping the cleaning step
- Too much heat too fast
- Not enough seasoning
Final Thoughts
Y’all, cooking shrimp heads might seem weird at first, but trust me – it’s worth it! Start with the garlic butter recipe if you’re new to this. Once you get comfortable, experiment with different flavors and techniques.
Remember, cooking should be fun! Don’t stress if your first try isn’t perfect. Keep at it, and soon you’ll be the shrimp head cooking master in your crew!
Got questions? Had success (or epic fails) with these recipes? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear from ya! Happy cooking!
Note: Would you like me to explain or break down any of the techniques mentioned above in more detail?
Get A Food Styling Kit
With garnish and food photography it’s better to start with a little and add more as you go. It’s easier to add more rather than have to backup and remove small pieces of garnish. But, we all have overdone it with the garnish sometimes. I have this food styling kit in my home studio which includes a variety of different sized spoons, tongs and finger grips. It helps me carefully remove small pieces of garnish or move things around without having to use my fingers and disrupt the rest of the plated food.
Recipe Notes for Grilled Head On Prawns
For some people, the idea of head-on prawns might freak them out. If that’s you, don’t worry. You can use regular shrimp instead. If you’re willing to include the head, it’s considered a delicacy. The flavors are more complex because the meat and fat from the head cooks with the rest of the body. And, as we all know… fat equals flavor.
Deep Fried Shrimp Head Recipe #Short #Yumupfood
FAQ
Is it healthy to eat shrimp heads?
It Is Rich in Antioxidants – Shrimp heads are a good source of antioxidants, including astaxanthin and selenium.Dec 8, 2022
How to cook shrimp with the head on on the stove?
Toss shrimp in 5 tablespoons of oil, salt, red pepper flakes and adobo until fully coated. Cook on medium/high heat on each side for 2-3 mins or until bright red. The shrimps will also be tightly curled when fully cooked.