Hey there fellow food lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp in my trusty cast iron skillet for years and let me tell you – it’s a game-changer! Today, I’m gonna share all my secrets for making the most delicious, perfectly cooked shrimp using this amazing kitchen tool. Let’s dive right in!
Why Choose Cast Iron for Cooking Shrimp?
Before we get to the cooking part, here’s why cast iron is your best friend for cooking shrimp:
- Even heating – No more partially cooked shrimp!
- Amazing searing capabilities – Creates that beautiful golden-brown crust
- Heat retention – Keeps cooking consistent
- Natural non-stick surface – When properly seasoned
- Adds a tiny bit of dietary iron – A nice little health bonus!
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients:
- 1-1.5 pounds large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Equipment:
- Cast iron skillet (10-12 inch)
- Tongs
- Paper towels
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Cast Iron Shrimp
1. Prep Your Shrimp
Before anything else, make sure your shrimp are:
- Thawed (if frozen)
- Peeled and deveined (unless cooking in shells)
- Patted completely dry with paper towels
- At room temperature for even cooking
2. Season Your Skillet
- Place your cast iron over medium heat
- Let it warm up for 4-5 minutes
- Add your choice of fat (oil or butter)
- Wait until the oil shimmers or butter foams
3. The Cooking Process
Quick Cooking Guide:- Large shrimp: 2-3 minutes per side- Medium shrimp: 1-2 minutes per side- Small shrimp: 1 minute per side- Place shrimp in a single layer (don’t overcrowd!)
- Let them cook undisturbed until edges turn pink
- Flip once when bottom side is golden brown
- Cook until just opaque throughout
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
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Don’t Overcrowd Cook in batches if needed Overcrowding = steaming instead of searing
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Temperature Matters Your skillet should be hot but not smoking If it’s smoking, turn down the heat!
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The Curl Test: When shrimp form a loose “C” shape, they’re done. If they’re in a tight “O” shape, they’re overcooked.
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Seasoning Ideas:
- Classic: Garlic, lemon, butter
- Cajun: Your favorite cajun seasoning
- Mediterranean: Oregano, basil, olive oil
- Spicy: Red pepper flakes, cayenne
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not drying shrimp properly
- Moving shrimp too much while cooking
- Overcooking (trust me, it happens fast!)
- Using too low heat
- Forgetting to preheat the skillet
Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Here’s my go-to recipe that never fails:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Heat your cast iron over medium-high heat
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter
- Add shrimp in single layer
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Remove shrimp
- Add remaining butter and garlic
- Return shrimp, add lemon juice
- Toss to coat
- Garnish with parsley
Cleaning Your Cast Iron After Cooking Shrimp
- Rinse with hot water while pan is still warm
- Use gentle soap if needed
- Dry thoroughly
- Apply light coating of oil
- Heat for 5 minutes to prevent fishy smells
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, cooking shrimp in a cast iron skillet is one of my favorite ways to prepare these little ocean gems. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to cook them any other way! Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and flavors.
Got questions about cooking shrimp in cast iron? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help! Happy cooking, everyone!
Stove Cooking Shrimp Expert Tips
To consistently get flawless pan-seared shrimp, adhere to the following strategies and tricks:
- Go to the grocery store and buy shrimp that have already been cleaned, de-veined, and shelled. I can assure you that this will save your life! Time-saving as well. Heres how to prepare shrimp yourself if you cant locate them already prepared!
- Before adding the raw shrimp to the pan, pat them dry completely. This aids in the sear once again!
- It makes a big difference what pan or skillet you use to sear shrimp on the stove!
- For any kind of searing, I suggest using cast iron pans instead of non-stick ones. primarily because cast iron skillets hold heat better, which is essential for pan searing. Furthermore, using non-stick cookware at high temperatures is not recommended.
- Make sure the shrimp are in a hot skillet to achieve a gorgeous golden brown sear.
- Giving the shrimp lots of space in the pan is essential for nicely charred shrimp. Avoid crowding! The shrimp will steam instead than sear if the pan is too full.
- Dont cook the shrimp too much! You dont want overcooked shrimp to have a brittle, rubbery texture. The shrimp cooks in around 4-6 minutes overall, with 2-3 minutes spent on each side. The size of the shrimp will determine the precise frying time, but just keep a watch on them. Particularly on shrimp that are smaller! It will quickly come to a boil.
- For the most part, dont disturb the shrimp! Dont touch the shrimp until its time to flip them after youve first spread them out. After flipping, wait until they are finished before touching them again.
There are numerous ways to serve these succulent shrimp! These are my thoughts:
- Toss it in a wrap: Put this seared shrimp in a big tortilla along with some cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauce. All of this comes together to make a delicious and easy lunch or dinner.
- Add it to a salad. In my opinion, nothing beats a salad with some seared or grilled shrimp on top. Its one of my favorite restaurant orders. You may use my Mediterranean Chopped Salad to prepare it at home!
- Serve with a carbs and a vegetable: You may serve this simple protein as a main course with any kind of side dish. For the ideal well-rounded dinner, I suggest a carbs source, such as Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes or Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, and a vegetable.
- This is possibly my favorite way to eat these delicious shrimp: on top of spaghetti. It complements my Greek Yogurt Alfredo Pasta so well.
- Lettuce wraps: This easy seafood dish is a great way to keep carbs down. For all of my lettuce wrap advice, as tuna wraps.
I promise that this shrimp will taste great either way you decide to eat it!
Yes, I fail to see why not! Before using, just thaw the frozen shrimp.
I suggest pan-searing shrimp in a skillet or cast iron pan! The lovely sear we want wont be developed in a non-stick skillet.
When the shrimp turns white with pink and crimson flecks, from gray and somewhat translucent, you know its done. When its cooked, the shrimp will also curl up like the letter “C.” As an alternative, you can check the shrimps internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should rise to 120 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The shrimp should be cooked for two to three minutes on each side. However, this duration may be somewhat longer if youre using larger shrimp, such as jumbo shrimp. You may always cut into a shrimp to make sure its cooked through if youre worried. The most reliable method is always this one!
Shrimp leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container. The best shelf life is three days! I suggest putting it back in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat to reheat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until just warmed through.
If you tried this Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (Cast Iron Shrimp!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
Pan Seared Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions
This simple pan-seared shrimp recipe requires almost no ingredients! All you need are fresh shrimp, herbs, and pantry essentials.
Heres what you can grab:
- This delectable dinner calls for one pound of shrimp! I prefer to buy already cleaned, shelled, and de-veined shrimp at the grocery store or market. Its an easy method to save time.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons butter gives this shrimp a fantastic flavor and a lovely sear. You might also use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or veggie oil.
- Fresh Parsley: I enjoy adding ½ tablespoon of fresh parsley to this recipe! It imparts a clear, peppery, and earthy flavor. It also makes for an absolutely stunning presentation! You can also substitute different fresh herbs. Perhaps use fresh cilantro or basil.
- Seasonings: I love the simple seasonings used in this quick dish! 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper provide a rather neutral flavor, allowing this shrimp to be utilized in a variety of ways. It can be served on top of a Mediterranean salad, in a taco bowl, or on top of a large bowl of creamy pasta!
Ingredients for pan seared shrimp are measured out on a white table.
- Spoons and Measuring Cup
- Large Skillet
- Wooden Cooking Utensil
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
Pan seared lemon butter shrimp
FAQ
Can you cook shrimp on cast iron?
Should you cook shrimp in oil or butter?
How long to cook shrimp each side with cast iron?
Cook without disturbing until the bottom of the shrimp is golden brown, about 1 minute. Turn the shrimp over and cook until the other side is brown and the shrimp is just opaque throughout, about 1 minute longer.
How long does it take for shrimp to cook in a skillet?
Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until the flesh is totally pink and opaque, and you see no more grey bits. Depending on the size of your shrimp and how many you have in the pan, this will usually take 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve sautéed shrimp immediately.Jan 27, 2024
Can you cook shrimp in a cast iron skillet?
Quick, energizing, and healthy, cast iron shrimp makes an ideal weeknight dinner, especially when you’re short on time. Your skillet is the ultimate sidekick, perfectly searing those shrimp while keeping them crisp and juicy. Read on four our easy, lemony garlic shrimp recipe and our best tips for cooking shrimp in cast iron.
How do you cook pan seared shrimp in a cast iron pan?
Making pan seared shrimp in a cast iron pan or other skillet with browned bits is super easy. Here are the directions: Pat the raw shrimp dry with paper towel and toss the shrimp in the spices. Preheat your pan so that you have a hot skillet or cast iron pan. Add the butter, then place the shrimp in a single layer in the pan.
How do you cook dry dripping shrimp in a cast iron skillet?
If cooking shrimp straight from the fridge, be sure to give your cast iron skillet time to preheat gradually so it’s piping hot. Over high heat, preheat for 4-5 minutes. Add a tablespoon of fat like oil or butter. It should shimmer when hot enough. 3. Pat Shrimp Dry Damp shrimp will steam instead of sear.
Can you cook seafood in a cast iron skillet?
Microwaving is a quick alternative. When cooking seafood in your cast iron skillet it’s especially important to try and rinse it right after you finish cooking. You can pour a glass of hot water into the pan while it’s still hot on the stove—this will start lifting any stuck-on bits right away.
How do you cook raw shrimp?
Pat the raw shrimp dry with paper towel and toss the shrimp in the spices. Preheat your pan so that you have a hot skillet or cast iron pan. Add the butter, then place the shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side of the shrimp to get a nice sear. You can see my note below about the type of pan to use.
Can you cook halibut in a cast iron skillet?
How to Cook Halibut in a Cast Iron Skillet The combination of lemon zest, garlic and olive oil make this delicious dish refreshing and flavorful. Plus, cooking them up in your cast iron skillet gives you beautifully seared, tender shrimp. We love this recipe served over an arugula and baby greens salad with a side of warm, crusty bread.