Hey there! As someone who cooks shrimp at least twice a week, I’ve had my fair share of battles with that unpleasant fishy taste. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than serving your family shrimp that tastes like it came straight from a stinky fish market. But don’t worry – I’ve got some super effective tricks that’ll make your shrimp taste fresh and delicious every time.
Why Does Shrimp Taste Fishy Anyway?
Before we dive into the solutions. let’s quickly understand why shrimp gets that funky taste
- When shrimp dies, a compound called TMAO converts to TMA (that’s what causes the fishy smell)
- Poor storage or old shrimp = more TMA = fishier taste
- Low-quality water conditions where shrimp grew
- Improper handling and overcooking
6 Tried-and-True Methods to Remove Fishy Taste
1. The Milk Soak Method (My Personal Favorite!)
This is my go-to method because it’s super effective
- Place peeled shrimp in a bowl
- Cover completely with whole milk
- Let soak for 30 minutes (but no longer than 2 hours)
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water
- Pat dry with paper towels
Why it works: The protein in milk (casein) binds with TMA and pulls it right out of the shrimp!
2. The Quick Salt Rinse Technique
Perfect when you’re short on time:
- Put shrimp in a bowl
- Add 1 teaspoon salt per pound
- Gently massage for 1 minute
- Rinse with cold water
- Repeat 3 times
3. The Citrus Solution
This method’s great because it adds flavor while removing fishiness:
- Mix in a bowl:
- 3 cups cold water
- Juice of 1 lemon or lime
- Few lemon/lime slices
- Soak shrimp for 15-30 minutes
- Rinse and pat dry
4. The Vinegar Bath
Super effective for really fishy shrimp
- Mix 4 cups cold water with 1 cup white vinegar
- Soak shrimp for 10 minutes
- Rinse really well (nobody wants vinegar-tasting shrimp!)
5. The Baking Soda Fix
- Mix 4 tablespoons baking soda with 4 cups water
- Soak shrimp for 30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly
6. The Spice Cover-Up Method
When all else fails, mask that taste:
- Garlic and ginger (lots of it!)
- Spicy chilies or cayenne pepper
- Fresh herbs like oregano or thyme
- Bold spice blends (cajun seasoning works great)
Pro Tips for Preventing Fishy Taste
- Buy Fresh:
- Look for clear eyes
- Firm texture
- No strong odors
- Check those sell-by dates!
- Store Properly:
- Keep at 32-40°F
- Use within 2 days
- Store in coldest part of fridge
- Cook Smart:
- Don’t overcook (makes ’em rubbery and fishier)
- Use high, dry heat when possible
- Grill, sauté, or broil instead of boiling
When to Toss It
Y’all, if your shrimp:
- Smells like ammonia
- Has a slimy texture
- Shows discoloration
Just throw it out! No method’s gonna fix spoiled shrimp, and it ain’t worth getting sick over.
Bottom Line
Getting rid of fishy taste in shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of know-how. I personally swear by the milk soak method, but try different techniques to find what works best for you. Remember, fresh shrimp shouldn’t smell super fishy to begin with, so starting with quality ingredients is half the battle!
Would you like me to explain any of these methods in more detail? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear which method works best for you!
Note: Sometimes the simplest solution is the best – when in doubt, just give your shrimp a good rinse under cold water before cooking. You’d be surprised how often that’s all you need!
Hack #3: Baking Soda Soak
Baking soda is a natural odor absorber. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of cold water and soak your shrimp for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly before cooking. Be careful not to over-soak, as it can affect the texture.
I’ve done this method before, but prefer using the lemon, water and ice hack for the best tasting shrimp.
Hack #1: The Salt Rinse
Salt acts like a sponge, drawing out impurities and odors from the shrimp. Here’s how to do it:
- Place your shrimp in a bowl (shell-on or shell-off)
- Sprinkle liberally with salt (about 1 tbsp per pound of shrimp)
- Gently massage the salt into the shrimp for a minute
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water
- Repeat 2-3 times for maximum odor removal
While the salt rinse is effective for shrimp smell removal, I am a fan of doing less work. Repeating the process 2-3 times to get rid of that fishy odor while I’m trying to get a meal on the table for my family is not my jam.
The Secret to Perfect Shrimp! Fresh, Flavorful & No Fishy Taste
FAQ
What cancels out fishy taste?
First, try rinsing the fish in cold water and then patting it dry with a paper towel. This will remove some of the surface bacteria that can cause the fishy taste. Next, soak the fish in milk for about 30 minutes. The milk will help to neutralize the strong fishy taste of the fish.
How do you cook shrimp without a fishy taste?
Sprinkle another (1) teaspoon of salt on the Shrimp. Stir the shrimp for one (1) minute. Place the shrimp in a colander and thoroughly rinse them with cold running water. A helpful tip that I have discovered over the years is that shrimp can be prepared without any fishy or salty taste.
How to get rid of fishy taste in shrimp?
When these animals die, TMAO starts converting to trimethylamine (TMA), which makes them taste fishy. Luckily, there are a few easy methods you can try to get rid of the fishy taste in shrimp. You can get rid of the fishy taste in shrimp using several methods. First off, you should always start by rinsing the shrimp with cold water.
How do you remove fish odor from shrimp?
Milk works wonders for neutralizing your fishy-smelling shrimp, but there are other liquids that can mask the odor or taste as well. Marinating shrimp in lime juice is another way to remove the fishiness. Soak the shrimp (in the shell or out of the shell) in a bowl of cold water and lime juice or lime wedges for 15 to 30 minutes.
How do you make shrimp taste fishy?
Marinate shrimp in a vinaigrette or mixture of oil, vinegar, and spices for 1 hour. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar into the poaching liquid when boiling shrimp. Citrus juices and vinegars work fast to remove fishy shrimp smells. Always add them right before cooking. How you cook shrimp also impacts how fishy it tastes.
Does shrimp have a fishy smell?
Shrimp is a delicious seafood that can be prepared in endless ways However, sometimes shrimp can have an unpleasant fishy odor or taste that puts people off. As someone who loves shrimp, I’ve experimented with various methods to get rid of that fishy shrimp taste and smell
Does lemon juice make shrimp taste fishy?
Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, lime juice, and vinegar all help to neutralize and mask fishy tastes in shrimp. The acid essentially cooks the proteins in the shrimp, stopping the fishy compounds from being released. Some easy ways to use acidic ingredients: Add lemon/lime juice and zest to shrimp and let sit 15 minutes before cooking.