How to Cook Boiled Shrimp: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

• 1 lb fresh, wild shrimp
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 to 4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, or to taste
• Ice-water
• 1 lemon, sliced in half, for garnish

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1. 

   1

   Bring a large pot of water to just to a boil. You want enough water to comfortably hold all the shrimp. There should be about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1cm) more water than there is shrimp.

   • To the water, add:
     • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
     • Pinch of salt
     • Seasoning. Zatarain's Shrimp Boil seasonings may be used, or Old Bay seasoning, or a combination of both. Either use a small box of Zatarain's, 3 to 4 tablespoons of Old Bay, or a box of Zatarain's with 1 tablespoon (14.8ml) of Old Bay.
2. 

   2

   Boil the water for a few minutes to season well. This helps turn the water into more of a broth or brine, which you'll then sink the shrimp into.

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3. 

   3

   Drop the fresh shrimp into the water. Most chefs agree that cooking the shrimp with the heads and shells on, while annoying to peel, makes the shrimp tastier and more flavorful.^[1][2] If desired, de-vein the shrimp before you place them in the pot to cook.

4. 

   4

   Boil the shrimp until a few start floating on top of the water. There is no set time for boiling shrimp, but smaller shrimp (50+ per pound) will take around 2 to 3 minutes, while larger shrimp (~30 per pound) will take around 5 to 7 minutes. This is only a guideline however.

   • If you feel like you want to check for doneness, shrimp is cooked when the thickest part of the flesh is opaque.
   • Take care not to overcook the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery. Remove the shrimp from the heat as soon as a few begin popping up to the top of the water.

   See Also

   Ultimate Crab Boil Recipe - Food.comWhy do we add vinegar when we are poaching an egg? | Te Wāhanga Pūtaiao / Faculty of Science | Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of WellingtonPerfect Boiled Shrimp — InsideOut YogaThis Step-by-Step Tutorial Answers All Your Questions About How to Peel & Devein Shrimp
5. 

   5

   Drain the shrimp in a colander and shock immediately in an ice-bath. Just submerge the colander in the ice bath and take out immediately. This will more or less stop the shrimp from overcooking.

6. 

   6

   Drain all water from shrimp, set on platter, and garnish with a half of a lemon. Enjoy!

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Community Q&A

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• Do not overcook the shrimp it makes them tough with no flavor.

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• Garlic cloves 2-4 and / or 1-2 Onion's can be added to the boil to kick it up a notch or two.

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• Old shrimp or frozen shrimp do not peel well.

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• Be careful of the boiling water

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Co-authors: 21

Updated: May 26, 2024

Views:811,058

Categories: Prawns and Shrimp

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