I really enjoy Peel and Eat Shrimp. It’s one of my favorite starters by the beach. And it’s one of the easiest appetizers I make at home for friends and family.
There’s something magical about shrimp, and when you say “shrimp for dinner,” everyone gets excited. And Peel and Eat Shrimp is a great way to impress your family and friends.
They will be a hit whether you serve them hot or cold, and they’ll probably be better than the ones you get at your favorite bar or restaurant.
As a lifelong seafood lover and amateur chef, peel and eat shrimp is one of my all-time favorite appetizers. There’s just something irresistible about diving into a pile of deliciously seasoned shrimp, peeling off the shells, and devouring the sweet meat inside.
Through plenty of practice, I’ve honed my techniques for making restaurant-quality peel and eat shrimp at home. The key is starting with high-quality shrimp and cooking them in a flavorful poaching liquid.
In this article, I’ll share my step-by-step method for preparing tender, juicy peel and eat shrimp guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Let’s get cracking!
Gather the Right Ingredients
To make peel and eat shrimp worthy of your favorite seafood restaurant, you’ll need:
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Shrimp Go for fresh wild-caught Gulf shrimp if possible Opt for medium 21-25 or 26-30 count per pound Don’t use tiny shrimp – the peeling isn’t worth the effort.
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Beer: Use a light beer like lager or pilsner. The subtle malty notes enhance the shrimp flavor.
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Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning is ideal for boil seasoning. Pickle spice also adds nice flavor.
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Lemon: Squeezed lemon juice gives brightness. Toss in halves to cook with the shrimp.
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Cocktail Sauce Ketchup horseradish chili sauce, Worcestershire, and lemon make a zesty dip.
Prep the Poaching Liquid
The key to juicy peel and eat shrimp is poaching them in a flavorful liquid. Here’s how:
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Add beer, seasonings, and lemon juice to water in a pot. Bring to a boil.
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The beer, Old Bay, and pickle spice infuse the shrimp with flavor as they cook.
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The lemon juice helps lock in moisture so the shrimp come out plump and tender.
Cook the Shrimp Perfectly
Poaching is the ideal cooking method for peel and eat shrimp. Follow these steps:
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Once the poaching liquid boils, add the shrimp. Cook for 2-4 minutes depending on size.
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When cooked, the shells turn bright pink/orange and the shrimp feel firm yet springy.
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Drain immediately after cooking. Run under cool water to stop carryover cooking.
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Toss with more Old Bay to coat. Serve shrimp warm or chilled over ice.
Make Incredible Cocktail Sauce
No peel and eat shrimp is complete without zesty cocktail sauce for dipping.
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In a bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, chili sauce, Worcestershire, and lemon juice.
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Adjust horseradish amount to your desired spice level. Chill sauce until serving.
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The chili sauce adds a tangy kick different from regular cocktail sauce.
Handy Tips for Peel and Eat Shrimp Success
Here are some extra pointers I’ve picked up over the years:
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Use a shallow pot so shrimp cook evenly. Don’t crowd the pot.
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Freeze raw shrimp with shells on for better texture when thawed.
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Snip away sharp points on shells to prevent mouth cuts.
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Soak wooden skewers before threading shrimp on them.
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Serve with lemon wedges, butter, and hot sauce for dipping.
My Go-To Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe
Ready to make my homemade peel and eat shrimp for your next gathering? Here’s an easy recipe outline:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb medium wild-caught shrimp, shells on
- 12 oz light beer
- 2 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning, divided
- 1 Tbsp pickling spice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Cocktail sauce ingredients
Instructions:
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Combine beer, 1 Tbsp Old Bay, pickling spice, and lemon juice in pot. Boil.
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Add shrimp and cook 2-4 minutes until shells turn pink/orange.
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Drain, rinse under cool water. Toss with remaining Old Bay.
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Serve warm or chilled with homemade cocktail sauce. Enjoy!
Satisfy Your Shrimp Cravings at Home
I hope these tips help you make tender, flavorful peel and eat shrimp to impress your guests. With the right ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can satisfy your shrimp appetizer cravings at home for a fraction of restaurant prices.
How do I make Old Bay Seasoning?
You can make your own Old Bay Seasoning if you live somewhere that doesn’t have it. It won’t be as good as the original, but you can still enjoy the seasoning that most people on the East Coast love, even on french fries.
- 1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground mace
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
Mix all the seasonings well (pulsing a few times in a food processor if possible). Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
That’s really all there is to making your own restaurant-style peel and eat shrimp.
You’ll also need to make your own cocktail sauce if you want to make famous peel and eat shrimp. And the secret is the Heinz Chili Sauce….
What Ingredients do I need to make Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Skillet Chicken Gumbo. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Getting your ingredients ready ahead of time not only speeds up the cooking process, but it also makes sure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Peel & Eat Shrimp – Michy’s Munchies
How do you peel and eat shrimp?
The right cooking liquid makes all the difference when it comes to creating perfectly delicious peel and eat shrimp. Add the seasonings, lemon and beer to the water. Bring the liquid to a boil and add the shrimp. Drain the shrimp in a colander, discard the lemons. But if you’d rather have just okay shrimp by all means, just use plain water.
Can I eat raw shrimp?
Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.
Can you eat Peel & eat boiled shrimp?
Simmered in beer and Old Bay, these Maryland-style peel n’ eat boiled shrimp are easy to make and fun to eat. One of my family’s favorite summer pastimes is eating at ramshackle seafood shacks, where we sit around brown paper-covered picnic tables and feast on peel-and-eat boiled shrimp.
Where can I buy Peel & eat shrimp?
Because we’re making peel-and-eat shrimp, you’ll definitely want to buy shrimp with the shell on. You can often find these sold by the pound in the freezer (typically near the seafood counter) or for sale at the counter itself. Peeled shrimp are better used for shrimp cocktail or other recipes.