Find out how to boil shrimp to make shrimp cocktail, party snacks, and more! This simple cooking method is almost foolproof and fun to change up.
If you don’t want your shrimp to turn into rubber, read this guide on How to Boil Shrimp. It’s a quick, easy, and foolproof method. The flavors are fun to play with, too!.
It’s as easy as it sounds: the shrimp are cooked in a pot of boiling water with aromatics that add flavor. When they turn pink, they are moved to an ice bath.
After that, the shrimp can be dipped in tangy remoulade sauce, seafood boil sauce, or cocktail sauce, put on top of shrimp sushi bowls, or used anywhere you want a tasty and healthy protein.
Did I also say it’s done in less than 10 minutes? One of the great things about boiled shrimp is how quickly it cooks. You’ll never want to go back to grilled or pan fried again!.
Think of boiled shrimp as a blank canvas. You can incorporate all kinds of flavors using herbs, spices, and aromatics. If you’re just getting started, stick to these easy ingredients:
Cooking colossal shrimp can seem intimidating. Their jumbo size means they need extra time to cook through while still maintaining a tender juicy texture. Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to boil colossal shrimp so they turn out plump pink and delicious every time.
What are Colossal Shrimp?
Colossal shrimp, also called jumbo or super jumbo, are the largest commonly available shrimp size. They range from 12-15 shrimp per pound. These shrimp have a meaty texture and mild sweet flavor that makes them ideal for shrimp cocktail, grilling, steaming, sautéing, and more.
Some key facts about colossal shrimp
- Weight Range: 16-20g per shrimp
- Average Size: 4-5 inches long
- Shell-On or Peeled: Available both ways
- Farm Raised: Typically farm raised in enclosed ponds
- Premium Price: Cost more per pound than smaller shrimp
Their impressive size and tender bite make colossal shrimp a special treat perfect for indulgent seafood dishes.
Benefits of Boiling Jumbo Shrimp
Boiling is one of the easiest, foolproof cooking methods for shrimp of any size. Here are some of the top reasons to choose boiling for cooking colossal shrimp:
- Quick cooking time
- Minimal preparation needed
- Allows seasoning shrimp directly in the boiling water
- Promotes plump, juicy texture
- Easy to monitor doneness based on color change
- Simple cleanup with just 1 pot needed
The key is boiling the colossal shrimp just long enough to cook through without becoming rubbery.
How Long Should You Boil Colossal Shrimp?
Colossal shrimp have a thicker muscle structure than smaller shrimp sizes. This extra thickness means they require additional boiling time to cook through fully.
Here are boiling times based on whether colossal shrimp are raw or frozen:
- Raw colossal shrimp – Boil for 5-6 minutes
- Frozen colossal shrimp – Boil for 6-8 minutes
These times are for shrimp boiled in generously salted water at a full rolling boil. The boiling time may need to be increased by 1-2 minutes if using lower temperature water.
Always boil shrimp in a single layer if possible with at least 1 quart of water per 1/2 pound of shrimp. Overcrowding the pot can impede boiling and result in uneven cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide for Boiling Colossal Shrimp
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked boiled colossal shrimp every time:
1. Prepare the Colossal Shrimp
Rinse raw shrimp under cold water and pat dry. Remove shells and devein if desired. Leave tails intact for presentation if you like. Thaw frozen shrimp before boiling.
2. Bring Water to a Boil
Fill a large pot with salted water (1 Tbsp salt per quart of water). Use at least 1 quart of water per 1/2 pound of shrimp. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
3. Add Shrimp and Boil
Once boiling, carefully add shrimp to pot in a single layer if possible. Boil raw shrimp for 5-6 minutes or frozen shrimp for 6-8 minutes.
4. Check Doneness
Shrimp will turn pink and opaque when fully cooked. Verify doneness by cutting into thickest part of a shrimp. It should be opaque throughout.
5. Drain and Shock in Ice Bath
Once cooked, immediately drain shrimp into a colander and shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
6. Pat Dry and Serve
Drain shrimp from ice bath after chilled, then pat dry with paper towels. Shrimp are now ready to serve!
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Colossal Shrimp
Here are some top tips to ensure your boiled colossal shrimp come out plump and tender:
- Use very fresh raw shrimp and avoid overcooked frozen shrimp
- Chili garlic sauce or Cajun seasoning in the boiling water adds bold flavor
- Don’t boil too many shrimp at once in the pot
- Test doneness early and boil longer if needed
- Shock immediately in an ice bath as soon as shrimp are cooked
- Pat shrimp very dry before saucing or cooking further
Taking these extra steps will help your colossal shrimp boast the ideal texture.
Serving Ideas for Boiled Colossal Shrimp
Colossal shrimp make such an impressive presentation, ideal for serving guests and at parties. Here are some delicious ways to serve boiled jumbo shrimp:
- Chilled shrimp cocktail with lemon and cocktail sauce for dipping
- Piled high on platters with remoulade, aioli or tangy barbecue sauce for dipping
- Nested on beds of crunchy lettuce or cucumbers for shrimp salads
- Rolled in flour and quick fried for shrimp po’ boys sandwiches
- Scattered on top of seafood pasta dishes like linguine with clam sauce
- Skewered and quickly grilled with peppers and pineapple
- Sautéd with garlic, herbs and white wine for easy shrimp scampi
However you choose to serve them, perfectly cooked boiled colossal shrimp are sure to be a major highlight at any meal.
Extra Large Vs. Colossal Shrimp
Colossal shrimp are the largest commonly available shrimp size, but extra large shrimp are the next size down. Here’s how they compare:
- Extra Large – 16-20 shrimp per pound
- Colossal – 12-15 shrimp per pound
So colossal shrimp are approximately 30% bigger than extra large shrimp in terms of per pound count.
This size difference means slight variations in boiling times are needed:
- Extra large raw shrimp – Boil for 4-5 minutes
- Colossal raw shrimp – Boil for 5-6 minutes
So while extra large shrimp still need a good amount of time to boil through, colossal shrimp need about 1 minute more due to their thicker muscle structure. Adjust boiling times as needed if shrimp are frozen.
Common Questions About Boiling Colossal Shrimp
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about boiling colossal shrimp:
How long to boil frozen colossal shrimp?
Frozen colossal shrimp need 6-8 minutes to boil fully with the extra time accounting for their frozen state.
Should you devein colossal shrimp before boiling?
Yes, it’s best to remove the vein from colossal shrimp prior to boiling for better flavor and texture.
Is it better to boil shrimp with shells on or off?
This is personal preference – shells can protect shrimp moisture during boiling but peeled is easier to eat.
Can you overcook colossal shrimp when boiling?
Yes, boiling too long can make the shrimp rubbery. Test doneness early and boil in small batches.
Should colossal shrimp float when done boiling?
Not necessarily – floating doesn’t guarantee doneness. Shrimp color and internal temperature are better indicators.
How do you keep colossal shrimp juicy after boiling?
Shock in an ice bath immediately after boiling, then pat very dry before sautéing or grilling.
Get Plump, Juicy Colossal Shrimp Every Time
Now there’s no need to be intimidated about cooking colossal shrimp. Follow this handy guide to learn exactly how long to boil these jumbo shrimp for tender, mouthwatering results.
In just 5-8 minutes, you’ll have impressively large shrimp ready to shine in shrimp cocktails, seafood pasta, salads, and many more delicious dishes.
How to boil shrimp
Bring a large pot of water up to a boil on the stove. Once it starts to boil, add the lemon halves and salt, then the shrimp.
While you wait, fill a bowl with cold water and ice.
Cook the shrimp until they turn from gray to pink. When they’re done, immediately transfer them to the ice bath to cool.
Remove the shrimp from the ice bath when completely cool and pat them dry. Serve them with cocktail sauce for dipping or anywhere else you love to eat shrimp!.
How long you boil the shrimp will depend on how big they are, but it shouldn’t take more than 8 minutes. The large shrimp I used here only took 2 to 3 minutes to cook.
When the shrimp go from being gray and see-through to a light pink color, they are done and can be moved to the ice bath. Here’s my full post on how to tell when shrimp are done.
Yes, this recipe works just as well with frozen shrimp. To thaw them first, put the bag of frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water or put them in the fridge overnight.
What should you do with your boiled shrimp? The best thing to do is make shrimp cocktail! Serve the big boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce or any of these tasty dipping sauces:
Tip: Make your shrimp a meal by serving them with any of these 30+ Sides for Boiled Shrimp.
More ways to serve boiled shrimp
- Any shrimp that is left over can be kept in the fridge for one to two days in a shallow, airtight container.
- Chardonnay tastes like butter and citrus, which go really well with shrimp.
- Sauv Blanc has bright citrus and herbal notes that go well with the shrimp that has lemon juice squeezed over it.
- With their acidic and mineral notes, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc go well together.
- For something unexpected, and budget friendly, try a Vinho Verde.
