How Long to Bake Medium Shrimp at 400°F for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time

Shrimp is a quick and easy weeknight dinner staple. When prepared properly, shrimp bake into tender, juicy morsels in minutes. But getting the bake time just right can be tricky. Undercook shrimp and they are gummy and flavorless. Overcook them and you end up with rubbery, chewy shrimp. So how long should you bake medium shrimp at 400°F for perfect results?

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to bake medium shrimp like a pro, including:

• The benefits of baking vs other cooking methods
• How shrimp size affects baking time
• Key considerations for frozen vs fresh shrimp
• The best tools and pans for baking shrimp
• Step-by-step baking instructions
• Exact bake times for medium shrimp at 400°F
• How to tell when shrimp is cooked properly
• Delicious seasoning ideas and serving suggestions

Follow these tips and you will never serve overcooked shrimp again!

Why Bake Shrimp?

Baking is hands down the easiest, most foolproof way to cook shrimp. Here’s why it beats other cooking methods

• Even cooking – The hot air surrounds and cooks the shrimp evenly, unlike pan frying where one side overcooks.

• Perfect texture – Shrimp bake up tender and moist without getting rubbery like when boiled or grilled.

• Infuses flavors – Baking allows shrimp to absorb spices, herbs and marinades thoroughly.

• Easy – Just toss shrimp with oil and seasoning and pop into the oven. Minimal prep and cleanup.

• Versatile – Bake plain, breaded, sauced or skewer for easy meal options.

For the juiciest, most flavorful shrimp with no fuss, baking cannot be beat. Now let’s look at how shrimp size impacts cooking times.

Shrimp Size Matters

Shrimp are sold by “count”, which is the number of shrimp per pound. The smaller the count, the bigger the shrimp:

• Colossal: under 10 per pound
• Extra Jumbo: 11-15 per pound
• Jumbo: 16-20 per pound
• Extra Large: 21-25 per pound
• Large: 26-30 per pound
• Medium: 31-40 per pound

Since medium shrimp are smaller, they cook faster than jumbo or extra large shrimp. This quick cooking time makes getting the bake time just right crucial.

To Thaw or Not to Thaw

For best flavor and texture, raw fresh shrimp are ideal. But frozen shrimp can work in baked dishes too if handled properly:

• Thaw first – Thawing ensures shrimp bake evenly. Bake time stays consistent.

• Pat dry – Dab off excess moisture from thawed shrimp before baking so they don’t steam.

• Don’t crowd – Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet so they cook through.

• Add bake time – Increase bake time 1-2 minutes for frozen shrimp to account for chilled start.

Follow these tips and frozen shrimp will bake up deliciously!

Baker’s Tools for Perfect Baked Shrimp

You don’t need fancy tools to bake shrimp like a pro. Here are the basic supplies:

• Rimmed baking sheet – Provides lots of surface area for even cooking.

• Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and eases cleanup.

• Oil spray – For a light coating of oil to promote browning without sogginess.

• Instant read thermometer – Takes the guesswork out of doneness (145°F is ideal).

• Tongs – Makes transferring cooked shrimp to serving dish fast and easy.

With these simple items, you are ready to bake!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Shrimp

Follow these easy steps for baked medium shrimp that come out perfect every time:

1. Prep shrimp – Thaw, peel, and pat dry medium shrimp.

2. Coat with oil – Mist shrimp lightly with oil spray or toss with 1 tbsp oil.

3. Season – Sprinkle with desired spices, herbs, salt, pepper.

4. Arrange – Place shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 400°F – Cook for 6-8 minutes until shrimp reach 145°F internally.

6. Check often – Peek at 5 minutes to monitor doneness and prevent overbaking.

7. Serve and enjoy – Toss with extra seasoning if desired and serve warm.

It’s that easy to bake juicy medium shrimp in minutes!

Exact Bake Times for Medium Shrimp

So how long exactly should you bake medium shrimp at 400°F? Here are the fail-proof bake times:

• Fresh medium shrimp – 6-8 minutes
• Frozen medium shrimp – 8-10 minutes
• Breaded medium shrimp – 9-11 minutes
• Skewered medium shrimp – 8-10 minutes

Check shrimp at 5 minutes when baking to gauge doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

These times ensure tender, juicy shrimp every time. Adjust bake times up or down slightly if your shrimp is smaller or larger.

Is My Shrimp Done?

With such quick bake times, it’s easy to over or undercook shrimp. Follow these visual cues to know when they are perfectly baked:

• Opaque – Shrimp should be solid pink/white with no translucence.

• Lightly browned – Look for a touch of golden browning in spots.

• Curls slightly – Shrimp curl into a loose “C” shape when finished baking.

• Flakes easily – Shrimp meat should separate cleanly and flake with a fork.

• Moist – Baked shrimp should never be dry or rubbery.

Use these tips to identify when your medium shrimp are baked to tender perfection.

Delicious Ways to Season and Serve Baked Shrimp

A simple sprinkle of salt, pepper, and lemon does the trick, but here are some tasty ways to jazz up baked medium shrimp:

• Old Bay Shrimp – Toss shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay, and lemon.

• Garlic Herb Shrimp – Coat shrimp in melted butter with garlic, parsley, paprika, and parmesan.

• Honey Sriracha Shrimp – Mix sriracha, honey, soy sauce, oil and coat shrimp.

• Cajun Shrimp – Season shrimp with Cajun spice mix before baking.

• Shrimp Fajitas – Bake shrimp with bell peppers and onion. Stuff in tortillas.

• Shrimp Tacos – Top baked shrimp with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and cilantro sauce.

The options are endless! Use these bake time guidelines and you’ll have tender, flavorful baked medium shrimp on the table in no time.