Growing up in South Louisiana means I’ve consumed a lot shrimp in my life. I never seem to get tired of eating them. There are many ways to cook shrimp, but this post will only talk about how to boil them. If you are curious about all the other ways just watch Forrest Gump !.
Boiled shrimp is a great way to add seafood to your normal recipes. You can put it in a salad you already like or add it to fried rice near the end of cooking. The possibilities are endless. After following these steps and making sure you use fresh shrimp, boiling shrimp won’t be hard at all.
Getting the Perfect Texture How Long to Soak Shrimp After Boiling
Boiling shrimp is a classic cooking method that results in tender, juicy shrimp, but the soaking time after boiling is crucial. Under-soak and the shrimp will be overcooked. Over-soak and they’ll be soggy. So how long should you soak shrimp after boiling to achieve the ideal texture? After testing different soaking times, I’ve nailed down the perfect post-boil soaking technique.
When boiling shrimp, it’s key to watch closely rather than relying on a timer Check for visual cues like the shells beginning to separate from the meat Once the shrimp are cooked through, immediately turn off the heat and transfer them to an ice bath. This shocks them to stop the cooking process.
After boiling and shocking, the soaking step allows the shrimp to gently finish cooking while absorbing all the seasonings from the boiling liquid.
The soaking time depends on the size of the shrimp:
- Small shrimp (36-45 per pound): Soak 3-5 minutes
- Medium shrimp (26-35 per pound): Soak 5-7 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp (16-25 per pound): Soak 7-10 minutes
I like to soak for the minimum recommended time, then check a shrimp. If the texture is too firm, I soak a bit longer until the shrimp have a supple, silky texture. But don’t over-soak or they’ll be mushy.
Besides soaking time, temperature also matters. For best results, soak shrimp in their cooking liquid rather than running them under cool water. The seasoned liquid allows them to gently finish cooking.
Before serving, drain any excess liquid from the shrimp. Enjoy them chilled, at room temperature, or gently reheat in broth or seasoned butter. Well-soaked boiled shrimp make fantastic shrimp cocktails, salads, pasta dishes, and more.
With the right post-boil soaking time, you’ll have tender, juicy shrimp infused with seasoning. So next time you boil shrimp, remember: watch for visual doneness cues, shock in ice water, then soak 3-10 minutes depending on size. Your shrimp will have that perfect silky, savory texture.
Soaking shrimp after boiling is worth the short wait. Follow my tips for soaking success and you’ll never have to contend with over or under-soaked shrimp again!
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How To: Perfectly Boil Shrimp
