Even before you think about how sick you could get from cooking animal protein, it’s scary enough. But seafood, in particular, may seem tough to get right. While no one wants overcooked shrimp, getting sick with food poisoning would be even worse. But as long as you know what to look for and how to tell if the shrimp are done, you should not have any problems making tasty dishes with them.
Shrimp can be cooked in so many different ways. It can be used to make a lot of different dishes, from shrimp scampi to shrimp cocktail to grilled shrimp skewers. You should not be afraid to make delicious meals with shrimp now that you know how to tell if shrimp is undercooked no matter what method you use. These ways of telling if shrimp are done will work even if they are covered in barbecue sauce or baking in a dark oven.
Shrimp is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be prepared in endless ways. However, its quick cooking time means it’s easy to overcook into an unappealing rubbery texture. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick using the shrimp’s shape to tell when it’s perfectly cooked. Keep reading to learn this easy technique for flawless shrimp every time!
Pay Attention to Shrimp Shape
The key indicator of doneness for shrimp is its shape. As shrimp cooks the proteins constrict and the flesh curls and shrinks. When it’s perfectly cooked, it will form a curled “C” shape. Once overcooked the shrimp over-tightens into more of an “O” shape and becomes chewy and undesirable.
So remember
- C = Cooked
- O = Overcooked
It’s an easy visual test you can use for any shrimp recipe to avoid overcooking,
Know What to Look For
When checking your shrimp, look for these signs it’s ready:
- Opaque and pinkish-white color
- Curls into a tight C shape
- Flesh is plump and firm but not rubbery
Discard any shrimp that remains straight or has an O shape. This indicates overcooking beyond the ideal tenderness.
The C-shape test works for all shrimp regardless of size, grade or whether it was frozen or fresh. Just be sure to start testing for doneness at the minimum cook time and adapt cooking times accordingly.
Useful Tips to Prevent Overcooking
Follow these tips for perfect texture:
- Don’t overcrowd. Cook shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook in batches to prevent uneven cooking.
- Pull shrimp out of heat just before done to account for carryover cooking.
- Watch closely as shrimp cooks quickly, often just 1-2 minutes per side.
- Use a meat thermometer for an added test – shrimp is done at 145°F.
Also avoid prolonged simmering, which can make shrimp tough.
How To Tell When Boiled Shrimp Is Done
Boiling makes shrimp flavorful and tender. Check doneness after 1-3 minutes:
- Scoop out a test shrimp when the minimum cook time is reached.
- It should curl into a C shape when done. If not, continue cooking and testing every 30 seconds.
- When the sample shrimp is perfectly cooked, immediately transfer the batch to an ice bath. This stops carryover cooking.
The broth may make it tricky to see the color change. So rely on the shrimp’s shape as your visual cue.
How To Tell When Grilled Shrimp Is Done
The high heat of grilling cooks shrimp very fast. Follow these tips:
- Grill shrimp 2-3 minutes per side. The time varies based on size.
- Shrimp will turn pink/white on each side as it cooks.
- Start checking for C shape after 2 minutes.
- Remove immediately once shrimp forms a C to prevent overcooking.
Grilling gives incredible smoky flavor. Just be sure not to overdo it.
How To Tell When Sautéed Shrimp Is Done
Pan-searing adds delicious caramelized flavors. Here’s how to nail perfect doneness:
- Use high heat to brown shrimp 1-2 minutes per side.
- Look for opaque color and tight C shape.
- Take shrimp off heat as soon as it curls into a C before overtightening.
Buttery garlic shrimp is a quick, easy weeknight meal. This technique prevents overcooking.
How To Tell If Shrimp Is Done Baking
Baking brings out shrimp’s sweetness. Follow these guidelines:
- Bake at 400°F for 4-8 minutes depending on size.
- Check often once minimum cook time is reached.
- It’s done when shrimp is pinkish and curled in a C shape.
Baking locks in moisture when properly cooked. Just watch closely to prevent drying out.
How To Tell If Frozen Shrimp Is Done
You can cook shrimp frozen, but it takes a bit longer:
- Increase cook time by 1-3 minutes to allow for thawing.
- Check early and often for doneness cues like opaque color and tight C curl.
- Cook in a single layer and flip halfway for even cooking.
Frozen shrimp may release extra moisture as it thaws and cooks. But the C-shape cue still applies.
Common Shrimp Cooking Questions
How do you know when shrimp is overcooked?
Overcooked shrimp turns opaque and white but overtightens into an O shape. It becomes chewy, rubbery and lacks the tender plumpness of properly cooked shrimp.
What color is shrimp when cooked?
Properly cooked shrimp changes color from translucent gray to pinkish-white or opaque when done. Spotting this color change is a useful doneness indicator.
What temperature should shrimp be cooked to?
Cook shrimp to an internal temperature of 145°F to ensure food safety and proper doneness. Use a thermometer for added assurance if unsure of visual cues.
Can you eat undercooked shrimp?
It’s not recommended to eat raw or undercooked shrimp due to food safety concerns. Shrimp should reach 145°F internally and show visual signs of doneness for best quality and food safety.
Does shrimp continue cooking after removed from heat?
Yes, shrimp will continue cooking after removed from the heat source due to carryover cooking. That’s why it’s important to pull it just before it reaches 145°F and perfect C-shape doneness.
So remember to let the shrimp’s shape guide you for perfect results every time. With this easy C-shape doneness technique, you’ll never have to worry about over or undercooked shrimp again.
Look at the color of the shrimp
One of the easiest and most common ways to tell if your shrimp is undercooked is to look at the color of it, according to Substitute Cooking. But you might need to really get a good look at raw shrimp first to notice the big change its appearance undergoes as it cooks. When shrimp is raw, it tends to look quite gray in color and even a bit translucent. However, after shrimp has been cooked, it should do a 180-degree turn and be white with pops of pink or red. You also shouldnt be able to see into the shrimp anymore.
Most likely, your shrimp are not done cooking if they still have a hint of gray or are see-through. Wait until the shrimp have a nice even color and no translucency before taking them up. And dont forget to check all sides of the shrimp.
Evaluate the shape of the shrimp
There is another characteristic of cooked shrimp that you can eyeball. Just like looking at the color of the shrimp, you can take note of the shape of the shrimp, according to Substitute Cooking. But you will, again, need to really get a good mental of raw shrimp to compare to the state of being cooked your shrimp are in when you check them. Gray, raw shrimp tend to be quite flexible without their shells. They also appear to be longer because the shrimp lie straighter than when they are fully cooked.
Shrimp that are undercooked will likely still be somewhat straight or have a very slight curve. As Substitute Cooking explains, those that are so tightly wound that they look like the letter “O” are overcooked. The sweet spot is getting a good curl on the shrimp to form something similar to the letter “C.” Thats because the muscle in shrimp shrinks as it cooks, according to Yummly. So, the more cooked your shrimp are, the tighter the curl will be. Therefore, shrimp that are only slightly curled and look somewhat like the letter “U” are most likely undercooked and need a bit more time.