Steaming Shrimp to Perfection in Your Rice Cooker

As a busy home cook who loves whipping up quick healthy meals I rely heavily on my trusty rice cooker. It makes perfect rice and grains with the press of a button. But lately I’ve been wondering – can I use my handy rice cooker for more than just rice? Specifically, is it possible to steam shrimp in a rice cooker for a fast, fuss-free seafood dinner?

I did some experimenting to test this out. And I’m happy to report that yes, you absolutely can steam delicious, tender shrimp in a rice cooker! It just takes a few simple tips and tricks to get it right.

In this article, I’ll share everything I learned about using a rice cooker to make foolproof steamed shrimp From cook times to flavor boosts to serving suggestions, consider this your complete guide to unlocking the versatile shrimp-steaming potential of your rice cooker Get ready for juicy, flavor-packed shrimp on the dinner table fast.

Why a Rice Cooker is Great for Steaming Shrimp

Turns out a rice cooker is actually the ideal tool for steaming shrimp. The enclosed environment allows the shrimp to gently cook in the steam without drying out. Rice cookers are designed to heat up gradually and maintain a constant temperature. This prevents overcooking.

The rice cooker also frees you up to prep side dishes or relax while it does the work. You don’t have to hover over a stove worrying about timing. Just set it and (mostly) forget it for tender shrimp ready precisely when you need it.

Using your existing rice cooker means no need for extra equipment like a steamer basket or bamboo mat. And cleanup is a breeze since it all happens in the removable rice cooker pot. Steaming shrimp in your rice cooker opens up a whole new world of quick and healthy meal possibilities.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Steaming shrimp in a rice cooker is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Prep shrimp by peeling, deveining, and washing. Leave tails on for presentation if desired.

2. Add 1-2 cups water to rice cooker pot. The amount depends on size of your cooker.

3. Place shrimp in a single layer on a plate or shallow bowl.

4. Put plate or bowl inside rice cooker. Make sure it’s not touching the water.

5. Close rice cooker lid and turn on. Cook for 5-7 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.

6. Carefully remove shrimp with tongs or spoon. Serve immediately.

It’s that easy! In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have delicately steamed shrimp ready to enjoy.

Pro tip: For added flavor, put lemon slices or herbs in the water. Their essence will permeate the shrimp as they steam.

Benefits of Steamed Shrimp from a Rice Cooker

Steaming shrimp in a rice cooker has many advantages:

• Ensures tender, juicy shrimp that doesn’t get overcooked or rubbery
• Allows the sweet, briny flavor of the shrimp to shine through
• Preserves nutrients better than other cooking methods
• Minimal cleanup since it’s all contained in the removable pot
• Frees up stove space for cooking other parts of the meal

Steaming also requires no oil or butter, making it one of the healthier ways to prepare shrimp. Your rice cooker can transform shrimp into a quick, delicious dinner the whole family will love.

Infusing Flavor

Plain steamed shrimp is tasty, but you can really take it up a notch with some added flavor. Here are easy ways to infuse more taste into your rice cooker shrimp:

• Marinate shrimp first in sauce, spices, or herbs
• Add garlic, citrus slices, or ginger to the steaming water
• Sprinkle spices like Old Bay, paprika, or chili powder onto the shrimp
• Toss cooked shrimp in a dressing, sauce, or spice mix

Get creative with the flavors! Thai chili sauce, lemon-butter sauce, Cajun seasoning, teriyaki marinade, or Italian dressing would all be amazing complements to steamed shrimp.

Serving Suggestions

Your perfectly steamed shrimp can be served in lots of ways:

• Over rice or cauliflower rice
• Mixed into salad or pasta
• Added to soups or stir fries
• On skewers as an appetizer
• In tacos, burritos, or fajitas
• Layered into sandwiches or wraps
• On top of pizza or nachos

For easy meals, I love pairing steamed shrimp with veggie sides like simple seared asparagus or roasted broccoli right out of the oven. A squeeze of lemon brings the whole dish together.

You could also use the steamed shrimp in more complex recipes like shrimp scampi pasta or shrimp tacos with all the fixings. Get creative with your meals!

Maintaining Your Rice Cooker

It’s important to clean your rice cooker thoroughly after using it to steam shrimp. Give it a good wash with dish soap and hot water, removing any food bits or residue.

To prevent odors, you may want to occasionally deep clean the cooker by filling it with water and vinegar and running a cook cycle to sterilize it. Always dry the insert well before storing to prevent mildew.

By properly caring for your versatile rice cooker, you’ll keep it in top shape for steaming many more batches of tasty shrimp!

The Verdict? Shrimp + Rice Cooker = Success

After multiple tests, I can confidently say that steaming shrimp in a rice cooker is not only possible, but actually pretty great! The rice cooker creates perfectly cooked shrimp that never gets mushy or overdone.

It requires minimal hands-on time so I can focus on other parts of the meal. Cleanup is easy with just the removable pot to wash. And I love how the rice cooker frees up burner space on my crowded stovetop.

With just a simple press of a button, I can now have restaurant-quality shrimp ready in minutes. I’ll definitely be steaming shrimp in my rice cooker regularly from now on! It’s a technique I highly recommend all home cooks try out.