Preparing a pot of Easy Boiled Shrimp is a cinch with just a few ingredients from your pantry. No need for a bottled liquid crab boil or a boxed seasoning bag. You only need seasonings, lemons, raw shrimp, and a large pot of boiling water. Then youll be eating tender shrimp in minutes!.
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We recently had friends over for a weekend where we “passed a good time”. We ate way too much, and by Sunday afternoon, we were already planning what to eat for dinner. Nothing sounded satisfying, yet we knew wed be hungry again before the sunset.
I thought about the gulf shrimp I had in the freezer and said, “Let’s boil some shrimp! Then everyone can eat it however they want!”
Some of us ate the shrimp in a Shrimp Salad, while others had them with leftovers from the night before. It was an easy meal, tasty, light, and satisfying. Adding this tasty home-made Remoulade Sauce to boiled shrimp is one of my favorite ways to eat them. Its a classic Louisiana dressing thats easy to prepare and a delightful condiment for Cajun shrimp flavor. I like this recipe so much better than any bottled remoulade sauce![feast_advanced_jump_to].
Cooking shrimp can sometimes seem intimidating. But boiling shrimp is actually one of the easiest cooking methods and results in plump, tender, and delicious shrimp perfect for shrimp cocktails, salads, pasta dishes, and more. Here’s a simple, foolproof guide to boiling shrimp successfully.
Why Boil Shrimp?
Boiling is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook shrimp. It takes just a couple minutes to boil shrimp until perfectly cooked. The main advantage of boiling over other cooking methods like grilling or sautéing is that the shrimp come out exceptionally tender and moist. The gentle cooking of boiling in liquid helps ensure the shrimp flesh stays succulent. Boiled shrimp also hold up well at room temperature, making them ideal for shrimp cocktails and platters.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect boiled shrimp every time
1. Prepare the Pot
Fill a large pot about halfway with water and bring to a rapid boil over high heat. Adding a tablespoon of salt helps season the shrimp You can also add lemon, herbs or other seasonings to the water for extra flavor.
2. Add the Shrimp
Once the water reaches a boil, add the raw shrimp and stir briefly to prevent sticking. For best results, use shelled and deveined shrimp. Leaving the tails on results in a nice presentation.
3. Cook the Shrimp
Cook the shrimp for just 1-2 minutes, depending on size. Medium shrimp take about 1 minute, large around 1 1/2 minutes, and jumbo up to 2 minutes. Shrimp are cooked when their flesh turns opaque and pink. Do not overcook, as shrimp can become rubbery.
4. Shock in Ice Water
As soon as the shrimp are cooked, use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. This ice water bath stops the cooking process so they don’t overcook.
5. Peel and Serve
Drain the boiled shrimp. If you used shell-on shrimp, peel them now. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, lemon juice or cocktail sauce and enjoy!
Shrimp Size and Cook Times
Cook times vary slightly based on the size of the shrimp:
- Small shrimp: 1 minute
- Medium shrimp: 1 minute
- Large shrimp: 1 1/2 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp: 2 minutes
For a foolproof doneness test, slice into a shrimp to check when the flesh is opaque and cooked through It’s easy to slightly under or overcook shrimp, so staying vigilant to cook times is key
Tips for Perfectly Boiled Shrimp
Follow these tips for tender, juicy boiled shrimp every time:
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Buy fresh or thawed shrimp – For best flavor and texture, buy fresh shrimp and use within a couple days, or thaw frozen shrimp before boiling. Place frozen shrimp in a colander under cold running water to quickly thaw.
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Season the cooking liquid – Add salt, lemon, herbs or other seasonings to the boiling water for extra flavor. Popular options are Old Bay seasoning, lemon, garlic, peppercorns, coriander seeds, and bay leaves.
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Use shelled shrimp – For easiest boiling, buy shrimp that are already shelled and deveined. Leave the tails on for presentation.
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Don’t overcook – Boil just until the shrimp flesh turns opaque. Overcooking leads to rubbery, chewy shrimp.
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Shock in ice water – Shocking in ice water stops the cooking so shrimp don’t overcook.
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Chill leftovers promptly – Boiled shrimp can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Chill within 1 hour of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to boil shrimp?
Boil small shrimp for 1 minute, medium for 1 minute, large for 1-2 minutes, and jumbo up to 2 minutes maximum. Check frequently for doneness. It only takes a few seconds to go from perfectly cooked to overcooked.
Should you boil shrimp with shells on or off?
For easiest boiling, it’s best to use shrimp that are already shelled, with the tails left on. Boiling shelled shrimp allows for even cooking. If using shells-on shrimp, add about 1 minute to the cooking time and peel the shells off after.
Can you boil frozen shrimp?
Yes, boiling frozen shrimp works well. Thaw first by placing the frozen shrimp in a colander and running cold water over them until thawed, about 10-15 minutes. Then boil as normal for 1-2 minutes until cooked through.
How do you know when boiled shrimp are done?
Check for visual cues of doneness. Shrimp are fully cooked when their flesh turns pink and opaque throughout. Sample a thicker piece to check it’s cooked through. Take care not to overcook.
Can you boil too many shrimp at once?
Yes, boiling too many shrimp at one time can lower the water temperature too much and result in uneven cooking. For best results, boil shrimp in batches, allowing the water to return to a boil between batches.
Serving Boiled Shrimp Hot or Cold
One of the benefits of boiled shrimp is they can be served hot immediately after cooking, or chilled for cold shrimp dishes.
For hot boiled shrimp, season them while hot off the stove with melted butter, garlic, lemon, or your favorite cocktail sauce.
For cold boiled shrimp, chill them completely in the refrigerator before using in shrimp salads, appetizers, or shrimp cocktails paired with a chilled sauce.
Either way, boiled shrimp lend themselves to an endless variety of easy recipes. Their versatility and quick cook time makes boiling shrimp a great approach for everyday meals or impressive entertaining.
Delicious Ways to Use Boiled Shrimp
Once you’ve mastered the easy art of how to boil shrimp, put your peeled and cooked shrimp to use in these tasty recipes:
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Shrimp Cocktail – Chilled boiled shrimp paired with a zesty cocktail sauce makes for a classic appetizer. Garnish with lemon wedges.
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Shrimp Salad – Toss boiled shrimp with crispy lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and a tangy dressing for a healthy lunch.
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Shrimp Tacos – Stuff soft corn tortillas with chilled shrimp, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and hot sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
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Shrimp Scampi – Sauté boiled shrimp in garlicky butter sauce and herbs and serve over pasta.
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Shrimp Rolls – Mix boiled shrimp with mayo, lemon juice, celery, onion and pile onto split-top rolls for New England-style shrimp rolls.
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Shrimp & Grits – Smother boiled shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce and serve over creamy cheddar grits for a popular Southern dish.
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Shrimp Stir Fry – Toss boiled shrimp with stir-fried veggies and teriyaki sauce for a fast weeknight dinner.
As you can see, boiled shrimp make the perfect starting point for so many easy, flavorful recipes. The options are endless!
Foolproof Method for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp
Boiling shrimp is truly one of the easiest ways to cook this flavorful seafood to sweet, succulent perfection. For the best results, buy fresh or properly thawed shrimp, season the cooking liquid, boil briefly until just cooked through, shock in ice water, then use immediately in your favorite shrimp dishes.
Follow this simple, reliable method and you’ll be able to enjoy tender boiled shrimp anytime – no experience required. Though shrimp cooks quickly, be sure to keep a close eye on cook times as it’s easy to go from perfectly cooked to overdone within seconds. Keep these tips in mind for boil-cooked shrimp with foolproof texture and flavor.
Instructions For Easy Boiled Shrimp
Pour water into a large stockpot and heat it over high heat. This is the first step in cooking this seafood boil. Next, add the seasonings and the lemons, stirring them with a slotted spoon. The aroma is alluring!.
Next, add the shrimp and stir to combine the flavors with the shrimp.
Cover the large pot with a lid after adding the shrimp to the hot water. It only takes 5 minutes to cook. When the shrimp turn pink, they are done. You want to be sure not to overcook them, or they will become tough and grainy. In a short amount of time, the Easy Boiled Shrimp is ready!.
Put the shrimp in an ice bath to serve cold or serve them hot right from the pot. Pour them onto a sheet pan with lemon wedges.
If fresh shrimp are whole, pinch the heads off and rinse them. You can also slit their backs and retrieve the vein but dont take the peelings or tails off. This makes eating boiled shrimp much more convenient and less messy. My guests always appreciate that gesture.
The aroma is alluring!
Cover the pot with a lid after adding the shrimp to the boiling brew. It only takes 5 minutes to cook. When the shrimp turn pink, they are done. You want to be sure not to overcook them, or they will become tough and grainy.
In a matter of minutes, the Easy Boiled Shrimp is ready!
Remove the heads of the shrimp, but do not peel them before boiling. The shells hold moisture and flavor. Before cooking, you can cut the shrimp down the back to get the dark vein, but don’t remove the shells or tails. This makes eating boiled shrimp much more convenient. My guests always appreciate this gesture.
About 2-3 minutes after the water comes to a boil.
Leave the shrimp’s peels on while it’s cooking. This will help the shrimp keep its flavor and juices.
No, rinsing will wash the taste away, plus this recipe is meant for serving hot-boiled shrimp. You can serve them at room temperature or cold by putting them on ice, but I don’t think you should put them in ice water.
Yes, you can easily overcook shrimp. A good rule to go by is when the shrimp turn pink after a few minutes of cooking. Also, when the shrimp look like the letter “c,” they are cooked. If they look like the letter “o,” they are overcooked.
If you want to learn the difference between the brown, white, and pink Louisiana Gulf shrimp, check out this article in Shrimp, Gulf | SeafoodSource.
What To Serve With Easy Boiled Shrimp?
You may want to dip your shrimp into a sauce. This Louisiana Comeback Sauce is so good you will want to find other tasties to dip into it.
Another quick and easy homemade sauce is one part mayonnaise and one part ketchup. Its also perfect for dipping boiled crawfish into. Other ingredients like sweet pickles and horseradish sauce add flavor to this simple dip. Or be creative and try your favorites to make your very own special dipping sauce.
Before or after the shrimp cooks, boil red potatoes, sweet corn, and andouille sausage in the same seasoned water to make a full and tasty meal. You dont want to cook anything else with the shrimp because the cooking times differ.
Here are recipes that are a great option for cooking shrimp.