How Long Does It Take to Cook Uncooked Shrimp? A Helpful Guide

Shrimp cooks quickly. The key is to take them out before they get tough and let them cool down to stop the cooking. Your shrimp will be ready in less than 5 minutes! Easy Peasy. You may be wondering what I did with all these boiled shrimp.

First, I mustered up all of my self-control not to devour them after I finished taking pictures. I then cut them up and added them to the best shrimp and avocado salsa (a recipe can be found here).

Shrimp is one of the quickest and easiest proteins to cook, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknight meals. But to avoid over or undercooking these delicate crustaceans, it’s important to know exactly how long raw shrimp needs to cook.

The cooking time can vary based on several factors

Shrimp Size

One of the biggest determinants of cook time is the size of the shrimp Here’s a general guide

Small shrimp – 1-2 minutes
Medium shrimp – 2-3 minutes
Large shrimp – 3-4 minutes
Jumbo shrimp – 4-5 minutes

Shrimp is typically categorized by “count” which is the number of shrimp per pound. The higher the count the smaller the shrimp.

Colossal – under 15 per pound
Super colossal – 16-20 per pound
Jumbo – 21-25 per pound
Extra large – 26-30 per pound
Large – 31-40 per pound
Medium – 41-50 per pound
Small – 51-60 per pound

So colossal and super colossal shrimp will have the longest cook times, while small and medium shrimp cook the quickest.

Shell On vs Peeled

Shrimp cooked in the shell will take slightly longer than peeled shrimp since the shell acts as an insulator, protecting the shrimp meat from direct heat.

Expect an extra 1-2 minutes of cook time for shell-on shrimp. You can remove the shells after cooking if desired.

Cooking Method

The cooking method makes a big difference in total cook time. High heat methods like grilling, broiling, and sautéing take less time than slower methods like poaching, baking, or air frying.

Here are estimated cook times by various methods:

Grilling – 2-5 minutes
Broiling – 2-5 minutes
Sautéing – 2-5 minutes
Stir frying – 2-5 minutes
Air frying – 4-8 minutes
Baking – 6-12 minutes
Poaching – 3-6 minutes
Steaming – 4-8 minutes

Faster cooking methods like grilling or sautéing will be on the lower end of the time range, while slower methods take longer.

Frozen vs Fresh

If you’re cooking raw shrimp straight from the freezer, it will need extra time to thaw and cook through.

Add 1-2 minutes to the cook time if using frozen shrimp. It helps to thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

If shrimp is still icy in the middle, it will require even more time to fully thaw and cook through. Undercooked frozen shrimp will have a gritty, unappetizing texture.

Doneness Cues

Shrimp cooks very fast, so it’s easy to over or undercook. Follow these visual cues to know when it’s done:

Raw shrimp is gray, translucent, and slippery
Undercooked shrimp is pink but still translucent and soft
Perfectly cooked shrimp is opaque and pinkish-orange, with tails curled
Overcooked shrimp is solid pink and tails are tightly curled

The shrimp should turn from gray to an opaque pinkish-orange color when fully cooked. Use your eyes, not the clock, to determine when they’re ready.

Cooking Tips

Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp. Cook in a single layer for even cooking.
Flip shrimp halfway through cooking to cook both sides evenly.
Baste shrimp with butter or oil during cooking for extra flavor and moisture.
Shrimp cooks very fast. Stay close to the stove and watch it closely.
For even more precise control, use an instant read thermometer. Shrimp is done at 145°F.
Immediately remove shrimp from heat when fully cooked to prevent overcooking.

Getting Creative with Shrimp

Beyond traditional shrimp scampi or grilled shrimp skewers, here are some fun ways to cook up this quick and versatile ingredient:

Shrimp tacos – Sauté shrimp with taco seasoning and stuff into warm corn tortillas. Top with shredded cabbage, avocado, and cotija cheese.
Shrimp pasta – Boil shrimp right in the pasta cooking water during the last 1-2 minutes. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and parmesan.
Coconut shrimp – Coat shrimp in coconut flakes and panko, then pan fry or bake until crispy. Serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
Shrimp soup – Simmer shrimp in broth with tomatoes, corn, zucchini and thyme for a fast, flavorful soup.
Shrimp salad – Chill cooked shrimp and toss with diced mango, avocado, red onion, lime juice and cilantro.

So that covers everything you need to know about how long to cook raw shrimp based on size, cooking method and other factors. Follow these tips for perfectly cooked shrimp every time. Just be sure to set a timer, because shrimp waits for no one!

how long does uncooked shrimp take to cook

How to Boil Shrimp:

Watch my quick video on how to peel and devein shrimp here. 1. Put the shrimp shells, 1 tablespoon of garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and a bay leaf in a large saucepan. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over med/high heat.

2. Once water boils, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and simmer until pink, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. Drain and transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and let cool.

Use them in any recipe that calls for cooked shrimp, like that shrimp salsa I can’t wait to share with you. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce. I’ll post it A. S. A. P.

P. S. What is your favorite, I mean VERY favorite shrimp recipe? Or do you just like them dipped in cocktail sauce? Yum!

Ingredients for Boiled Shrimp:

1. 15 pounds of raw shrimp, which is about 1 pound when cooked

Andrew Zimmern Cooks: How to Prep Raw Shrimp

FAQ

How long does it take to cook raw shrimp?

Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping only once midway. Depending on the size of your shrimp and how many you have in the pan, this will usually take 4 to 6 minutes. Lastly, transfer to a serving dish.

How do you know when raw shrimp is cooked?

Check for the ‘C’. As shrimp cooks, it curves into the shape of a ‘C’. The flesh will turn opaque with a pearly pink hue, and the tails will turn bright red. Check to make sure all the greyness is gone.

How long to cook raw frozen shrimp on the stove?

Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until the flesh is totally pink and opaque, and you see no more grey bits. Depending on the size of your shrimp and how many you have in the pan, this will usually take 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish.

Can you cook undercooked shrimp?

Conclusion: While shrimp is a delicious seafood option, it is crucial to ensure it is properly cooked to avoid potential health risks. Undercooked shrimp may contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

How long do you cook shrimp in a pan?

Arrange shrimp in the pan in a single layer. Cook shrimp over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes and then flip shrimp to the other side. Cook for about 3 minutes more or until shrimp are cooked through and pink. Quickly toss to coat with sauce and remove from pan to enjoy.

How long do you cook deveined shrimp?

Season 1 lb. large peeled deveined shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the pan, then arrange shrimp in a single layer on the bottom of the skillet. Cook without moving for 2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large shrimp, or 4 minutes for jumbo shrimp.

How long does it take to cook shrimp in a skillet?

Make tender, perfectly cooked shrimp every single time using this easy skillet shrimp recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes or less! Add olive oil to pan and swirl to combine with butter and coat the bottom of the pan. Arrange shrimp in the pan in a single layer.

How do you cook shrimp in a frying pan?

Heat the oil or butter over medium-high heat. Place 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Tilt the pan as the oil warms, or butter melts, to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the shrimp to the hot pan. When the butter is melted or the oil is shimmering, add the shrimp.