If you are new to cooking seafood, shrimp is the easiest to start with, in my opinion. This easy baked shrimp recipe is so simple a 4 year old child can make it. It is tasty and versatile.
Shrimp is one of the staples you should keep in your freezer at all times. It takes just minutes to defrost and even fewer minutes to cook. It’s delicious. And it’s nutritious. It is low in fat and calories and high in protein. It is also high in Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iodine, and selenium. It is also an antioxidant that is linked to brain and heart health.
For most people, dietary cholesterol may not have a big effect on blood cholesterol levels. If this worries you, know that it has cholesterol in it. Unless you doctor advised you not to eat shrimp, you shouldn’t worry about it.
Shrimp is a quick and easy weeknight dinner staple. When prepared properly, shrimp bake into tender, juicy morsels in minutes. But getting the bake time just right can be tricky. Undercook shrimp and they are gummy and flavorless. Overcook them and you end up with rubbery, chewy shrimp. So how long should you bake medium shrimp at 400°F for perfect results?
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to bake medium shrimp like a pro, including:
- The benefits of baking vs other cooking methods
- How shrimp size affects baking time
- Key considerations for frozen vs fresh shrimp
- The best tools and pans for baking shrimp
- Step-by-step baking instructions
- Exact bake times for medium shrimp at 400°F
- How to tell when shrimp is cooked properly
- Delicious seasoning ideas and serving suggestions
Follow these tips and you will never serve overcooked shrimp again!
Why Bake Shrimp?
Baking is hands down the easiest, most foolproof way to cook shrimp. Here’s why it beats other cooking methods
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Even cooking – The hot air surrounds and cooks the shrimp evenly, unlike pan frying where one side overcooks.
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Perfect texture – Shrimp bake up tender and moist without getting rubbery like when boiled or grilled.
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Infuses flavors – Baking allows shrimp to absorb spices, herbs and marinades thoroughly.
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Easy – Just toss shrimp with oil and seasoning and pop into the oven. Minimal prep and cleanup.
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Versatile – Bake plain, breaded, sauced or skewer for easy meal options.
For the juiciest, most flavorful shrimp with no fuss, baking cannot be beat. Now let’s look at how shrimp size impacts cooking times.
Shrimp Size Matters
Shrimp are sold by “count”, which is the number of shrimp per pound. The smaller the count, the bigger the shrimp:
- Colossal: under 10 per pound
- Extra Jumbo: 11-15 per pound
- Jumbo: 16-20 per pound
- Extra Large: 21-25 per pound
- Large: 26-30 per pound
- Medium: 31-40 per pound
Since medium shrimp are smaller, they cook faster than jumbo or extra large shrimp. This quick cooking time makes getting the bake time just right crucial.
To Thaw or Not to Thaw
For best flavor and texture, raw fresh shrimp are ideal. But frozen shrimp can work in baked dishes too if handled properly:
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Thaw first – Thawing ensures shrimp bake evenly. Bake time stays consistent.
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Pat dry – Dab off excess moisture from thawed shrimp before baking so they don’t steam.
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Don’t crowd – Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet so they cook through.
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Add bake time – Increase bake time 1-2 minutes for frozen shrimp to account for chilled start.
Follow these tips and frozen shrimp will bake up deliciously!
Baker’s Tools for Perfect Baked Shrimp
You don’t need fancy tools to bake shrimp like a pro. Here are the basic supplies:
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Rimmed baking sheet – Provides lots of surface area for even cooking.
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Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and eases cleanup.
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Oil spray – For a light coating of oil to promote browning without sogginess.
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Instant read thermometer – Takes the guesswork out of doneness (145°F is ideal).
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Tongs – Makes transferring cooked shrimp to serving dish fast and easy.
With these simple items, you are ready to bake!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Shrimp
Follow these easy steps for baked medium shrimp that come out perfect every time:
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Prep shrimp – Thaw, peel, and pat dry medium shrimp.
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Coat with oil – Mist shrimp lightly with oil spray or toss with 1 tbsp oil.
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Season – Sprinkle with desired spices, herbs, salt, pepper.
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Arrange – Place shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Bake at 400°F – Cook for 6-8 minutes until shrimp reach 145°F internally.
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Check often – Peek at 5 minutes to monitor doneness and prevent overbaking.
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Serve and enjoy – Toss with extra seasoning if desired and serve warm.
It’s that easy to bake juicy medium shrimp in minutes!
Exact Bake Times for Medium Shrimp
So how long exactly should you bake medium shrimp at 400°F? Here are the fail-proof bake times:
- Fresh medium shrimp – 6-8 minutes
- Frozen medium shrimp – 8-10 minutes
- Breaded medium shrimp – 9-11 minutes
- Skewered medium shrimp – 8-10 minutes
Check shrimp at 5 minutes when baking to gauge doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
These times ensure tender, juicy shrimp every time. Adjust bake times up or down slightly if your shrimp is smaller or larger.
Is My Shrimp Done?
With such quick bake times, it’s easy to over or undercook shrimp. Follow these visual cues to know when they are perfectly baked:
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Opaque – Shrimp should be solid pink/white with no translucence.
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Lightly browned – Look for a touch of golden browning in spots.
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Curls slightly – Shrimp curl into a loose “C” shape when finished baking.
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Flakes easily – Shrimp meat should separate cleanly and flake with a fork.
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Moist – Baked shrimp should never be dry or rubbery.
Use these tips to identify when your medium shrimp are baked to tender perfection.
Delicious Ways to Season and Serve Baked Shrimp
A simple sprinkle of salt, pepper, and lemon does the trick, but here are some tasty ways to jazz up baked medium shrimp:
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Old Bay Shrimp – Toss shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay, and lemon.
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Garlic Herb Shrimp – Coat shrimp in melted butter with garlic, parsley, paprika, and parmesan.
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Honey Sriracha Shrimp – Mix sriracha, honey, soy sauce, oil and coat shrimp.
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Cajun Shrimp – Season shrimp with Cajun spice mix before baking.
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Shrimp Fajitas – Bake shrimp with bell peppers and onion. Stuff in tortillas.
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Shrimp Tacos – Top baked shrimp with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and cilantro sauce.
The options are endless! Use these bake time guidelines and you’ll have tender, flavorful baked medium shrimp on the table in no time.
What to eat with it
Make this a complete meal by adding a serving of whole grain (brown rice, quinoa for example) and some colorful vegetables – roasted, steamed or sauteed – or a salad. Eat them warm or cold. They will keep in your refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Top them with a sauce, or dip them in your favorite dip: tomato sauce, pesto, chimichurri, roasted red pepper sauce, a homemade tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. They make a great protein topping for your lunch salads or in a wrap.
How do I know if my shrimp is cooked?
The key is to keep an eye on your shrimp while they’re in the oven. You want them to be completely pink and opaque with a slight sheen. It’s likely that your shrimp are still not done cooking if they have a hint of gray or are see-through. You’ve gone too far if they start to curl into a tight “O” shape and look dry on top. But I can’t help you there… you’ll just have to eat your rubbery shrimp. You should have listened to me.
Juicy Baked Shrimp. A must try recipe
How long to cook shrimp at 400?
How Long to Cook Shrimp at 400…. 6-10 minutes based on size How Long to Bake Shrimp at 450…5-8 minutes based on size – do not recommend baking at this temp. We recommend using the large shrimp if this is your first time cooking shrimp this way as they are larger and easier to control through cooking.
How long do you cook shrimp in the oven?
Make sure there is enough space between the shrimp, so they don’t overcrowd. Overcrowding can cause the shrimp to steam instead of bake, leading to a mushy texture. Bake the shrimp in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until they turn pink and opaque. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the shrimp, so keep a close eye on them.
How long to cook frozen shrimp in oven?
Large shrimp (16-20 count) typically take 10-15 minutes to bake in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the specific recipe or oven temperature. Can I Use Frozen Shrimp For Oven Baking?
How long do you cook fried shrimp?
Use any size of shrimp. Just keep in mind the cook time will vary based on the size. Bake the shrimp 4 to 6 minutes until its opaque. Bake or broil. The advantage with broiled shrimp is that you don’t have to wait for the oven to preheat! Add breadcrumbs if desired. It’s optional, but adding breadcrumbs makes the crispiest crunchy coating.