How Long Should You Bake Shrimp at 450 Degrees Fahrenheit for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time?

Shrimp is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be prepared so many different ways. One of the most popular methods is baking shrimp in the oven. When baked at a high temperature, shrimp becomes opaque, plump, and flavorful. But it can be tricky to know exactly how long to bake shrimp to achieve that perfect texture without overcooking. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how long you should bake shrimp at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Temperature Is Best for Baking Shrimp?

The optimal temperature for baking shrimp is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat helps the shrimp cook quickly while developing a nice char on the outside At this temperature, the shrimp will take about 12-15 minutes to become fully opaque and cooked through.

Lower temperatures like 375°F will slow down the cooking process resulting in shrimp that are prone to drying out. Higher temperatures above 500°F can make the exterior too crunchy while leaving the inside undercooked.

So 450°F hits the sweet spot between cooking the shrimp fully without any rubbery bite while also achieving that desirable lightly charred exterior.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before preheating your oven and baking the shrimp, you’ll need to gather your ingredients:

• Raw, peeled shrimp – Wild caught U.S. shrimp or sustainable farmed shrimp work best. Make sure they are fully peeled and de-veined.

• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter provides richness and helps the shrimp bake up tender.

• Dijon mustard – Adds a tangy flavor.

• Lemon juice – Brightens up the dish with some acidity.

• Garlic – Minced garlic provides aroma.

• Fresh parsley – Chopped parsley gives color and freshness.

• Salt and pepper – Season the shrimp with salt and pepper before baking.

• Baking dish – Use a shallow dish so the shrimp cook evenly.

Preheat the Oven and Make the Sauce

Preheat your oven to 450°F. While the oven heats up, make the sauce.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the mustard, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley and stir to combine. Simmer just until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.

Prepare the Shrimp

While the oven preheats, prepare the shrimp. Arrange the peeled shrimp in a single layer in the shallow baking dish. Season all over with salt and pepper.

Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce evenly over the shrimp. Toss gently to coat the shrimp fully.

Bake for 12-15 Minutes

Once the oven reaches 450°F, bake the shrimp for 12-15 minutes.

The shrimp will turn opaque and become firm as they cook. Baking times can vary slightly based on the size of the shrimp. Here are guidelines based on shrimp size:

• Colossal shrimp (16-20 per pound) – Bake for 14-15 minutes
• Extra Jumbo shrimp (11-15 per pound) – Bake for 13-14 minutes
• Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound) – Bake for 12-13 minutes
• Large shrimp (26-30 per pound) – Bake 11-12 minutes

So check on the shrimp at 11 minutes and then continue baking until they are fully opaque.

How to Tell When Shrimp Are Done

Shrimp cooks very fast, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Here are some signs to look for to know when it’s ready:

• Opaque – The flesh will become opaque and solid white when cooked through. If any area is still translucent, it needs more time.

• Firm – Cooked shrimp will feel firm and plump. If it has a mushy or rubbery texture, it is overcooked.

• Charred edges – The exposed portions may get lightly browned or charred from the high heat.

• Butter bubbling – The butter sauce will appear bubbly when the shrimp is nearly finished cooking.

When your shrimp shows these signs, use tongs to transfer it to a serving platter. The carryover cooking from the hot pan will finish cooking the center of the thickest shrimp.

Serving Suggestions

Your baked shrimp is ready to enjoy! Here are some serving suggestions:

• Fresh lemon wedges – Squeeze fresh lemon over the shrimp for an extra hit of bright flavor.

• Cocktail sauce – The classic pairing! Make a zesty sauce from ketchup, horseradish, and lemon.

• Melted butter – For dunking the shrimp as you peel and eat them.

• Rice pilaf – Bake some seasoned rice pilaf to round out the meal.

• Veggie skewers – Thread onions, peppers, mushrooms on skewers and bake with the shrimp.

• Crusty bread – Mop up all the buttery sauce with chunks of French bread.

• Pasta – Toss the baked shrimp with linguine or angel hair pasta.

• Salad – Serve chilled shrimp over leafy greens, quinoa, or orzo salad.

Now that you know how long to bake shrimp at 450°F, you can enjoy perfectly cooked, flavorful shrimp anytime. Just peel, season, coat with sauce, and bake for 12-15 minutes until opaque and firm. Use this easy method for hassle-free shrimp appetizers or entrées.