If you’ve never tried Royal Red Shrimp, I’m here to tell you that they’re worth every penny. Read on to find out why these shrimp are so beloved!.
I have a fondness for Royal Red Shrimp that’s borderline obsessive. I order some at least once a year, and sometimes twice or three times. I always have a bag or two in my freezer.
My parents would spend a few weeks every year with my aunt and uncle in Orange Beach, Alabama. That’s where it all began. When I flew down to spend a few days with them for the first time, they were excited to tell me about their favorite things to do in the area, like finding cosmos for a penny or great seashells along the beach. They also told me about their favorite places to eat lunch. But, by far, what I heard about most were the incredible Royal Red Shrimp.
That they were right! I loved everything we ate and did, but those Royal Reds stole my heart. They’re large shrimp with a flavor and texture very close to lobster. We all began calling them “little lobsters” and must have prepared them every way possible.
The best way to prepare Royal Reds is, in my humble opinion, the simplest. To get the most out of them, boil or steam them and serve them with a simple cocktail sauce and/or drawn butter. They’re not cheap, but they taste great. Here is my Royal Red recipe, if you can even call it that! This is how I make these 99 9% of the time. There’s just no need for anything fussier.
Royal red shrimp are a sweet, tasty variety of shrimp found in the Gulf of Mexico. Their bright reddish-pink shells andtender white flesh make them a delicious choice for seafood lovers. But with their delicate texture, proper cooking times are key to enjoying royal reds at their best. Follow these tips on boil times and methods to end up with tender, juicy royal red shrimp every time.
The Importance of a Quick Boil
One of the keys to cooking royal red shrimp is using a fast hot boil. This rapid cooking helps seal in moisture flavor, and texture. Royal reds should only boil for 2-2 1/2 minutes once the water is at a full rolling boil. Any longer and these delicate shrimp become rubbery and overcooked.
Boiling royal reds low and slow is a no-no The moderate heat gives the shrimp time to toughen up and dry out. You want that quick, hot boil for perfect texture
Prepping Royal Reds Before Boiling
Proper prep helps ensure even, quick cooking of the shrimp. Here are some tips:
- Rinse thoroughly – Run cold water over shrimp to remove any debris.
- Peel – For easiest peeling, leave last section of shell on tail and gently pull off shells.
- Devein – Use a paring knife to remove the dark vein along the back.
- Butterfly – Cut shrimp almost all the way through down the back to open up for quick, even cooking.
Leave shells on for presentation or take them off for easier eating. Just adjust boil time down slightly, around 30 seconds less, for peeled shrimp.
Ideal Boil Times for Royal Red Shrimp
For perfect texture, follow these boil times once the water reaches a full rolling boil:
- Medium shrimp (35-45 count): 1 1⁄2 to 2 minutes
- Large shrimp (25-30 count): 2 to 2 1⁄2 minutes
- Colossal shrimp (10-15 count): 2 1⁄2 to 3 minutes
The warmer the water, the less time needed. Use higher heat for fastest results.
Checking Doneness of Boiled Royal Reds
It can be tricky to tell when delicate royal reds are done by sight. Here are a few ways to test:
- Flesh turns opaque and faintly pink throughout
- Shells turn bright pinkish-red
- Shrimp floats to the top
- Shrimp curls into a “C” shape
- Meat feels firm yet still moist when pressed
- A meat thermometer inserted in thickest part reaches 145°F
When in doubt, err on the side of slightly undercooked rather than overcooked.
Serving Perfectly Cooked Royal Red Shrimp
Once boiled to perfection, here are some serving tips:
- Drain immediately and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.
- Peel and eat warm as is with cocktail sauce.
- Chill boiled shrimp on ice or in fridge to serve cold.
- Sauté or grill briefly just to reheat if serving warm later.
- Avoid soaking cooked shrimp in liquid as they can get waterlogged.
Underboiled shrimp can be fixed with another 30 seconds to 1 minute in boiling water. Unfortunately overcooked shrimp can’t be reversed.
Handy Boiling Tips for Juicy Royal Reds
Follow these useful guidelines for tender, moist royal red shrimp every time:
- Use plenty of water – At least 4 quarts of water per 1 lb shrimp
- Salt the water – 1-2 tbsp salt helps flavor and moisture
- Don’t overcrowd – Cook 1 lb or less at a time
- Stir gently – Prevents shrimp from sticking together
- Shock in ice bath – Helps stop carryover cooking
Tasty Recipes for Boiled Royal Red Shrimp
Once you’ve mastered the short royal red shrimp boil, try these easy recipes:
Boiled Royal Reds with Old Bay Butter
Ingredients: Melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, lemon
Directions: Dip boiled shrimp in melted butter seasoned with Old Bay and lemon juice.
Chilled Royal Red Shrimp Salad
Ingredients: Boiled shrimp, diced celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt
Directions: Toss chilled boiled shrimp with mayo mixture. Serve over lettuce.
Seared Royal Reds with White Wine
Ingredients: Royal red shrimp, butter or oil, minced garlic, white wine
Directions: Cook shrimp 1 minute per side in hot pan. Deglaze pan with white wine and garlic.
So for irresistibly tender and sweet royal red shrimp, keep that boil time short and hot. Proper prep and frequent checking helps prevent overcooking these delectable shrimp. Master quick boiling and you’ll be enjoying shrimp perfection.
Royal Red Shrimp Ingredients
I almost didn’t include this part because you only need a few ingredients. But you might find it useful, so here they are:
2 pounds of Royal Red Shrimp 1 lemon Cocktail Sauce (you can buy it at the store or make it quickly yourself!) Melted butter (salted or unsalted) You can even use ghee if you prefer. Garlic – Use minced (fresh or store-bought), or add some fresh roasted garlic.
This recipe doesn’t need all of these things; in fact, the only thing you really need is the shrimp. You can mix and match the rest, or I use them all when I make them.
But First, Where Can You Buy Royal Red Shrimp?
Back when my parents were still traveling down to Alabama’s Gulf Coast, I’d simply bring a few pounds back on ice when I’d visit them. A few years after they’d gotten too old to travel, I had the brilliant idea to order them some Royal Reds for Christmas since I knew they really missed them. There are many places online that sell them, but sadly, they were all sold out at the time. After much searching, I found them available to order online at Wild Alaska Salmon and Seafood. I wasn’t sure they’d be the same quality since the Gulf Coast is nowhere near Alaska, but I gave them a shot.
That turned out to be a great choice; my parents LOVED their Royal Red shrimp! They were the same size and shape as the ones we were used to, and they tasted just like lobster. Our first order was five or six years ago, and we’ve placed one together every year since (it’s cheaper the more you buy). Each 2-lb package has about 26-30 shrimp with a 6-lb minimum order. We usually order 8-10 pounds at a time, which gives us 4-5 bags each. They come deveined and split, which makes them very easy to prepare and enjoy.
Royal Red Shrimp | Goldens’ Cast Iron Cooker | Heath Riles
How long do royal red shrimp take to cook?
Royal red shrimp cook a little differently from other species of shrimp. Like spot prawns, they cook fast. Really fast. As in, just wave them over the heat fast. They are already pink, so you can’t use that as your indicator. A normal sauté with royal reds will only take about 2 to 3 minutes.
How long do you boil frozen shrimp?
Drop the frozen shrimp into the boiling water, turn down the heat, and adjust the heat as necessary to keep it at a strong simmer/slow boil. I set my timer for 4 minutes, but I keep an eye on them in case they finish cooking a little sooner. You’ll know they’re done when they’ve curled up a bit and they’ve turned opaque.
How to cook royal red shrimp?
When cooking Royal Red Shrimp, it is essential to avoid overcooking as they can become rubbery and lose their flavor. Monitor their cooking time closely and remove them from heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink. Additionally, be careful when seasoning, as Royal Red Shrimp have a delicate taste that can be easily overwhelmed by strong flavors.
How do you season royal red shrimp?
Next, it’s time to season your shrimp and enhance their natural flavors. You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, or get creative with a blend of your favorite spices. Consider adding a hint of paprika, garlic powder, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to elevate the taste profile of your Royal Red Shrimp.