You can learn how to boil shrimp the right way by reading our guide. You’ll get perfectly tender and juicy shrimp every time.
Why boil shrimp when you can quickly cook it on the stove? It turns out that boiling shrimp is easy and tasty, with sweet, briny flesh and a soft, delicate texture. Many people like to make shrimp cocktail with boiled shrimp, but you can boil shrimp for any kind of dish. The good thing about boiling shrimp is that it stays good at room temperature, so you can leave it out on a platter while you have guests over. Wondering how to boil shrimp? Here’s our simple method for ensuring plump, juicy flesh.
How Long to Boil Shrimp on the Stove for Perfectly Cooked Seafood Every Time
Shrimp is a delicious and versatile type of seafood that can be prepared in many ways. One of the most popular cooking methods is boiling shrimp on the stovetop. It results in plump, juicy shrimp with a tender bite. However, boiling shrimp can seem intimidating for home cooks. Undercook the shrimp and it turns out rubbery and flavorless. Overcook it and the shrimp becomes tough and chewy. So how long should you boil shrimp to get it just right?
The exact boiling time depends on several factors like the size and type of shrimp whether it’s shelled or unshelled and if it’s raw or frozen. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to boil shrimp to tender, juicy perfection right on your stovetop.
Choosing the Best Shrimp for Boiling
You can boil any type of shrimp – brown shrimp, white shrimp, tiger shrimp, rock shrimp. Go for wild caught shrimp if you can find it, as it’s more sustainable and tasty than farmed shrimp. Fresh shrimp is ideal but frozen shrimp also works well. Just make sure frozen shrimp is thawed fully before boiling.
Some popular shrimp sizes for boiling:
- Colossal – Under 10 per pound
- Jumbo – Under 15 per pound
- Extra Large – 16 to 20 per pound
- Large – 21 to 25 per pound
- Medium – 26 to 30 per pound
- Small – Around 41 to 50 per pound
Larger shrimp like colossal and jumbo are great for impressive shrimp cocktails. Medium shrimp work well for shrimp scampi pasta dishes. Opt for shell-on shrimp to help retain moisture, but it’s easiest to boil shrimp with the shell removed. Deveined shrimp saves time, but deveining after cooking works too.
How Long to Boil Different Shrimp Sizes
The cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp. Follow this handy chart:
Extra small (51-60 per pound): 2 minutes
Small (41-50 per pound): 2 minutes
Medium (31-40 per pound): 3 minutes
Large (26-30 per pound): 3 minutes
Extra large (21-25 per pound): 4 minutes
Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 5 minutes
Colossal (10-15 per pound): 6 minutes
These times are for raw, shell-on shrimp. For frozen shrimp, add 1 minute to the cooking time. For shelled shrimp, subtract 1 minute.
Keep in mind that a larger pot of boiling water will recover heat faster than a smaller pot after adding cold shrimp. Use at least 3 quarts of water per 1 pound of shrimp. Monitor shrimp closely and use cooking times as a guide.
Step-By-Step Guide for How to Boil Shrimp on the Stove
Follow this simple process for perfect boiled shrimp every time:
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Prep the shrimp. Rinse shrimp under cold water and remove shells if desired. Devein by slicing along the back and removing the digestive tract using a paring knife if needed. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Bring water to a boil. Fill a large pot with salted water, allowing 3-4 quarts per 1 pound of shrimp. Heat over high until the water reaches a rapid boil.
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Add shrimp and cook. Once boiling, add shrimp and cook for the recommended time based on size.
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Remove from heat. After the time is up, use a slotted spoon or mesh strainer to transfer shrimp to a colander or bowl.
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Shock in ice bath. Plunge the cooked shrimp into an ice bath (bowl of ice water) to stop the cooking. This helps lock in moisture.
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Peel and devein if needed. For unshelled shrimp, peel off the shells and tails now, leaving tails intact if desired. Devein if needed.
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Season and serve. Pat dry and season with salt, pepper, lemon juice or cajun seasoning if desired.
Tips for Perfectly Boiled Shrimp
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Don’t crowd the pot. Cook shrimp in batches instead of overfilling the pot, which drops the water temperature.
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Salt the water. Add 2 tbsp salt per quart of water. The salty water lightly seasons the shrimp.
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Know when it’s done. Signs of cooked shrimp: pink and opaque coloring, curled shape, floating to the top.
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Watch the time. Follow the recommended cook times precisely for tender shrimp with out overcooking.
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Shock it in ice water. Stopping the cooking helps prevent overcooking and firms up the texture.
How to Use Boiled Shrimp
Boiled shrimp stays tender when served room temperature, making it perfect for:
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Shrimp cocktails – Serve with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
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Shrimp salads – Toss with greens, avocado, veggies, and tangy dressing.
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Shrimp tacos – Add to corn tortillas with citrus slaw and salsa.
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Shrimp rolls – Mix with mayo, celery, lemon juice on a buttered roll.
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Shrimp scampi – Sauté boiled shrimp in wine, butter, garlic sauce over pasta.
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Seafood platters – Arrange on a platter with other boiled seafood.
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Soups and stews – Add to seafood soups, jambalaya, gumbo.
Troubleshooting Boiled Shrimp
Here are some common issues and how to avoid them:
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Rubbery, tough shrimp – Caused by undercooking. Follow cook times precisely.
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Dry, chewy shrimp – Sign of overcooking. Remove from heat right at recommended time.
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Curled, tough shrimp – Overcrowding pot lowers water temp. Use larger pot and cook in batches.
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Bland shrimp – Increase seasoning in cooking water. Sprinkle with cajun seasoning after.
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Split shrimp – Don’t overcook for too long or rapid temperature changes.
Mastering how long to boil shrimp results in tender, succulent shrimp every single time. Follow the tips in this guide for perfectly cooked shrimp straight from your stovetop. Enjoy boiled shrimp in shrimp cocktails, seafood platters, salads, tacos, scampi, and more. Your family and guests will be impressed with your flawlessly prepared shrimp.
Tips for how to boil shrimp
The ingredients you’ll need to boil shrimp are 1 pound of large shrimp, kosher salt, and a lemon. You’ll bring a large pot of salted water to a boil with some fresh lemon juice.
Once boiling, add the shrimp and boil until they’re pink and cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp to an ice bath, which is a bowl of water and ice. This will stop the cooking immediately, leaving the shrimp perfectly tender.
If you cooked the shrimp with the shell on, remove it. If you’re making shrimp cocktail, on the other hand, you might want to leave the tails on for looks. Add more kosher salt and lemon to taste to the shrimp to make it taste better. Then it’s ready to go!
Want a shrimp boil instead?
To make a classic shrimp boil, potatoes, corn, and shrimp are all cooked together in the same pot with spices (usually Old Bay). The cooking method is the same. Here’s a shrimp boil recipe that you can use for parties and a sheet pan version that you can use for dinner during the week. You can also make steamed shrimp, seasoned with Old Bay. 01.
Shrimp Boil For Two | Cooked Indoors On A Stove | Perfect Easy Peel Shrimp Everytime
How long does it take to boil shrimp?
Boiling shrimp with the shell on helps to lock in moisture. If using shell on shrimp, you’ll need to remove the shells after cooking them. The overall time it takes for the entire process is about 15 to 20 minutes. The ingredients you’ll need to boil shrimp are 1 pound of large shrimp, kosher salt, and a lemon.
How long does it take to cook shrimp?
The cook time is about 2 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. The timing varies based on the size of the shrimp and whether it is shell on or off. Most sizes of shelled shrimp cook in about 2 minutes, and shell on takes 1 minute or so longer. Boiling shrimp with the shell on helps to lock in moisture.
How long do you cook shrimp in a cast iron skillet?
Heat a 12-inch skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook without moving until they turn pinkish on the bottom and just starts to curl, about 2 minutes. Quickly flip and cook until pink, translucent, and curled into a loose “C” shape, about 1 minute.
How do you cook frozen shrimp on the stove?
Here’s how to cook shrimp on the stove: If using frozen shrimp, thaw it completely. Pat the shrimp dry and mix it with minced garlic and salt. In a large skillet, melt a few tablespoons butter. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until opaque and cooked through, turning with tongs. Spritz with fresh lemon or lime juice (optional).