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.
Cooking shrimp in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to prepare this tasty seafood. With just a few simple steps, you can have succulent baked shrimp on the table in less than 30 minutes.
But knowing exactly how long to cook shrimp in the oven can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with raw rubbery shrimp. Overcook them and you’ll have tough dried out shrimp. Follow my tips below for perfectly cooked oven baked shrimp every time.
Choosing the Right Shrimp for Oven Baking
The first step is selecting high quality shrimp. Here are a few things I look for
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Fresh or frozen – Fresh is ideal but frozen shrimp that was frozen soon after being caught works well too. Avoid “previously frozen” shrimp.
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Large size – Go for extra jumbo (16-20 per pound) or jumbo (21-25 per pound). The larger the shrimp, the longer they take to cook
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Peeled vs shell-on – Both work! Shelled shrimp cooks a bit faster. Shell-on has more flavor.
No matter which you choose, always devein your shrimp by slicing along the back and removing the digestive tract.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Shrimp in the Oven?
Cooking times vary based on the size of your shrimp:
- Small (36-45 per pound): 8-9 minutes
- Medium (31-35 per pound): 9-10 minutes
- Large (26-30 per pound): 10-12 minutes
- Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 12-14 minutes
These times are for shrimp baked at 400°F. I like to cook shrimp at a high temp to help them caramelize and brown on the outside while staying moist inside.
7 Tips for Perfect Oven Baked Shrimp
Follow these simple tips for baked shrimp that turns out plump, juicy and full of flavor every time.
1. Preheat the Oven
Always preheat your oven to 400°F before baking shrimp. Preheating ensures the oven temperature is correct and the shrimp cooks evenly.
2. Use a Baking Sheet
A rimmed baking sheet provides the most even heat. Line it with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
3. Don’t Overcrowd
Arrange shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding causes uneven cooking.
4. Season Generously
Shrimp loves bold flavors. I like to toss it in olive oil, garlic, cajun seasoning, paprika and lemon juice before baking.
5. Cook at a High Temp
Cooking shrimp at a high temp like 400°F gives you tender interiors and crispy, caramelized exteriors.
6. Check for Doneness
Shrimp turns from grey to pink/orange when it’s done. I poke a knife into the thickest part of a shrimp to check that it’s opaque throughout.
7. Don’t Overbake
Once pink and opaque, immediately remove from oven. Overbaked shrimp becomes rubbery and dry.
Cooking Frozen Shrimp in the Oven
You can bake frozen shrimp without thawing first. Just add 2-3 minutes to the cook time.
Here are the oven bake times for frozen shrimp:
- Small (36-45 per pound): 10-12 minutes
- Medium (31-35 per pound): 11-13 minutes
- Large (26-30 per pound): 12-15 minutes
- Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 14-17 minutes
As always, check a few shrimp for doneness a couple minutes early. Frozen shrimp can quickly go from undercooked to overcooked.
How to Bake Shrimp in the Oven Step-by-Step
Ready to bake up a batch of delicious oven-roasted shrimp? Follow my simple instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep Shrimp
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Thaw frozen shrimp if using frozen. Peel, devein and pat dry fresh or thawed shrimp.
Step 2: Toss Shrimp with Oil and Seasonings
Place shrimp in a bowl and drizzle with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
Step 3: Arrange in a Single Layer on Baking Sheet
Spread seasoned shrimp out in a single layer on the foil-lined baking sheet. Make sure not to overcrowd.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 8-15 minutes depending on size. Refer to the oven bake times listed above.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
After the minimum cook time, start checking shrimp every minute. Poke a knife into the thickest part of a shrimp to check it’s opaque throughout.
Step 6: Remove from Oven and Serve
As soon as shrimp is fully cooked, remove from oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls when cooking shrimp in the oven:
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Overcrowding – Shrimp needs space to brown and cook evenly.
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Undercooking – Start checking early and bake just until opaque.
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Overcooking – It only takes a minute to go from perfect to rubbery.
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Not preheating – Always preheat so shrimp cooks fast at a high temp.
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Baking too cool – Cook at 400°F for tender insides and crispy OUTSIDES.
Follow my tips above and you’ll nail perfectly cooked oven baked shrimp every time!
More Delicious Ways to Cook Shrimp
Oven baking is just one of many easy, delicious ways to prepare shrimp. Here are a few more of my favorite methods:
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Grilled shrimp – Toss in oil and cajun seasoning then grill 2-3 minutes per side
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Sauteed shrimp – Cook in olive oil and garlic until pink. Just 3-4 minutes.
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Shrimp scampi – Saute shrimp in butter, garlic and white wine. Toss with pasta.
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Sheet pan fajitas – Roast shrimp with peppers and onions for quick fajitas
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Shrimp tacos – Top soft tortillas with oven baked shrimp, pico de gallo and avocado
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Shrimp boil – Boil shrimp in a spiced broth with potatoes and corn on the cob.
However you make it, shrimp cooks fast so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Keep your freezer stocked and you’ll always have the makings for a quick, tasty meal.
With my handy shrimp cooking times and tips, you can master oven baked shrimp and enjoy this delicious and versatile ingredient any night of the week. For more easy seafood recipes, check out my blog Kitchentipstricks.com. Enjoy!
How to make this recipe
You will need my favorite cooking tool: a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper to make clean-up easier. Preheat your oven to 400F.
Thaw your shrimp if using frozen shrimp, then pat it dry with paper towels. Place them in a bowl.
Add a tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle your spices of choice and toss well. The spices given in this recipe are just an example. You can experiment with lots of other combinations of spices and herbs. Keep it mild or kick it up with some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Add an exotic curry spice mix, or a Cajun blackening mix. Sprinkle your favorite dried herbs. Go wild! Just one recommendation: do not add salt. Shrimp are naturally high in sodium and do not require any added salt for cooking.
Lay the shrimp out in a single layer on your baking sheet. Place it in the oven and bake 7 minutes. Don’t flip the shrimp while they’re baking; just let them do their thing in the oven…
Once you take off the sheet, the food is ready to eat. You can add lemon juice or leave it as is.
What shrimp to buy
If you live by the coast, fresh-off-the-boat shrimp are of course the best. But frozen shrimp are actually fresher than most “fresh”. Let me clarify this. Frozen shrimp in the freezer section of your grocery store freeze almost right away after being caught off the shrimp boat. This preserves their freshness right up until you decide to thaw them. It’s likely that most of the “fresh” shrimp you see on ice at the store was frozen in the same way and then thawed by the staff. Which means they’re actually getting less fresh with every passing hour. If you’re not sure that the “fresh” shrimp at the store are really straight from the boat, it’s better to buy frozen shrimp.
Wild caught shrimp is always preferable. If all you can find is farm-raised, make sure the package says they are raised sustainably and responsibly. Look for shrimp certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Best Aquaculture Practices, or Naturland. And in doubt, use the Monterrey Aquarium Seafood Watch guide to determine if your shrimp source is sustainable.
For this recipe, I strongly recommend buying the larger kind of shrimp labeled as “26 to 30 per pound” (or extra-large). If you use smaller shrimp, you will need to slightly reduce the cooking time, and if you use larger shrimp, increase it.
FAST RECIPE How to Cook Oven Roasted Shrimp | Black Tiger Shrimp | Prawns
How do you cook shrimp in the oven?
Baked method: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the shrimp on a baking sheet in an even layer. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until juicy and opaque, about 4 to 6 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. Broiler method: Place the shrimp on a baking sheet in an even layer.
How do you cook frozen shrimp in the oven?
To bake shrimp in the oven, simply: Pat the shrimp dry. Blot with some paper towels to remove any excess moisture, especially if your shrimp were frozen and have just been thawed. Toss with oil. Toss with oil until the shrimp are evenly coated, either in a mixing bowl or just directly on the baking sheet. Arrange on the baking sheet.
How long does it take to bake shrimp?
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your baked shrimp turns out tender, juicy, and bursting with delicious flavor. If you’re looking for a quick answer, shrimp generally takes about 10-12 minutes to bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C).
How long do you cook roasted shrimp?
Here are a few pointers for making this roasted 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.