Some people love seafood, and this Old Bay Steamed Shrimp recipe has been around for a long time. It’s quick, easy, and tastes great! You can serve it as an appetizer or as a main dish with a salad.
As a seafood lover, I enjoy making shrimp at home. Steaming is one of my favorite ways to prepare shrimp because it’s a simple cooking method that results in tender, juicy shrimp every time.
However, one question I had when I first started steaming shrimp was – how long should I steam them for? Overcooking can quickly turn shrimp from succulent to rubbery So getting the steaming time right is key for perfectly cooked shrimp
Through trial and error in my kitchen, I’ve dialed in exactly how long to steam shrimp based on their size so they turn out tender and delicious. Keep reading and I’ll share how long you should steam shrimp to get ideal results
Why Steaming is a Great Cooking Method for Shrimp
Steaming is one of the best ways to cook shrimp for a few reasons
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It cooks the shrimp evenly – Shrimp cook from the indirect steam heat on all sides at once, preventing overcooking.
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It keeps them tender and moist – The gentle steam heat gently cooks the shrimp, so they stay tender and juicy.
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It allows for easy seasoning – Since shrimp aren’t submerged, you can easily season them before steaming.
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It’s fast – Steaming cooks shrimp quickly, so you can have a seafood meal on the table fast.
Steaming really is an easy, foolproof way to cook shrimp that highlights their natural sweet flavor. Now let’s get into exactly how long you should steam shrimp based on their size.
How Long to Steam Jumbo Shrimp
Jumbo shrimp are the largest size classification and contain under 15 shrimp per pound. These shrimp have the thickest meat and take the longest to cook.
For jumbo shrimp, steam for 6-8 minutes to ensure they are cooked through. I recommend checking doneness at 6 minutes and continuing to steam if needed.
Jumbo shrimp should turn opaque and pink when they are fully cooked. To be safe, use an instant read thermometer to check that jumbo shrimp reach an internal temperature of 140°F when done.
Steaming jumbo shrimp any longer than 8 minutes risks overcooking them, so staying within the 6-8 minute range is ideal.
How Long to Steam Extra Large Shrimp
Extra large shrimp contain 16-20 shrimp per pound. They are smaller than jumbo shrimp but still have a good amount of meat on them.
For extra large shrimp, the ideal steaming time is 5-7 minutes. After 5 minutes, I open the pot and move the shrimp around for even exposure.
Check for doneness at 6 minutes and give them another minute if they aren’t quite opaque and pink throughout yet. You want to avoid steaming extra large shrimp for more than 7 minutes total.
How Long to Steam Large Shrimp
Large shrimp have 21-25 shrimp per pound. Since these shrimp are smaller, they require a little less steaming time.
For large shrimp, steam for 4-6 minutes for the best texture. I recommend tossing the shrimp gently halfway through steaming for even cooking.
Large shrimp cook through fully within 4-6 minutes. If steamed longer, you risk drying them out. Stay within this timeframe for tender, juicy shrimp.
How Long to Steam Medium Shrimp
Medium shrimp contain 26-30 shrimp per pound. With less meat than large shrimp, these petite shrimp steam up faster.
The ideal steaming time for medium shrimp is 3-5 minutes. Toss them halfway through, then check for doneness.
Medium shrimp should turn opaque and pink throughout when they are fully cooked. Be careful not to oversteam them past 5 minutes.
How Long to Steam Small Shrimp
Small shrimp have over 30 shrimp per pound. These tiny shrimp cook up the quickest since they have the least amount of meat.
For small shrimp, steam for just 2-4 minutes for perfect texture. I like to gently stir them at the 2 minute mark.
Small shrimp will be tender and moist when steamed for 2-4 minutes. Take care not to overcook them.
Pro Tips for Steaming Shrimp
Now that you know how long to steam shrimp based on size, here are some additional tips:
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Leave the shells on during steaming for better moisture retention. Peel after cooking.
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Use a steamer basket or metal colander to keep shrimp elevated above the boiling water.
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Resist overcrowding. Steam shrimp in a single layer for the best results.
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Season shrimp before steaming. Old Bay, lemon pepper, and Cajun seasoning all work great.
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Check doneness early, and steam in 30 second increments if the shrimp need a little more time.
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Chill steamed shrimp immediately in ice water to stop the cooking, if not serving right away.
Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
If you don’t want to devein the shrimp, this easy recipe can be made in even less time. Serve with melted butter, cocktail sauce, or tartar sauce for one of the easiest snacks or quick meals you’ll ever make.
- Shrimp: You’ll need one pound of big shrimp with their shells on.
- Old Bay Seasoning—You can set your own personal preference for how much to use. You can use Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay, but I love the taste of Old Bay better.
- Water: Before you boil the water, make sure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
- You don’t have to serve lemon wedges, but I love steamed shrimp with freshly squeezed lemon.
How to Steam Shrimp
- Bring water to a boil. If you don’t want the bottom of the steamer basket to touch the water, don’t pour too much water into the big pot.
- Put the shrimp in the steamer basket and season them with Old Bay.
- Carefully place the basket in the pot and cover. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil.
- It depends on the size of your shrimp, but steam them for 4 to 6 minutes. After about two minutes, I use tongs to move the shrimp around so that they steam evenly. When shrimp have just turned pink and are clear, they are done.
You can make a makeshift steamer basket with a stainless mesh strainer (or colander) placed into a pot.
It should take four to six minutes – toss the shrimp after a couple of minutes to ensure that every shrimp cooks evenly (the ones on the bottom will cook first). Steam until shrimp have just turned pink and are opaque.
This is totally your personal preference, but deveining isn’t a requirement. If you prefer yours deveined, it’s very simple to do. Cut the shell along the back of the shrimp using a pair of kitchen scissors. Remove the vein and rinse under cold water.
