How Long You Boil Shrimp for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time

Shrimp cooks quickly. The key is to take them out before they get tough and let them cool down to stop the cooking. Your shrimp will be ready in less than 5 minutes! Easy Peasy. You may be wondering what I did with all these boiled shrimp.

First, I mustered up all of my self-control not to devour them after I finished taking pictures. I then cut them up and added them to the best shrimp and avocado salsa (a recipe can be found here).

Shrimp is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from appetizers to main courses. However, cooking shrimp properly is key – overcooking leads to rubbery, tasteless shrimp while undercooking poses health risks. So how long should you boil shrimp to get it just right?

The cooking time for boiling shrimp depends on several factors

Shrimp Size

Shrimp is categorized by size or by how many shrimp there are per pound The smaller the shrimp, the less time it needs to cook Here are common shrimp sizes

Colossal – under 10 per pound
Jumbo – 11-15 per pound
Extra Large – 16-20 per pound
Large – 21-30 per pound
Medium – 31-40 per pound
Small – 41-50 per pound

Jumbo, extra large and large shrimp are commonly found at grocery stores. The larger the shrimp, the longer it will need to boil.

Shrimp Condition

Raw shrimp cooks faster than frozen shrimp. Thawing frozen shrimp first in the refrigerator allows for more even cooking.
Shell-on shrimp takes a little longer to cook than peeled shrimp since the shells help insulate the meat.
Deveined shrimp cooks quicker than shrimp with the vein still intact.

So raw, peeled, deveined shrimp will boil the fastest.

Water Amount

Having ample boiling water is key for even cooking. Use at least 2 quarts of water for every pound of shrimp you are cooking. More water is fine as long as the pot is covered so the water returns to a boil quickly.

Boiling Shrimp Cook Times

Here are general guidelines for boiling times based on shrimp size, condition and amount of water:

For Raw Shrimp

Small (41-50 per pound): 30 seconds
Medium (31-40 per pound): 1 minute
Large (21-30 per pound): 2 minutes
Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 3 minutes
Colossal (10 per pound or less): 4 minutes

For Frozen Shrimp

Small (41-50 per pound): 1 minute
Medium (31-40 per pound): 1 1/2 minutes
Large (21-30 per pound): 3 minutes
Jumbo (16-20 per pound): 4 minutes
Colossal (10 per pound or less): 5 minutes

These times are for peeled and deveined shrimp. Add 30 seconds to 1 minute if using shell-on shrimp.

How to Tell When Shrimp is Cooked

In addition to following boil times, you can check doneness by looking for visual cues:

Color change – The shrimp will turn from grey to pinkish orange when fully cooked.
Curling – The shrimp will curl up into a “C” shape when done.
Floating – Fully cooked shrimp will float to the top of the pot.
Flesh opacity – The center should be opaque, not translucent when shrimp is adequately cooked.

If shrimp isn’t yet fully cooked, continue simmering and start testing every 30 seconds until it is. Undercooked shrimp poses health risks so it’s better to err on the side of overcooking slightly.

Step-by-Step Boiling Shrimp Instructions

Fill a large pot with water – use 2 quarts per pound of shrimp. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
Bring the salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add shrimp and stir once to prevent sticking.
Cover pot, return to a boil and start timer based on shrimp size above.
After timer goes off, check a few shrimp for doneness. If needed, simmer 30 seconds to 1 minute longer.
Drain shrimp in a colander and immediately run under cold water or place in ice bath to stop cooking.

It’s that easy to perfectly boil shrimp in just a few minutes! Now you can use boiled shrimp in any recipe from shrimp scampi to shrimp salad. Don’t overcook shrimp again!

Cooking Variations for Boiled Shrimp

Beyond basic boiling, there are a few flavor variations you can try:

Cajun boiled shrimp – Add Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper to the boiling water.
Old Bay shrimp boil – Use Old Bay seasoning instead of plain salt for the water.
Beer boiled shrimp – Swap the water for beer such as a pilsner or lager. Reduce boiling time by 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Lemon garlic shrimp – Add halved lemons and smashed garlic cloves to the pot.
New England shrimp boil – Toss halved new potatoes, corn on the cob and kielbasa in the pot with the shrimp.

So switch up your boiled shrimp with different seasonings or turn it into a one-pot meal.

Serving Boiled Shrimp

Basic boiled shrimp makes a wonderful appetizer or as an addition to main dishes and salads. Here are some tasty ways to serve cooked shrimp:

Chilled with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges for shrimp cocktail
In shrimp tacos or burritos with avocado and pico de gallo
Over a salad with lettuce, tomatoes and boiled egg
Mixed into seafood pasta with a garlicky tomato sauce
Scattered on top of tacos or nachos
In gumbo, jambalaya or étouffée

The possibilities are endless! Just be sure not to overcook that precious shrimp.

So now you know exactly how long to boil shrimp for perfect, juicy shrimp every time. Follow the simple boil guidelines based on shrimp size, condition and amount of water. Boil shrimp properly in just a few minutes for amazing shrimp recipes. Your family and guests will be impressed!

Frequency of Entities:
how long you boil shrimp: 15
shrimp size: 6
raw shrimp: 3
frozen shrimp: 3
peeled shrimp: 2
deveined shrimp: 2
shell-on shrimp: 3
water amount: 2
boiling shrimp cook times: 1
how to tell when shrimp is cooked: 1
step-by-step boiling shrimp instructions: 1
cooking variations for boiled shrimp: 1
serving boiled shrimp: 1

how long you boil shrimp

How to Boil Shrimp:

Watch my quick video on how to peel and devein shrimp here. 1. Put the shrimp shells, 1 tablespoon of garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and a bay leaf in a large saucepan. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over med/high heat.

2. Once water boils, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and simmer until pink, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. Drain and transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and let cool.

Use them in any recipe that calls for cooked shrimp, like that shrimp salsa I can’t wait to share with you. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce. I’ll post it A. S. A. P.

P. S. What is your favorite, I mean VERY favorite shrimp recipe? Or do you just like them dipped in cocktail sauce? Yum!

Ingredients for Boiled Shrimp:

1. 15 pounds of raw shrimp, which is about 1 pound when cooked

How to Boil Shrimp | How Long to Boil Shrimp | Boiling Shrimp

FAQ

How long does it take to boil raw shrimp?

Once water boils, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and simmer until pink, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. Drain and transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and let cool.

How do you know when shrimp is done in a boil?

Perfectly cooked shrimp will be opaque with a color ranging from pink or orange, depending on variety. Their tails should curl in slightly to make a C-shape. Overcooked shrimp will be a solid white-pink color, with their tails completely curled into a tight circle.

How long to boil raw frozen shrimp?

The cooking time for boiling frozen shrimp can vary depending on the size of the shrimp. Generally, you should boil them for about 3 to 5 minutes until they turn pink and firm. Overcooking can result in rubbery shrimp, so be mindful of the time.

How long will shrimp boil last?

Cooked shrimp last in the fridge for three to four days. If you need to reheat shrimp, we recommend doing so using the method it was originally cooked with.

How long do you boil shrimp before cooking?

Stir in all aromatics except lemon (if using), and bring the water to a boil. While you’re waiting, fill up a large bowl with ice—this is how you’ll cool your shrimp after they boil so they don’t overcook. When the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.

How do you boil a pound of shrimp?

Here’s how to boil shrimp in three simple steps: Fill a medium-large pot of water half-full, about 2 quarts (2 liters) of water per pound of shrimp. Bring to a rolling boil and add the shrimp. Simmer until the time’s up or they float. Drain and cover with cold water or ice water to stop the cooking process. How to tell when shrimp is done?

How do you cool shrimp after boiling?

Fill a large pot with water until a little more than halfway full. Stir in all aromatics except lemon (if using), and bring the water to a boil. While you’re waiting, fill up a large bowl with ice—this is how you’ll cool your shrimp after they boil so they don’t overcook.

How do you cook already cooked shrimp?

To cook already cooked shrimp, add it to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and let cool. This Quick and Easy Boiled Shrimp Recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen suggests adding 8 cups water and bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water boils, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and simmer until pink, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size.