How to Arrange a Stunning Shrimp Platter for Your Next Gathering

A beautifully arranged shrimp platter makes for an elegant and tasty centerpiece at any gathering Impress your guests with a platter piled high with succulent shrimp and artfully garnished to perfection

Arranging a shrimp platter may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple with some easy tips and tricks In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, from selecting the best shrimp to creative presentation ideas Follow along and you’ll have a showstopping shrimp platter ready for your next cocktail party, game day get-together, or festive meal.

Step 1: Pick the Perfect Shrimp

The starting point for any great shrimp platter is, of course, the shrimp itself! Here are some tips for choosing shrimp that will wow your guests:

• Go for fresh or frozen shrimp – Fresh is best if you can get it, but premium-quality frozen shrimp thawed overnight in the fridge also works great. Avoid canned or pre-cooked shrimp which tend to have an inferior texture.

• Choose your shrimp size – Jumbo shrimp around 16-20 per pound are ideal for a platter, as they make a nice visual impact. But smaller shrimp can also work well.

• Buy shell-on or peeled – Either work fine, so choose based on your prep preference. Shell-on shrimp look lovely on a platter but do require de-shelling.

• Get tail-on shrimp – Shrimp with the tails still on have the best presentation for a platter.

• Always devein – For clean flavor and appearance, be sure to devein your shrimp by removing the digestive tract.

I recommend purchasing 1-1.5 lbs of shrimp per 4-5 guests when planning your platter.

Step 2: Cook the Shrimp Perfectly

Now it’s time to cook up your shrimp just right. Here are two easy methods:

Boiling:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add the shrimp and cook for just 1-2 minutes until opaque and curled.
• Drain and immediately plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking.

Sautéing:

• Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Cook shrimp 1-2 minutes per side until opaque and pink.
• Transfer to a plate to stop cooking.

Both methods yield tender, flavorful shrimp ready for your platter!

Step 3: Prep Your Platter and Garnishes

While the shrimp cooks, gather your serving platter and prep any garnishes. Here are some ideas:

Platter: Use a wide, flat platter, tray, or even a large rimmed baking sheet. Long, narrow platters can cause overcrowding.

Garnishes:

• Lemon and/or lime wedges
• Fresh herb sprigs like dill, parsley or cilantro
• Chilled crab legs, lobster chunks, or oysters
• Cucumber, celery, or jicama slices or sticks
• Edible flowers
• Lemon slices or wheels
• Microgreens or salad greens

Prepare all garnishes and arrange attractively on the platter sides and ends, leaving room for the shrimp in the center.

Step 4: Make Your Dipping Sauces

No shrimp platter is complete without delicious sauces for dunking and drizzling. Set out small bowls for each sauce:

• Cocktail sauce – Mix chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and a pinch of Old Bay.

• Remoulade – Combine mayo, stone-ground mustard, capers, cornichons, herbs, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning.

• Garlic aioli – Stir minced garlic into softened mayonnaise along with lemon juice.

• Sriracha mayo – Blend sriracha, lime juice, and mayo.

Make the sauces up to 5 days ahead so they’re ready to go for your platter.

Step 5: Artfully Arrange the Shrimp

Now for the fun part – piling on the succulent shrimp! Have your cooked, chilled shrimp handy along with any additional garnishes. Now arrange the shrimp and garnishes however you’d like. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Mound shrimp attractively in the center, leaving the tails facing out.
• Alternate directions of the shrimp for visual interest.
• Scatter any extra garnishes like lemon slices and herbs around the shrimp.
• Create height by mounding shrimp on top of each other. Insert lemon slices in gaps to add color.
• Skewer shrimp on picks placed throughout the pile for drama.
• Layer shrimp and other seafood like crab and oysters together.
• Place whole shrimp and lemon slices along the rim for a pretty finish.

Take your time playing with different looks to achieve the platter style you love!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your platter is arranged to perfection, pop any sauces into small bowls with serving spoons. Place the platter on a tray lined with ice to keep chilled, if desired. Then serve immediately and bask in all of the oohs and ahhs over your culinary masterpiece!

Some tips for serving:

• Provide cocktail napkins and forks or picks for easy eating.
• Garnish the rim with additional lemon slices and herbs just before serving for freshness.
• Keep platter on ice or return to fridge between servings to keep chilled.
• Refill ice and garnishes as needed if serving over an extended period.

Now your guests can dig into the succulent shrimp and enjoy pairing them with the sauces and garnishes you’ve so thoughtfully included. A stunning shrimp platter is sure to elevate any occasion into an elegant affair.

Shrimp Platter Inspiration

Need a little extra inspiration for arranging your beautiful shrimp platter? Here are some quick ideas to spark your creativity:

• Shape shrimp into a wreath shape with heads facing in and tails poking out. Fill center with lemon slices and herb sprigs.

• Alternate directions, stacking shrimp into a pyramid shape with lemon wheels marking each layer.

• Cover platter completely in a single layer of shrimp for a dense, bountiful look. Outline the rim with contrasting long dill sprigs.

• Skewer shrimp and slice of lemon alternately on short skewers laid diagonally across platter.

• Place shrimp heads facing out around rim of platter. Fill center with crab legs and oysters shells. Garnish with microgreens.

• Create sections on platter with sprigs of herbs. Fill each section with shrimp facing different directions for interest.

The options for designing a breathtaking shrimp platter are endless. Approach it like an art project and have fun coming up with your own unique arrangement. Your guests are sure to be impressed with your appetizing masterpiece.

FAQs About Arranging a Shrimp Platter

How long can a shrimp platter last out at room temperature?

Keep your shrimp platter chilled with ice to maximize freshness. For best quality and food safety, serve within 2 hours of preparing.

What’s the best way to prevent shrimp from drying out on a platter?

Chilling the cooked shrimp until ready to serve helps lock in moisture. Ice under the platter also keeps shrimp cool. Finally, adding moisture-rich garnishes like lemon slices prevents drying.

Should I arrange the shrimp in any particular direction?

Varying the directions of shrimp creates visual interest. But placing them with tails flipped out on the rim helps showcase their shape. Take a loose, artistic approach to arranging.

Can I assemble the platter a day ahead?

Yes! Cook shrimp, prepare sauces, and prep garnishes a day ahead. Chill components separately overnight. Drain shrimp well before arranging on platter just before serving.

What should I use to pick up the shrimp easily?

Provide small forks or appetizer picks so guests can easily spear shrimp. Cocktail napkins are also useful for messy fingers.

How much shrimp do I need per person?

Plan on 6-8 medium shrimp per person, depending on the other foods being served. For a larger appetizer portion or main dish, allow 12-15 shrimp per person.

The Takeaway on Arranging a Showstopping Shrimp Platter

With fresh, perfectly cooked shrimp and a beautifully garnished platter, you’re sure to have a new go-to appetizer for all of your gatherings. Don’t be intimidated by the arrangement – just get creative with the shape and directions of the shrimp and garnishes. Vary textures, colors, and components to make your platter unique. Chill components properly and serve shrimps within a few hours for quality and food safety. Now get ready to soak up all those compliments on your new shrimp platter skills!