Mastering the Perfect Cook on Succulent Jumbo Tiger Shrimp

Tiger shrimp, also known as jumbo shrimp, are a sweet and delicious type of shrimp perfect for grilling, sauteing, or baking. Their large size makes them ideal for shrimp cocktails and shrimp entrees. When cooked properly, the result is plump, juicy shrimp with great texture.

Cooking jumbo tiger shrimp can seem intimidating for home cooks used to smaller shrimp sizes. But have no fear! In this guide, I’ll walk through how to choose, prep, and cook jumbo shrimp to perfection every time. Let’s get cooking!

Choosing the Best Jumbo Shrimp

When buying raw, shell-on jumbo shrimp, keep these things in mind:

• Look for: Shrimp that smells like the ocean, not fishy or ammonia-like. Translucent, tight shells. Firm meat.

• Avoid: Spotty, yellowing shells. Cloudy appearance. Odor of ammonia indicating old shrimp.

• Size: Tiger shrimp are typically labeled 16/20, meaning 16-20 shrimp per pound. The bigger the number, the smaller the shrimp.

• Color: Raw tiger shrimp have a blue-gray tint. Color deepens to pink when cooked. Discoloration/spots can mean old shrimp.

• Origin: Wild-caught and sustainably farmed U.S. shrimp offer best quality and freshness. Check for country of origin.

Choosing fresh, sustainable American shrimp will give you the best flavor and texture.

Prepping Jumbo Shrimp before Cooking

Proper prep is key to evenly cooked shrimp. Here are the steps:

• Peel or leave shell on. The shells impart nice flavor but peeled is easier to eat.

• Devein by sliding a paring knife along the back and removing the digestive tract.

• Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels,

• Butterfly larger shrimp by cutting through the shells around the curve, leaving tail on.

• Skewer flat butterflied shrimp for grilling or broiling.

• Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, lemon, etc. prior to cooking.

With prepped shrimp on hand, you’re ready to cook using your preferred method.

Grilling Plump, Juicy Jumbo Shrimp

The high direct heat of grilling caramelizes the shrimp shells beautifully. Follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• Jumbo shrimp, peeled, butterflied, and skewered
• Olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon wedges

Directions:

1. Coat shrimp in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

2. Grill over direct high heat 1-2 minutes per side until opaque.

3. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over grilled shrimp.

Tips:

• Use shell-on shrimp for more flavor. Grill 2-3 minutes per side.

• Baste shrimp with garlic-herb butter or sauce for added flavor.

• Make shrimp skewers by threading 4-5 shrimp per skewer.

Grilled jumbo shrimp make an easy and impressive appetizer or main dish.

Broiling Juicy Jumbo Shrimp

For fast and flavorful broiled shrimp:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, butterflied
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Toss shrimp with oil, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Arrange in a single layer on a broiling pan.

3. Broil 4-5 inches from heat for 2 minutes. Flip and broil 1-2 more minutes until opaque.

4. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Broiling locks in moisture and adds charred flavor. Use shell-on shrimp for more flavor and juiciness.

Sauteing Tender, Garlicky Jumbo Shrimp

Buttery, garlicky sauteed shrimp are perfect over pasta, rice, or as appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Heat butter or oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

2. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 2 minutes per side until opaque.

3. Remove from heat. Toss with lemon juice and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

For the most flavor, keep shells on when sauteing. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until shrimp curl and turn opaque.

Roasting Plump and Tender Jumbo Shrimp

Roasting concentrates flavors for shrimp that’s juicy inside with crispy edges.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine or broth
• Salt and pepper
• Chopped parsley or cilantro

Directions:

1. Toss shrimp with oil, garlic, lemon slices and seasonings.

2. Roast at 425F for 5 minutes on each side until opaque.

3. Remove from oven and top with parsley and lemon juice.

Baking brings out shrimp’s natural sweetness. Use a rimmed baking sheet or oven-safe pan.

Skewering Shrimp for the Grill or Broiler

Threading shrimp onto skewers makes them easy to flip and results in even cooking.

• For grilling, use two parallel skewers to prevent spinning.

• For broiling, use a single skewer and coat with oil to prevent sticking.

• Alternate direction of each shrimp to fit snugly side by side.

• Use 4-6 shrimp per skewer depending on size. Leave a tiny space between each.

• Skewer through the outer curve or “belly” of butterflied shrimp.

Skewering helps shrimp cook fast and evenly. It also looks impressive!

Serving Suggestions for Jumbo Shrimp

Jumbo shrimp are versatile for many recipes:

• Shrimp cocktail with lemon and cocktail sauce

• Tossed into pasta, soups, salads

• Tacos, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas

• Stir fry with vegetables and rice

• Shrimp sandwiches like po’ boys

• Linguine with white wine garlic shrimp sauce

• Shrimp and veggie kabobs

• Shrimp burgers or sliders

With so many serving options, you can enjoy jumbo shrimp any night of the week!

Storing and Handling Cooked Shrimp

Here are some storage tips for enjoying leftovers:

• Refrigerate cooked shrimp for up to 4 days.

• Place cooled shrimp in an airtight container with moisture-absorbing paper towels.

• Freeze cooked shrimp for longer storage. Thaw in refrigerator before using.

• Reheat shrimp gently to avoid overcooking. Saute, stir into soups, or microwave with a damp paper towel.

Stored properly, cooked shrimp stays fresh and ready to use in recipes all week long!

Master Perfectly Cooked Jumbo Shrimp

In just a few minutes, you can have restaurant-quality shrimp ready to serve. Impress your family and friends with your shrimp cooking skills. Now get out there, grab some jumbo shrimp, and start cooking!