How to Cook Shrimp in the Microwave Perfectly Every Time

Yes, you can (and should!) cook seafood in the microwave — especially juicy, succulent shrimp. Steaming retains the shrimps’ natural flavor and a bit of bite. There’s no need to add any oil before cooking, from fresh or frozen. Plus, they’re ready in under the time it takes you to peel a plate’s worth. Want cocktail shrimp or shrimp scampi on a weeknight? The microwave is your friend.

What’s the Point of an Anyday? Shrimp cooked in an Anyday dish take about 3–4 minutes to fully steam through. Shrimp cooks quickly on the stove or in the oven, but an Anyday dish is the most convenient way to cook, serve, store, and reheat shrimp all in one dish. Then place the Anyday dish right in the dishwasher when the shrimp has been devoured.

Cooking shrimp in the microwave is a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious seafood without much effort. With the right techniques, you can make tender, juicy, and flavorful microwave shrimp worthy of any meal.

Benefits of Microwaving Shrimp

Microwaving shrimp has several advantages over other cooking methods:

It’s incredibly fast – shrimp can be cooked from raw or thawed in just a few minutes. This makes it ideal for weeknight meals when you’re short on time.
Minimal preparation needed – no need to heat up pans or oils. Simply season, arrange in a microwave-safe dish and cook.
Retains moisture and texture – steaming in the microwave tenderizes shrimp without drying them out
Easy cleanup – cook and serve in the same dish, reducing dishes used.
Versatile – microwave shrimp can be used in a variety of recipes from tacos to pasta to salads.

Microwave Shrimp Cooking Guidelines

Follow these tips for perfect shrimp every time you microwave:

Use raw, peeled shrimp – Look for fresh or thawed, peeled and deveined shrimp Frozen shrimp works too but may need extra time.
Season before cooking – Toss or drizzle shrimp with oil, spices, herbs and seasonings for flavor.
Arrange in a single layer – Spread shrimp out on a microwave-safe dish so they cook evenly.
Use a lid or cover – Covering traps steam to thoroughly cook the shrimp. Vent the lid slightly so steam can escape.
Cook in 1-minute increments – Microwave shrimp in 1-minute bursts, checking frequently to prevent overcooking.
Let stand 1-2 minutes – Once opaque and pink, let shrimp stand covered to finish cooking with residual heat.

How to Tell When Shrimp is Done

It’s important not to overcook shrimp or they can become rubbery. Check doneness by:

Color – Shrimp turn from grayish to solid opaque pink when fully cooked.
Texture – Properly cooked shrimp are firm but still juicy, not mushy.
Size – Shrimp curl and shrink slightly when cooked through.
Temperature – Shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

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Cooking Times for Shrimp

Microwave cooking times for shrimp can vary based on several factors:

Microwave wattage – Higher wattages cook faster; lower wattages take longer.
Amount of shrimp – Smaller batches need less time than larger.
Size of shrimp – Larger shrimp require longer cook time.
Frozen vs. Thawed – Add a couple minutes for frozen shrimp.

Use these general microwave shrimp cooking times as a starting point:

Shrimp Amount	Cook Time
8 oz (225g)	1-2 minutes
16 oz (450g)	2-3 minutes
24 oz (680g)	3-4 minutes

Adjust cook times up or down as needed to reach doneness. Check shrimp frequently as microwaves do vary.

10 Easy Microwave Shrimp Recipes

Beyond basic steamed shrimp, the microwave makes fast work of all kinds of flavorful shrimp dishes:

Lemon Pepper Shrimp – Season with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper.
Coconut Curry Shrimp – Toss shrimp in red curry paste and light coconut milk.
Cajun Shrimp – Spice it up with Cajun seasoning, peppers and onion.
Garlic Shrimp Scampi – Sauté shrimp with garlic, butter, white wine and parsley.
Shrimp Fajitas – Mix shrimp with fajita seasoning, peppers and onion.
Teriyaki Shrimp – Glaze shrimp in a sweet and salty teriyaki marinade.
Shrimp Fried Rice – Stir-fry shrimp with rice, peas, carrots and eggs.
Honey Soy Shrimp – Caramelize shrimp in a honey soy glaze for an easy appetizer.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp – Crisp up bacon around juicy shrimp for a party treat.
Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo – Simmer shrimp, sausage and veggies in a rich roux-based stew.

The options for microwave shrimp recipes are endless. Let your imagination run wild!

Step-By-Step Microwave Shrimp Recipe

This simple 3-step microwave shrimp recipe makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner:

Ingredients:

1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

Combine olive oil or butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper in a microwave-safe dish. Add shrimp and mix until evenly coated.
Cover dish with a lid or plastic wrap, venting slightly. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, until shrimp are pink and opaque.
Remove from microwave and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy shrimp as is or use in your favorite recipes.

Microwaved shrimp also pair perfectly with rice or pasta for a fast and delicious meal straight from the microwave.

Tips for Reheating Leftover Shrimp

Have leftover cooked shrimp? Here’s how to reheat them to perfection:

Place shrimp in a single layer in a microwavable container with a splash of water or broth to rehydrate.
Cover and microwave in 30 second intervals just until warmed through. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
For crispy texture, spread on a plate and microwave without cover until slightly browned.
You can also sauté or stir-fry leftover shrimp briefly to reheat.
Mix into pasta, salads, tacos or rice dishes and gently reheat through.
For convenience, cool and freeze leftover shrimp to reheat and enjoy later.

Common Microwave Shrimp Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to over or undercook shrimp in the microwave if you’re not careful. Here are some common mistakes:

Cooking too many shrimp crowded together can lead to uneven cooking. Spread in a single layer.
Not covering the dish dries shrimp out. Use a lid or vented plastic wrap.
Starting with frozen shrimp without defrosting can make shrimp rubbery. Thaw first.
Walking away while cooking leads to overcooking. Stay close and stir periodically.
Using low power requires longer cook times. Use high power for fastest results.
Skipping a standing time prevents shrimp from finishing cooking. Rest for 1-2 minutes.

With the right techniques, microwave shrimp turns out tender and juicy every time. For fast, fuss-free seafood, turn to your microwave and enjoy shrimp in minutes any night of the week. Experiment with different seasonings and recipes until you find your favorites. Soon you’ll have go-to microwave shrimp dishes that will become weekly staples your family will ask for again and again.

how to cook shrimp in the microwave

Step by Step: Microwaving Shrimp

Place shrimp in one layer in an Anyday Shallow Dish

Cover with the lid (knob lifted).

Cook in the microwave.

Shrimp is ready when opaque and pink.

How to microwave cooked shrimp from frozen?

Frozen, pre-cooked shrimp are ready to eat as soon as they are thawed. To heat frozen shrimp in the microwave, put 1 teaspoon of water in the dish, cover it, and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, or until the shrimp are warm all the way through.

How to Cook Shrimp in Microwave

How do you cook frozen shrimp in a microwave?

Pour pre-cooked frozen shrimp in a bowl. Add at least a tablespoon of butter. Microwave 2 minutes, then test to see if warm all the way through. The water in the shrimp mixes with the butter and the shrimp is not over cooked. The broth is tasty enough to drink. Salt and pepper to taste. If you have a lemon packet, you know what to do.

Can you cook raw shrimp in a microwave?

1. Place the raw shrimp in a microwave-safe dish. 2. Season the shrimp with your desired spices or marinade. 3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. 4. Cook the shrimp on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. 5.

Can you cook leftover shrimp in the microwave?

If you want to heat your shrimp, start by putting the leftover into a microwave-safe container. Stir the leftover dish and coat the shrimp with some vegetables and liquid. This is to prevent the shrimp from drying out or getting rubbery when microwaving. Once that is done, cover the top of the shrimp using paper towels to avoid splatters.

How long do you cook a pound of shrimp in the microwave?

Allow it to sit and cool in the microwave for one minute after it is finished cooking. If you want to make this a meal for yourself and not cook an entire pound of shrimp, then cook half of a pound for just 2 minutes. Remove to stir halfway through.