Mastering the Perfect Tiger Shrimp Dish: A Step-by-Step Guide

With their sweet, briny flavor and meaty texture, tiger shrimp make an impressive meal sure to wow guests. Their large size—reaching over a foot long—also gives these shrimp tremendous presence on the plate. Take your cooking skills to the next level by mastering foolproof recipes for cooking tiger shrimp.

Follow this step-by-step guide to preparing two classic tiger shrimp dishes perfect for any occasion: garlic butter shrimp and stir-fried tiger shrimp with vegetables.

Garlic Butter Tiger Shrimp

Buttery, garlicky shrimp baked in their shells—this recipe produces tender shrimp infused with rich flavor in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb tiger shrimp, shells on
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1⁄4 tsp paprika
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels Devein shrimp by slicing along the back and removing the digestive tract Leave shells on.

3. Arrange shrimp in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.

4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, oregano, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

5. Brush shrimp all over with garlic butter mixture, using all of the butter mixture to coat the shrimp.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Do not overcook.

7. Serve shrimp warm with lemon wedges for squeezing over top. Provide small bowls for discarding shells.

Stir-Fried Tiger Shrimp and Vegetables

This quick weeknight stir-fry combines tender tiger shrimp with crisp-tender vegetables in a flavorful soy-ginger sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb tiger shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 4 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1⁄2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 scallions, sliced, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add shrimp and cook 1 minute per side until just turning pink. Remove to a plate.

4. Add broccoli, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger to skillet. Stir-fry 3 minutes until starting to soften.

5. Return shrimp to skillet and add soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. Toss to coat and cook 1 minute until shrimp are opaque.

6. Remove from heat. Garnish with scallions.

7. Serve shrimp and veggies over steamed rice.

Tips for Cooking Tiger Shrimp

Follow these tips for perfect tiger shrimp every time:

• Buy fresh or frozen raw tiger shrimp. Look for plump, firm shrimp with the shell on.

• Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge before cooking.

• Peel, devein, and rinse shrimp just before cooking to prevent sticking.

• Avoid overcooking. Tiger shrimp cook fast. They turn from translucent to opaque and pink when done.

• Enhance flavor by marinating shrimp in olive oil, herbs, garlic, citrus, or Asian sauces before cooking.

• Cook shrimp in a single layer with space between each one for even cooking.

• Use medium-high heat for stir-frying or grilling to prevent overcooking.

• Bake, broil or grill shrimp in their shells for more moisture and flavor.

• Pair shrimp with vegetables, rice, pasta or bread to round out a meal.

More Tempting Tiger Shrimp Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try out more tasty ways to cook tiger shrimp:

• Grilled tiger shrimp skewers – Brush peeled shrimp with olive oil, lime juice, chili powder and cumin. Thread on skewers and grill.

• Coconut curry tiger shrimp – Saute shrimp in red curry paste and coconut milk. Serve over rice.

• Tiger shrimp scampi – Sauté shrimp with garlic, white wine, lemon juice and parsley over linguine.

• Tiger shrimp ceviche – Marinate raw shrimp in lime juice, chili peppers, onions, cilantro and tomato.

• Tiger shrimp tacos – Stuff warmed tortillas with creamy slaw and Cajun spiced grilled tiger shrimp.

• Tiger shrimp fried rice – Stir-fry shrimp with rice, peas, carrots, onions and eggs.

With their impressive size and mildly sweet taste, tiger shrimp are a versatile ingredient that shines in a variety of global dishes. Apply these easy cooking methods for flawless tiger shrimp any night of the week. Your family and friends will be wowed by these succulent seafood creations.