Shrimp tend to curl up into tight little C shapes when you cook them. This can lead to uneven cooking, especially if you are breading or battering the shrimp. Undercooked batter in the center is not very appealing! Fortunately, there are some simple tricks to keep shrimp nice and straight while cooking.
Why Shrimp Curl Up
Shrimp curl because of the muscle structure in their abdomen. As the shrimp cooks, the muscle fibers contract and cause the shrimp to flex into a curled shape. This is a totally natural reaction.
The degree of curling depends on a few factors
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Size of the shrimp – Smaller shrimp tend to curl more tightly than jumbo shrimp.
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Cooking method – Boiling, steaming, sauteing, and grilling all lead to curling. Frying curls shrimp less since the hot oil quickly sets the proteins.
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Freshness – Older, frozen shrimp seem to curl more than fresh never-frozen shrimp.
So if you want straight shrimp, you need to work against the natural tendency to curl during cooking.
Tips to Keep Shrimp Straight
Luckily there are some easy methods to keep shrimp from curling up too much while cooking.
1. Make Slices in the Shrimp
Making small cuts on the inside curve of the shrimp helps prevent tight curling. You can make one or two slits along the backside of each shrimp. Keep the cuts shallow to avoid the shrimp falling apart.
These “release cuts” break up the muscle segments on the inside of the shrimp. This prevents them from contracting into a tight C shape. The shrimp will still have a natural curve, but won’t be tightly coiled.
This trick works great for breaded shrimp. The slits allow steam to escape during frying or baking so the coating cooks through. No more gummy breading!
2. Butterfly the Shrimp
Butterflying means cutting the shrimp almost in half lengthwise, then opening it up like a book. This exposes more surface area for even frying or grilling.
Flip the shrimp over and make a shallow cut down the back 3/4 of the length of the shrimp. Don’t cut all the way through – leave the bottom 1/4 connected like a hinge.
Gently open up the two halves. The shrimp should lie pretty flat after this.
Butterflying works best for grilling or pan searing. It allows you to get nice char on the shrimp. The presentation looks nice too.
3. Skewer the Shrimp
Threading shrimp onto skewers is great for grilling or broiling. The skewer helps keep the shrimp straight as they cook.
Use straightened metal skewers or soaked wooden skewers. Thread the shrimp through the center, entering below the head and exiting after the tail.
Push the shrimp together lightly so they lay flat. Grill the skewers over direct heat just until the shrimp turn pink.
Skewering is fast for weeknight meals. It also gives you those perfect grill marks!
4. Place a Weight on Shrimp
For pan frying or sautéing shrimp, a small weight can help press them flat. Choose a heatproof item like a bacon press, grill press, or another smaller pan.
Heat your pan over medium high heat. Add a bit of oil then the shrimp in a single layer. Place the weight directly on top of the shrimp.
The weight will gently press down on the shrimp to keep them straight and ensure even cooking. Flip the shrimp halfway through.
This method is ideal for getting nice browning on sauteed shrimp. Just don’t walk away – you’ll need to watch closely so the shrimp don’t overcook.
5. Buy Already Straight Shrimp
You can actually purchase shrimp that have been treated to stay straight through cooking. Look for terms like “E-Z peel” or “tail-on butterfly” at the seafood counter.
These are raw shrimp that have been partially cut or pierced so they lie flat. This prep work has already been done for you!
Of course, these special shrimp cost a bit more per pound. But it can save lots of time prepping.
6. Remove the Vein
The vein along the back of the shrimp may cause extra curling when exposed to heat. Removing it helps the shrimp cook flat.
Run a paring knife along the back of the shrimp under the vein. Remove the vein with the dull side of the knife.
Deveining also improves the flavor and presentation of sauteed or grilled shrimp. No more gritty vein to bite into.
I like to devein larger shrimp like jumbos or colossal. It’s optional for smaller shrimp.
Best Cooking Methods for Straight Shrimp
Certain cooking methods set you up for the flattest shrimp:
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Pan frying lets you press shrimp flat under a weight. Use a nonstick pan for easy release.
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Grilling over direct heat gives great char while shrimp are held flat by skewers or butterflying.
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Broiling works similar to grilling. Line a sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup.
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Baking breaded or battered shrimp requires slits or butterflying first. Then bake at 425°F until crispy.
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Air frying gives you flat, crispy battered shrimp thanks to the circulating hot air.
Boiling, steaming, and poaching make it harder to keep shrimp straight. The moving water increases curling.
Deep frying is fine since the hot oil sets the protein quickly before much curling can happen.
Serving Shrimp Attractively
Even if your shrimp don’t curl excessively, their presentation matters. Follow these tips for appetizing shrimp dishes:
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Alternate directions when skewer grilling shrimp for visual interest.
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Mix in flatfish like scallops or cubed fish when sautéing.
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Garnish shrimp tacos or salad with thin slices of jalapeño and radish.
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accompaniment For shrimp cocktail, serve lemon and/or cocktail sauce in mini ramekins.
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Mix breaded shrimp with cut vegetables when air frying for a pop of color.
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For scampi, sprinkle parsley and grated parmesan over sauteed shrimp right before serving.
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Chill boiled shrimp immediately after cooking to prevent over-curling.
Proper plating makes your uncurled shrimp look as good as they taste!
Put These Tricks to Use
Don’t let curled shrimp ruin your next seafood meal. With these handy tricks, you can serve flat, beautifully cooked shrimp every time.
Small incisions, butterflying, skewers, and presses are easy fixes. Or look for pre-straightened shrimp to shortcut the work.
Troubleshoot your cooking method as well. Opt for dry heat over boiling to minimize curling.
Follow my tips for irresistible shrimp dishes your guests will rave about. No one wants to eat a plate of shrimp knots! Use these tricks to showcase plump, straight, perfectly cooked shrimp on your table.
“How Can I Cook Tender Shrimp, and How Can I Keep Them from Curling?
How do you keep shrimp from curling?
Turn the shrimp over so that the underside is facing upward. Make a slight (1/4 inch) cut approximate 1/3 of the way from the front and back end of the shrimp — these release cuts will keep the shrimp from curling. See Step 3 for another way to keep shrimp from curling during the cooking process. Lay the shrimp so that the belly is facing up.
How do you prevent shrimp from getting soggy?
To prevent shrimp from getting soggy, don’t let them soak in water. The next best way is to seal them tightly in a Ziploc bag with all the air pressed out and then run cold water over the bag for five to 10 minutes. Do not use warm or hot water, and do not run water over them without the bag.
How do you stop shrimp from cooking?
Plunge the shrimp in cold water to stop the cooking process. If you’re not going to eat your shrimp right away, quickly run the shrimp under cold water or put them on ice to stop them from cooking. Don’t leave the shrimp to cool in the hot water, as that will overcook them and make them tough.
How do you cut shrimp before cooking?
Flip the shrimp over and make 2 to 3 shallow cuts with a knife on the inside curve of the shrimp. Press the shrimp flat on a cutting board to open them up before you start cooking. The cuts that you make will disconnect the underside of the shrimp, making it less likely to curl up so tightly. Should you rinse shrimp before cooking it?