Demystifying EZ Peel Shrimp: A Complete Guide

EZ peel shrimp have become increasingly popular in recent years, loved by home cooks and professional chefs alike. But what exactly are EZ peel shrimp and what makes them different than regular shrimp? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify EZ peel shrimp and explain everything you need to know about this fantastic seafood.

What Are EZ Peel Shrimp?

EZ peel shrimp, also sometimes called easy peel shrimp, are shrimp that have been specially prepared to make them much easier to peel than regular shell-on shrimp.

While regular shell-on shrimp require some effort to remove the shell, EZ peel shrimp have a small cut made along the back of the shell. This allows you to easily tear the shell off in one piece without needing to fuss with a shrimp deveiner tool.

The shrimp meat inside remains untouched and is completely intact. Only the shell itself is altered to make peeling a breeze.

How Are EZ Peel Shrimp Prepared?

The special EZ peel preparation happens right after the shrimp are caught and processed Here are the steps

• Shrimp are caught in the wild using traps or nets. They are then transported to a processing facility.

• At the factory, shrimp are beheaded and the legs are removed, leaving the tails on.

• A small cut is made along the back of each shrimp shell using a specialized machine. This perforates the shell so it can be peeled off easier.

• The EZ peel shrimp are then packaged and frozen to maintain freshness until they are shipped.

So the only difference between EZ peel and regular shrimp is that small slit in the shell. The shrimp itself is untouched!

What Are The Benefits of EZ Peel Shrimp?

There are a few reasons why EZ peel shrimp have become so popular:

They Are Faster to Prepare

Since the shell comes right off, you save lots of time prepping EZ peel shrimp compared to regular shrimp. No need to wrestle with shelling and deveining raw shrimp – just peel and go!

More User-Friendly

The easy peel preparation makes shrimp accessible to more home cooks. Peeling regular shrimp can be frustrating for those lacking experience preparing seafood. EZ peel takes the hassle out of prepping shrimp.

Great for Cooking Applications

EZ peel shrimp provide flexibility in cooking. Leave the shell on for grilling or sautéing to get that delicious roasted shrimp flavor. Or easily peel it off if you’ll be adding the shrimp to soups, pasta, or salad.

Maintain Flavor and Texture

Unlike pre-peeled shrimp, EZ peel shrimp retain their just-caught quality. Peeling doesn’t damage the delicate flesh like industrial machines can.

Are There Any Downsides to EZ Peel Shrimp?

The only potential downside is that containers of EZ peel shrimp may have some variability in sizing since they undergo minimal processing. Regular peeled and deveined shrimp tend to be more uniform in size.

However, the convenience of EZ peel outweighs this minor issue for most home cooks, who often don’t mind some variability in shrimp sizes.

When Would I Use EZ Peel vs. Regular Shrimp?

Here are some guidelines on when EZ peel shrimp are preferable over regular shrimp:

• If a recipe calls for peeled shrimp, EZ peel allows you to buy shell-on shrimp but easily peel them yourself. This results in maximum flavor and texture.

• For sautéing, grilling, broiling and other cooking methods where you’ll initially cook the shrimp with the shells on, EZ peel shrimp are ideal.

• If you want raw shrimp for making ceviche, cocktail, or shrimp rolls, go with EZ peel so you don’t have to do any prep work.

• For shrimp salads, pasta, gumbo, or soups, EZ peel also saves you time since you can easily peel as many shrimp as you need.

Regular peeled, deveined shrimp are better suited for:

• Recipes where uniform size is important, like shrimp skewers or lobster rolls where the shrimp are the star.

• Dishes where the shrimp are added at the end, like stir frys or fried rice. The peeled shrimp will hold up better.

What Shrimp Sizes Are Available as EZ Peel?

EZ peel shrimp come in a variety of sizes to suit any recipe. Here are some of the most common sizes available:

• Colossal (U10 or less): These jumbo shrimp have under 10 shrimp per pound. Perfect for shrimp cocktails or scampi.

• Extra Jumbo (U12/15): With 12-15 shrimp per pound, these are also quite large and work well for sautéing, grilling, and skewering.

• Jumbo (16/20): The 16 to 20 count per pound range is considered jumbo and is a nice middle ground. Great for salads, pastas, and stir frys.

• Large (21/25 to 26/30): With 21 to 30 shrimp in a pound, these make a nice appetizer shrimp or are perfect for gumbos or Creole dishes.

• Medium (31/35 to 41/50): Often used for shrimp rolls, brothy dishes, and classic shrimp boils.

So you’ll find EZ peel options whether you like snacking on a few colossal shrimp or need lots of average sized ones for seafood stews.

Where Can I Buy EZ Peel Shrimp?

You can find EZ peel shrimp both fresh and frozen at many grocery stores, especially in the Gulf Coast region. Major retailers like Kroger and Publix usually carry them.

Keep an eye out for them near other seafood like raw oysters and meat counters. They’ll typically be labeled as “EZ Peel” on the packaging or signage.

EZ peel shrimp can also be ordered online and shipped overnight from seafood companies near prime fishing waters like the Gulf of Mexico. This ensures you get the freshest, just-caught shrimp direct to your door no matter where you live.

Online retailers like Biloxi Shrimp Co offer a nice selection of EZ peel shrimp sizes to choose from and overnight shipping on ice to deliver that fresh-off-the-boat quality.

How Should I Store EZ Peel Shrimp?

Since EZ peel shrimp are often sold raw in the shell, proper storage is important. Here are some tips:

• If buying fresh EZ peel shrimp, keep refrigerated at all times during transport and use within 1-2 days for best quality.

• Place fresh EZ peel shrimp in a container on ice or on a tray over ice packs to maintain temperature.

• Frozen EZ peel shrimp can be kept frozen for 2-3 months for optimal flavor. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

• Once thawed or peeled, EZ peel shrimp are delicate. Use peeled shrimp within a day and keep chilled on ice or in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

Following the proper handling procedures will preserve the delicious just-caught texture of EZ peel shrimp.

How Do I Prepare EZ Peel Shrimp?

One of the best parts about EZ peel shrimp is that preparing them couldn’t be easier! Here are some quick tips:

• Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water. This helps thaw frozen EZ peel shrimp or freshen up fresh ones.

• Gently peel the shell off starting from the perforated cut. It should come off in one piece without sticking.

• Finish rinsing the peeled shrimp and pat dry if needed. The shrimp are now ready to cook as desired!

• Optionally, you can devein the shrimp by slicing along the back and removing the digestive tract. But this step is not essential.

• For sautéing or grilling, leave the shell on for added flavor and peel after cooking.

That’s all it takes! Now you can sauté, skewer, bake, grill or add your shrimp to any dish you love.

Tips for Cooking EZ Peel Shrimp

EZ peel shrimp offer versatility in cooking methods. Here are some top tips:

• For maximum flavor, grill, broil or sauté shrimp with the shell on. The shells protect the delicate meat and impart sweetness. Peel after cooking.

• Boiling EZ peel shrimp results in plump, tender shrimp perfect for shrimp cocktail or dips. Add spices to the boil for extra flavor.

• Bake peeled EZ peel shrimp in dishes like seafood casseroles, pasta bakes or shrimp scampi. The shrimp cook gently surrounded by sauce.

• Peeled EZ peel shrimp excel in salads, burritos, tacos, and wraps since they are ready to eat.

• For shrimp skewers, soak bamboo skewers before threading peeled EZ peel shrimp on them to prevent sticking and rotating the shrimp