Cooking Shrimp Just Right

4 days ago
1 min read

Juicy shrimp comes down to buying well, thawing gently, drying thoroughly, and pulling it from the heat at the right moment.

What This Guide Covers

Shrimp is one of the most forgiving proteins you can cook - until it is not. The line between juicy and rubbery is about two minutes, and most overcooked shrimp happen because people are not sure when to pull them off the heat.

This guide covers how to buy shrimp, how to prep it, and how to cook it so it comes out right.

How to Buy Shrimp

Most shrimp sold in grocery stores has already been frozen and thawed. Buying it frozen yourself and thawing at home is usually the better move because you control when it thaws.

How to Thaw Shrimp Fast

Place frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for 5 to 10 minutes. They thaw quickly and are ready to cook. Do not use hot water because it starts cooking the outside before the inside thaws.

Pat dry with paper towels before cooking. Dry shrimp sear instead of steam, which means better texture and more flavor.

The Doneness Signal

Shrimp tell you exactly when they are done. Raw shrimp is gray and translucent. Properly cooked shrimp is pink and opaque with a gentle C-shape curl. Overcooked shrimp curls into a tight O and becomes rubbery.