There’s no denying it, people love seafood.
In fact, according to a survey conducted by NPD Group, Americans eat about $2 billion worth of seafood every year.
That’s not surprising considering how delicious many types of fish and shellfish can be.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Shrimp?
If you want to make sure your shrimp are perfectly cooked, there are several different methods available to you.
The first thing to remember when cooking shrimp is that they do have a tendency to turn rubbery if overcooked.
So, the key is to follow these steps carefully so as to avoid this issue.
- Shrimp should always be cleaned before being cooked. If you don’t know what to look out for, here are some signs that will let you know whether or not your shrimp needs cleaning: If the head sticks out from the body (or the tail), then the shrimp was probably too small. A large shrimp may be around 6-8 inches long, depending on size. You also shouldn’t see any dark spots along its length. These are likely blood spots, which indicate that the shrimp has been previously damaged.
- Once scrubbed clean, place them into cold water with ice cubes. Do not use hot water because the temperature won’t kill bacteria and parasites present within. Once cooled down, drain the shrimp well, making certain all the liquid is removed.
- Next, add salt and pepper to each piece, rubbing off the excess moisture. Then season the outside with lemon juice and olive oil. Place the seasoned shrimp onto a foil tray and put in an oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until fully cooked through.
- The last step is to sauté the shrimp in butter over medium heat until just golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per side.
Coconut Shrimp
For this deliciously creamy version of coconut shrimp, we took inspiration from our friends over at Cooking Light.
They created a recipe using frozen shrimp and canned coconut milk for a quick and easy shrimp dinner!
Here’s their original recipe:
Preheat broiler.
Combine cornstarch and flour in shallow bowl.
Beat eggs lightly in second shallow bowl.
In another shallow bowl combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
Season both sides of shrimp with salt and black pepper.
Dip shrimp in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, then dredge in crumb mixture.
Repeat dipping and coating process two more times.
Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Arrange shrimp on prepared pan, placing 2 shrimp to a layer.
Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat source 15 minutes or until shrimp are opaque throughout.
Serve warm with cocktail sauce.
How to Make Coconut Shrimp
To begin, start preparing your ingredients.
First, grab yourself a package of fresh shrimp, preferably 12 ounces, but smaller amounts work fine as well.
Next, pour 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut into a food processor or blender and pulse until finely ground.
Set aside.
Now, take a heavy skillet or wok and fill it up halfway with vegetable oil.
Heat oil over medium high heat.
When the oil starts to shimmer, add half of the shredded coconut and stir constantly until it turns light golden brown, about five to seven minutes.
Remove the coconut from the oil, leaving behind the slightly darker bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
After removing the coconut, continue stirring until the remaining coconut begins to turn light golden brown like the first batch.
Be careful not to burn the coconut while doing so.
Finally, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool.
After it has cooled down, line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spread the coconut across the entire surface.
Put the shrimp directly on top of the coconut.
Place the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to allow the coconut to completely adhere to the shrimp.
Next, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Farenheit.
Bake the shrimp for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through.
Remove the shrimp from the oven and serve immediately.
What Is The Difference Between White Shrimp And Pink Shrimp?
Shrimp are divided into two main categories – white and pink.
White shrimp have a bright pink color while pink shrimp look more grayish-white in appearance.
Both varieties are very similar in terms of their nutritional value, but there are some differences you should consider before deciding which one to use when cooking.
Size
White shrimp tend to be smaller than pink shrimp.
They average anywhere from 2 to 3 inches long with most measuring around 2.5 to 4 inches.
Pink shrimp on the other hand measure an inch longer at 5 to 6 inches.
Sustainability
Both white and pink shrimp are harvested from saltwater environments, so they contain high levels of sodium chloride (commonly referred to as just “salt”).
However, unlike pink shrimp, white shrimp also contains traces of iodine, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and protein.
Because of this, it is recommended that you limit yourself to consuming only 1/4 cup per week if you want to avoid any negative health effects associated with eating too much seafood.
Flavor
The flavor profile of both varieties is quite similar, although some pink shrimp may appear slightly sweeter than their white counterparts due to higher sugar content.
If you plan to make a dish like Shrimp Creole where you will need a lot of shrimp, then it might be better to go with white shrimp because they pack less calories and fat than their pink counterparts.
What Is The Difference Between Fresh Shrimp And Frozen Shrimp?
If you want to serve up some amazing seafood dishes at home, there are a couple things you need to consider before buying shrimp.
First, what type should you buy?
There are two main categories of shrimp available on the market today.
Frozen shrimp is usually sold straight from the freezer in large bags.
While this option may be convenient, they’re also very expensive.
If you live near an Asian grocery store or have access to one online, you might find yourself able to purchase them cheaper than you would if you bought them directly from Walmart.
Fresh shrimp will most likely come from local farms and fishing operations.
You’ll see these items labeled with a “USDA Grade A” seal.
These products will typically cost less than their frozen counterparts.
However, because of the time required to raise and harvest shrimp, fresh shrimp isn’t always available during all seasons.
When purchasing fresh shrimp, make sure to choose ones that look plump and firm.
They shouldn’t appear dry or slimy.
Another important factor to think about is size.
Shrimp comes in different sizes so make sure you get the right amount for your meal.
The smaller sized shrimp tend to cook faster while larger shrimp takes longer to cook through.
It’s best to start off your shrimp preparation with small shrimp since they are easier to handle and won’t take as long to finish cooking.
How Do You Know When Shrimp Is Done Cooking?
Shrimp cooks quickly, so it’s important to monitor its progress closely as they cook.
The process doesn’t take long at all but if you don’t pay attention, you might end up with overcooked shrimp.
To help ensure your shrimp are cooked just right, here’s what to look out for:
- The shells should turn opaque (or bright white).
- When you bite into one, it should feel firm but springy.
- You should see little black spots on the surface where the flesh meets the shell.
- A knife inserted into the center will come back clean.
- The shrimp should smell lightly fragrant.
Now let’s move onto how to make this deliciously scrumptious creamy coconut shrimp!
If you want more information on preparing shrimp, check out our guide to shrimp preparation.
You may also enjoy reading these recipes for fried shrimp.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Shrimp From Sticking To The Pan?
When I was growing up, my mother would always make me shrimp scampi with lemon butter sauce on top.
My brother and sister loved this dish so much they could hardly wait until we finished eating dinner before asking for seconds.
The problem was, whenever she made it, there were always shrimp shells floating around our plates as well as bits of meat stuck to the bottom of the pot where she had cooked them.
It wasn’t an attractive look at all, and it certainly didn’t help us get into any good habits!
The secret to preventing shrimp from sticking to the bottom of the pan involves using enough oil to cover the surface area of the skillet (or wok) while also adding extra ingredients like garlic, onion, and other seasonings to create a flavorful mixture that will stick to the sides and coat the shrimp.
When you add the seasoning mix to the pan, don’t forget to use tongs to turn the shrimp over after about 2 minutes of cooking time.
This prevents the shrimp from overcooking while still ensuring they are fully coated with the seasoning mix.
If you prefer not to cook your shrimp on the stovetop, consider making your own homemade stock instead of purchasing canned broth.
If you really want to go above and beyond, try making your own shrimp stock by simmering peeled, cleaned shrimp in water along with some salt and pepper for 30 minutes.
Strain and store in freezer bags for future use.
What Is The Best Way To Serve Shrimp?
Shrimp is one of those foods that everyone loves.
It has been around since prehistoric times, so you know they were probably eating this tasty morsel long before we humans even existed.
Shrimp is considered an “in-between food,” meaning it falls somewhere between meat and vegetables on the food chain.
They have more protein than other seafood but less fat than meat.
The texture of shrimp varies depending on what type of shrimp you choose, but all will cook up tender when prepared properly.
There are two main ways to prepare shrimp: steaming and sautéing.
- Steamed or boiled shrimp: Steaming is the traditional method of preparing shrimp. You simply boil them until cooked through and then remove from heat. When served raw, steamed shrimp usually come out with their shells still intact. Steamed shrimp are great if you want to save time because you don’t need to peel any shrimp first.
- Sautéed shrimp: Sautéed shrimp is similar to sauteed chicken breast. You just season the shrimp with salt and pepper and sear them over high heat in a small amount of oil until golden brown.
What Are Some Good Side Dishes To Serve With Shrimp?
When you think of shrimp recipes, one thing comes to mind – spicy Asian dishes!
While there are plenty of great ways to cook up this delicacy, you may want something more traditional when serving it as an entrée.
For instance, if you like rice pilaf, then you should definitely try out this simple but elegant recipe for Shrimp Pilaf served over Jasmine Rice.
- Sweet and Sour Shrimp
- Spicy Thai Shrimp Curry
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Coconut Shrimp
- Chicken Coconut Shrimp Stir Fry
- Seafood Paella
- Parmesan Crusted Shrimp
- Fried Catfish Fillets
- Jasmine Rice Pilaf
- Sushi Rolled Shrimp
- Crab Rangoon Rolls
- Chili Lime Tilapia Tacos
- Pan-seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce
- Baked Stuffed Trout
- Mediterranean Seafood Pasta Salad
- Salmon Cakes
- Lemon Pepper Cod
- Tuna Casserole
If you prefer to stick to non-spicy flavors, then check out these classic sides.
Roasted Vegetables
Try roasting some vegetables such as onions, carrots, and peppers along with shrimp before tossing them all together for a flavorful main course.
You could also add a handful of fresh herbs into the mix for extra flavor and texture.
Cornbread Stuffing
This stuffing is made in a bread pan so it will stay moist while cooking.
It’s delicious on its own, but you can spice things up a bit by adding any number of spices and herbs.
Try cayenne pepper, basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and white pepper.
Herb Roast Potatoes
You don’t have to make this meal complicated.
Just toss potatoes and other root veggies (like sweet potatoes) with olive oil, salt, and pepper, roast at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until tender, and top with chopped herbs just before serving.
What Are Some Good Dipping Sauces For Shrimp?
If you have ever tried eating shrimp dipped into cocktail sauce, you know what I am talking about!
It tastes great but the problem is that most commercial brands don’t contain any ingredients other than salt and MSG (monosodium glutamate).
The same thing goes for regular mayonnaise-based dips like tartar sauce.
Instead, try one of these healthier alternatives to those high sodium dips.
- Coconut milk dip – This is probably the best option if you want something sweet and savory at the same time. Coconut milk has been used as an ingredient in Thai cuisine for centuries so it makes sense that this would work well when paired with shrimp. Plus, there are plenty of ways to make this dip vegan friendly.
- Tzatziki sauce – Tzatziki is another Greek classic known to pair perfectly with shrimp and it also happens to be dairy free. If you prefer yogurt based sauces, then this will definitely fit the bill.
- Honey mustard – Honey mustard is made from real honey and is naturally gluten free. You can use this on both chicken and veggies, so it’s a versatile condiment which can go really well with seafood too.
- Thousand Island dressing – Thousand island dressing is rich and flavorful with just enough sweetness to balance out its spicy kick. Try using it instead of ketchup on burgers or fries.
How to cook shrimp
Since we all have different preferences when it comes to cooking methods, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right way to prepare them.
Pan fried – Pan frying involves shallow frying in oil over medium heat.
When pan frying shrimp, they should only take around 3 minutes per side depending on their size.
To ensure even browning, turn them halfway through cooking.
Once cooked, drain off excess fat before serving.
Grilled – Grilling involves placing food directly on hot coals or gas flames without any additional greasing.
Shrimp grilled on skewers are easy to handle and look nice on the grill.
Just remember to remove them after 5 minutes of grilling.
They’ll finish quickly once removed.
Broiled – Broiling means broiling under direct heat above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Since broilers tend to get very hot, it’s important to pay close attention to the temperature and timing. Make sure to check on them often until they reach 110 degrees F. Then, continue checking every few seconds until they reach 145 degrees F. After removing from the oven, let them cool completely before cutting into pieces.
Steamed – Steaming refers to steaming foods submerged below boiling water. There are two main types of steamers available today: electric and stove top. Electric steamers come with built-in heating elements while stove top ones rely on a pot filled with boiling water. Either way, both options allow you to control the amount of moisture inside the container.
What Are Some Good Recipes For Shrimp?
Shrimp is one of the most popular types of seafood because they are quick-cooking, affordable, versatile, and easy to prepare.
You don’t have to go out and buy expensive fresh ones either!
Shrimp can easily be found frozen at the grocery store, especially if you live near an Asian market where they will often sell them in bulk.
If you want to cook with shrimp but aren’t sold on buying them pre-cooked, make sure to read our tips on how to buy shrimp safely online.
Before we get into any specific recipes, let’s talk about what makes this type of food so great.
It all comes down to flavor.
Shrimp is very flavorful when cooked properly, which means it should always come from high quality ingredients like wild caught shrimp, organic shrimp, and/or sustainably farmed shrimp.
The best way to ensure these items are safe and healthy is to purchase them directly from reputable sources such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Costco, etc.
These places usually offer a wide variety of different varieties of shrimp, making it easier than ever before to find exactly what you need.
If you prefer to cook your own shrimp, then there are plenty of ways to do so.
One of the easiest methods involves purchasing raw jumbo shrimp, cleaning them thoroughly, and cooking them in boiling water until done.
Once they are cooked, drain off their excess liquid, toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and serve immediately.
A lot of people also use baking soda to help season their shrimp once it has been cleaned and drained.
Simply add 1 teaspoon of baking soda per pound of shrimp (about half a cup) along with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to a large mixing bowl.
Mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and allow the mixture to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
The next day, remove the shrimp from the fridge and discard the soaking liquid.
Rinse each piece under cold running water, pat dry using paper towels, and place back in the bowl with the seasoning mix.
Use tongs to coat both sides of each shrimp with the mix.
Next, heat up a frying pan over medium-high heat and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the seasoned shrimp, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and sear each side for 3 minutes each.
Remove the shrimp from the heat and transfer to serving plates. Serve immediately.
How Do You Clean And Devein Shrimp?
Shrimp usually comes with little to no fat on them, so they aren’t the most oily foods out there.
However, since shrimp also has a lot of water inside its body cavity, we need to remove all traces of that excess moisture before cooking.
To do this, take a paring knife and cut along one side of each shrimp.
Then lift up the back flap of their shells until you see a thin membrane covering the tail.
Carefully peel off the top layer of that membrane as well as any other membranes surrounding the tail.
Once you have peeled away those layers, pull out the tail section and discard.
Next, turn the shrimp over and gently pry open the tiny space between the head and the body.
Remove the small piece of cartilage from the middle of the head that will prevent the shrimp from opening too wide when cooked.
Discard these parts.
Finally, rinse the shrimp under cold running tap water.
Be careful not to submerge them completely because the head may still contain bits of sand that could make the shrimp look cloudy once cooked.
If you want to cook the shrimp right away, rinse them again after rinsing them under cold water.
Now that your shrimp is cleaned and ready to go, let’s move onto making it tasty!
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 14 oz. coconut milk
- 3 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp freshly grated lime zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsps sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 lbs large shrimp
- 1/2 cup toasted
Instructions
- Coconut milk, together with garlic, ginger, lime juice, lime zest, sugar, and salt, should be heated in a big skillet. For a few minutes, bring to a boil to thicken.
- Cook the shrimp after adding them until they are opaque and slightly curled. If you’d like a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water, then gradually stir it into the boiling shrimp mixture while it cooks.
- Top with toasted coconut and lime zest and serve over rice.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.