How to Boil Shrimp

how to cook shrimp with the shell on a plate

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Easy, Fast and a great way to prepare shrimp for so many other recipes! Takes about 10 minutes start to finish!

Prep Time8

Cook Time2

Total Time10

Course: main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to boil shrimp

Servings: servings

Calories: 112kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Cost: $8

Equipment

1 Stock Pot
1 kitchen spider
measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

1 Lb Frozen shrimp
3 quarts cold water
½ onion in slices
½ lemon in slices
1 Tbs garlic minced
1 Tbs Old Bay
1 Bay Leaf optional

Instructions

Thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
In a 5-6 quart stock pot, stir together the water, onion, lemon, garlic, old bay and bay leaf and heat over medium high heat until water begins to simmer.
Bring stock pot to a simmer and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together in the simmering water.
Add the shrimp to the simmering stock pot for 2-3 minutes, cooking until bright pink. Do not overcook.
Remove the shrimp from the boiling water with a kitchen spider and serve or use in your desired preparation.

Video

Notes

Start with raw or uncooked shrimp. These can either be fresh or frozen. If they are frozen, you must thaw them first.
To thaw frozen shrimp, move them from the freezer to the refrigerator the night/day before you plan to use them OR you can set the bag in a bowl of cool water several hours before you plan to use them. Do NOT set them in a bowl of hot water.
You will want the water at a lively simmer. Remove any water from the bag that the shrimp are in before adding them to the simmering water.
How long it takes the shrimp to cook will depend on the size of the shrimp, the state of the shrimp before cooking (frozen, very cold, precooked, etc.).
The shrimp are done when they are bright pink, the flesh is opaque and they begin to curl a bit.
It's easiest to remove them from the water with a kitchen spider

SUBSTITUTIONS

Shrimp - You can use fresh, raw, cooked, uncooked, frozen, shell on, shell off, tail on, tail off or ANY size shrimp you find for boiled shrimp. The idea being that it will take a varying amount of cook time for each of these variances. The shrimp is done when it is pink, opaque and curled.

Water - You can always use vegetable broth or chicken broth to boil your shrimp and this will add more flavor. Use seafood broth if you have it!

Spices, herbs and flavors - You can use any that you prefer. Just remember that seafood is already a bit salty so go easy with salt. Also remember that not ALL seasonings will go with the flavor of shrimp so if you are new to this, maybe go with the recipe to start.

Nutrition