Shrimps are a delicacy that is often enjoyed by many. Whether you’re cooking up a big meal for your family or preparing food for a special occasion, shrimp is a great option to consider. However, many people avoid cooking raw shrimp due to the fear of undercooking them. Raw shrimp is delicious when properly prepared and cooked, and you don’t have to be a professional chef to turn out a delicious plate of shrimp. With that said, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to cook raw shrimp.
Prepping Raw Shrimp
Attaining raw shrimp for cooking is essential. When buying raw shrimp, go for fresh ones. Fresh shrimp guarantees a sweet and juicy taste that you won’t get from frozen shrimp. If you can’t access fresh shrimp, be sure to defrost your raw shrimp completely before cooking them.
Next, you need to prep the shrimp for seasoning. To do this, begin by peeling the shrimp. Hold the shrimp by its tail and gently but firmly hold onto the shell as you peel it off from the body. Keep peeling until you discover the vein that runs along the spine. Using a small, sharp knife, cut the vein and remove it. Rinse the shrimp thoroughly and pat it dry using paper towels. Your shrimp is now prepped for seasoning.
How To Cook Raw Shrimp
Now that you’ve prepped your shrimp, it’s time to learn how to cook them. Here are different cooking methods you can use to prepare up your raw shrimp.
Grilling
Grilling is one of the easiest and most fun ways to cook raw shrimp. For this method, you’ll require a grill and skewers, among a few additional ingredients. Here’s how to go about it:
Ingredients:
– Raw shrimp
– Salt
– Lemon
– Garlic
– Skewers
Instructions:
– Clean your shrimp as directed and then place them in a bowl.
– Add salt, lemon juice, and garlic to the shrimp and mix it thoroughly. Ensure that the seasoning is spread evenly across the shrimp.
– Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
– Thread shrimp onto the skewers and place them on the hot grill.
– Grill each side for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink.
– Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let them cool before eating them.
Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is one of the quickest and easiest methods of cooking shrimp, which is great if you’re in a rush. Here’s how you can stir-fry your shrimp.
Ingredients:
– Raw shrimp
– Salt
– Lemon juice
– Diced onions
– Garlic powder
– Pepper
– Butter
– Olive oil
Instructions:
– In a bowl, mix salt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and pepper.
– Add the prepared shrimp to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
– In a frying pan, heat some butter and olive oil over high heat.
– Once the butter has melted, add the diced onions to the pan and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
– Add the shrimp with the seasoning and stir-fry until the shrimp turns pink.
– Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a minute before scooping out and serving.
Boiling
Boiling is a great way to cook shrimp that is great for soups, stews, salads, and many other dishes. Here’s how you can boil your shrimp.
Ingredients:
– Raw shrimp
– Salt
– Lemon juice
– Water
Instructions:
– Fill a pot with water and heat to a boiling point.
– Add salt, lemon juice, and raw shrimps to the pot of boiling water.
– Boil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink.
– Once fully cooked, remove the shrimp from the pot and place it in a cold water bath.
– Pick the shrimp out of the water bath and pat it dry.
– Your boiled shrimp is now ready to be added to your desired dish.
Baking
Baking is a great way to cook shrimp as it gives the shrimp a golden brown, crispy texture, and scrumptious taste. Here’s how you can bake your shrimp.
Ingredients:
– Raw shrimp
– Salt
– Oregano
– Garlic powder
– Lime juice
– Butter
Instructions:
– Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Melt butter in a baking dish using your oven.
– Add salt, oregano, garlic powder, and lime juice to the melted butter and mix thoroughly.
– Add the cleaned raw shrimp to the baking dish and mix until coated.
– Place the baking dish with the shrimp in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.
– Once cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven and let cool before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
– How Do You Tell if Raw Shrimp is Cooked?
When the shrimp turns into a translucent pink color, it’s an indication that they’ve cooked enough. Avoid overcooking the shrimp as they could become tough and rubbery, ruining the overall taste.
– How Do I Store Raw Shrimp for Later Use?
Keep raw shrimp refrigerated or in a freezer to preserve freshness. If you’re using them within a day or two, keep them in a sealed container, covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Consider freezing them for long-term use, as they can go bad within four days.
– How Do I Defrost Frozen Raw Shrimp?
Take the frozen raw shrimp out of the freezer and place it in a bowl of cold water. Alternatively, you can leave them in the refrigerator overnight, or defrost them by running them under a stream of cold water.
Conclusion
Cooking raw shrimp is not complex, as long as you follow the right steps. Be sure to prepare your shrimp with the right seasoning before cooking to enhance the taste. With the growing need to learn how to cook shrimp, the above cooking methods will guide you when preparing shrimp to your liking. So go on and try each of them out until you find the best shrimp recipe to satisfy your taste buds.
