How to boil shrimp

Shrimp is a popular delicacy known for its pleasant taste, high nutritional qualities, and delicate aroma. To prepare shrimp at home and not be disappointed with the resulting dish, one must adhere to several rules. This is what will be discussed further.

How to choose frozen shrimp

Seafood is sold fresh only near the sea. In other parts of the country, shrimp are sold frozen. To choose a quality product, one must follow basic rules.

1. First of all, it’s important to mention that there are simply frozen shrimp and boiled-frozen. To determine which product is in front of you, pay attention to the color - fresh-frozen shrimp have a greenish-gray shade, while cooked ones are gently pink.
2. Shrimp are sold peeled or in shells. Typically, large seafood is left in the shell, while cold-water crustaceans are peeled.
3. Avoid choosing shrimp in tightly packed packages that do not allow for a thorough inspection of the seafood. It is better to prefer products sold in bulk.
4. Frozen shrimp should have an ice glaze that protects the product from contact with oxygen, preventing the meat from oxidizing. However, there should not be large pieces of ice.
5. The color of frozen seafood should be gray with a hint of pink. It is advisable to refrain from purchasing bright pink and orange shrimp.
6. When inspecting, pay attention to the shrimp's tail - if it is straight, it means that stale seafood was frozen. A sign of a quality product is a tail that is bent like a hook.
7. Shrimp with dark, especially black heads should be set aside immediately; they cannot be consumed, as they are likely spoiled.
8. If the shell has white spots, it can be confidently stated that the product has been frozen too much.
9. Seafood should not have foreign odors - if they smell of mold, dampness, or mud, it is advisable to refuse the purchase.
10. Any contaminants on the surface of the shell that seem unnatural should be a reason to refuse the purchase.
11. If the shrimp are purchased packaged, they must be easily visible. Often, low-quality products are packaged in poorly visible colors.
12. The label should display all information about the product: who produced it, date of freezing, and expiration date.

How long to boil shrimp

Cooking time depends on the type of shrimp (simply frozen or previously thermally processed) as well as the size. It is unlikely to find raw seafood, as stores mainly sell boiled-frozen.

Products that have been thermally processed before freezing (the color of such shrimp is light pink) are boiled for 3 to 5 minutes.

Simply frozen shrimp (which are rarely sold in grocery stores and are gray in color) are cooked in a pot of water for at least 10 minutes.

Preparing shrimp for boiling

Frozen seafood is prepared as follows:

1. Buy unpeeled frozen shrimp from the store.
2. Transfer the product to a bowl and place it in the sink. Then turn on the cold water, adjusting to a gentle stream. Let the shrimp thaw in cold water. Under no circumstances should thawing be done in warm water or at room temperature, as this will negatively affect the taste.
3. When they are fully thawed, rinse them again under running water. Be sure to clean off any adhering plant debris.

How to boil boiled-frozen shrimp

This is the simplest and most convenient way to prepare boiled-frozen shrimp. Following the step-by-step instructions, you will get truly delicious food.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of shrimp;
• 5 cups of drinking water;
• lemon juice;
• 2 peppercorns;
• bay leaf;
• 1 tablespoon of table salt.

Preparation:

1. We defrost seafood according to all the rules - transferring them from the packaging into cool water. After several dozen minutes, the shrimp will be thawed and ready for boiling.
2. Fill the pot with water so that it fills the container only to 1/2. Cover with a lid and place on the stove, waiting for it to start boiling.
3. Add bay leaf, allspice, salt, and a little lemon juice to the boiling water.
4. Add the main ingredient to the pot and boil for 4 minutes after it comes to a boil again. It is important that the shrimp do not overcook; otherwise, the meat will become rubbery. Doneness can be determined by appearance - the shell will become slightly translucent.
5. Turn off the stove. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the pot and transfer them to a plate. Serve in peeled form.

Read about another cooking method on this page.

How to boil royal shrimp in the shell

How to boil tiger shrimp

Sold under this name, shrimp with dark stripes along the shell. In natural conditions, they are found in the Sea of Japan, where they are caught. However, a significant number of tiger shrimp are also farmed on special farms.

Farmed shrimp can reach 35 cm, while in natural conditions they usually do not exceed 25 cm. It is also worth mentioning that tiger shrimp are not boiled before being sent to stores; they are frozen fresh, so the cooking time of the product increases.

We will need:

• frozen tiger shrimp - 1 kilogram;
• drinking water - 2 liters;
• pepper - a few peas;
• salt - 2 tablespoons.

Preparation:

1. In a large pot, pour cold water and move it to the stove. Turn the burner to maximum power.
2. Noticing that the water has boiled, add salt and seasoning, after which add the previously thawed shrimp.
3. After a few seconds, the water will boil again. Cook the shrimp from this point for 10 minutes at a gentle boil.
4. At the end of cooking, turn off the stove and pour the water through a colander.
5. Serve the finished shrimp. Enjoy your meal.

It's good to know. Shrimp have very tender and delicate meat, so preliminary defrosting in hot water should not be done. Seafood should be left at room temperature or in a bowl of cold water so that the ice melts gradually.

Helpful tips