Learn the best method for how to boil shrimp to produce the perfect and delicious cooked shrimp every single time without any fuss. 

A white bowl with cooked shrimp.

Who doesn’t love shrimp? It’s like a seafood superstar with awesome flavor and so many ways to cook it up. Boiling shrimp is basically the easy-peasy way to make it delicious. If you’re all about learning how to boil shrimp like a champ, here’s my simple method to get just right.

Selecting The Best Shrimp

Before we dive into the cooking instructions, let’s good shrimp. How fresh they are totally affects how your food turns out.

Buying fresh shrimp: Check for bright colors and a kind of ocean smell. If they smell like ammonia, skip ’em, they’re not good. Get the ones that feel solid, with shells that aren’t messed up and no weird colors.

Buying frozen shrimp: Grab a bag that’s tightly sealed and looks frosty, not icy. No frost means the shrimp haven’t been thawed and refrozen. Also, go for shrimp without additives. They might say “100% shrimp” or something similar on the package.

  • How To Thaw: When you’re ready to use them, thaw shrimp in the fridge. Quick tip: place the bag in a bowl in case they leak!
Raw shrimp with the peel on placed on a white oval plate.

How to Boil Shrimp

Raw peeled shrimp with the peel on the side on a white oval plate.
  1. Begin by peeling and deveining the shrimp. Using a small knife or shrimp deveiner, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp to remove the vein. This step not only enhances the shrimp’s flavor but also makes them more visually appealing.
Boil shrimp in a small saucepan with a cooking spoon inside.
  1. Select a pot large enough to comfortably hold the shrimp without overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
  2. Fill the pot with water, allowing enough room for the shrimp to be submerged comfortably. For added flavor, season the water with salt. The water should taste slightly salty.
  1. Boil: Heat the water over high heat and bring to a rolling boil then gently add the shrimp. Tip: Adding them slowly helps maintain the boil.
  2. The cooking time for shrimp varies based on their size. Generally, smaller shrimp take about 2-3 minutes to cook, while larger ones may take 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them – overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery.
  3. When done, the shrimp will be pink and opaque.
Cooked shrimp in a bowl with ice.
  1. Drain: As soon as the shrimp have turned pink, drain them immediately. Plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and help them cool down. This step preserves their tenderness and prevents overcooking.

Make shrimp stock!

You can save the shrimp broth and continue cooking it to make shrimp stock. Add the shrimp shells and tails, some peppercorns plus a bay leave for extra flavor. Cook for 30 minutes on low, covered with a lid.

A white bowl with cooked shrimp and a pink fabric napkin on the side.

Serving Suggestions

  • Use cooked shrimp to make a Creamy Shrimp Salad.
  • Chop them up and make Shrimp with scrambled eggs.
  • Serve cold with cocktail sauce, melted butter, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Add them to fresh salads, pasta, or even rice.

FAQs

Can I boil frozen shrimp?

Yes, you can boil frozen shrimp. Simply adjust the cooking time slightly, as frozen shrimp may take a minute or two longer to cook.

Can I reuse the boiling water for stock?

Absolutely! The seasoned water used to boil shrimp can be strained and used as a flavorful base for soups and sauces.

What if my shrimp turn rubbery?

Overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery. Keep a close eye on the cooking time to avoid this.

Should I remove the tails before boiling?

It’s a matter of personal preference. Leaving the tails on can make for a more elegant presentation and a convenient handle while peeling.

A white bowl with cooked shrimp and a pink fabric napkin on the side.

I hope you like this recipe! Share it, or leave a rating and comment below. For questions that need an answer right away, please contact  me and I’ll get back to you asap. Gracias!!!! xx, Ana

Print Recipe:

A white bowl with cooked shrimp.

How To Boil Shrimp

Servings 8 4 oz servings
Ana Frias
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Learn the best method for how to boil shrimp to produce the perfect and delicious cooked shrimp every single time without any fuss. 

Equipment

  • 1 Large stockpot
8 4 oz servings

Ingredients  

  • 2 pounds large shrimp with shells on. Peeled and deveined
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • Fill a medium pot with enough water to cover the shrimp. Add the salt and bring to a rolling boil.
  • Add the shrimp. Tip: Adding them slowly helps maintain the boil.
  • The cooking time for shrimp varies based on their size. Generally, smaller shrimp take about 2-3 minutes to cook, while larger ones may take 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them – overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery.
  • When done, the shrimp will be pink and opaque.
  • Drain: As soon as the shrimp have turned pink, drain them immediately. Plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

Muy Delish Notes:

  • Select a pot large enough to comfortably hold the shrimp without overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.

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Nutrition

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.39g | Protein: 30.9g | Fat: 2.63g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 231mg | Sodium: 687mg

The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Great tip to learn how to boil shrimps. I never tried putting them in an ice bath and just usually let them cool. I’ll try that method!