How Long to Steam Shrimp: The Perfect Way to Cook This Delicious Seafood

How Long to Steam Shrimp? One of the best methods to prepare shrimp is to steam them. The delicate cooking technique enhances the flavor and tender snap of the shrimp. We’ll show you how to set up your equipment, clean your shrimp, brine it for extra plump and juicy results, flavor your steaming liquid, and steam your shrimp to perfection.

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Boiling Shrimp vs. Steaming Shrimp

Another frequent method of cooking shrimp is to boil them. But here’s why you should steam your shrimp. With boiling, there is greater possibility for human mistake, and you may wind up with overdone shrimp. Boiling shrimp can occasionally overcook them, making it difficult to remove the crustaceans from the pot in time. Shriveled, rubbery shrimp can result from this. How Long to Steam Shrimp Furthermore, the flavor of the shrimp can leach into the boiling water. Steaming is much friendlier on shellfish and helps to lock in the taste of the shrimp. Furthermore, steaming is more handy than boiling since it requires less water, so you don’t have to wait as long for it to come to a boil. The faster your water boils, the sooner you can eat!

Gather Your Steaming Supplies

The good news is that there are numerous methods for steaming shrimp and other shellfish. In your steamer setup, you want to keep the food raised from the simmering water below. You want the shrimp to cook in the steam rather than in the water.

Pot and Steamer Sets

In the United States, one of the most typical setups is a large metal pot with a steamer basket attachment that rests on top of the pot. The bottom of the steamer basket has holes or perforations to allow steam from the pot below to enter. How Long to Steam Shrimp This item is sometimes marketed as a pasta pot with a strainer. If you have one, you may certainly use it to steam shrimp.

Inserts for steamers

If you have a large stockpot or pasta pot but no steamer basket, you can purchase a separate steamer basket that fits inside your pot and stands on small feet to keep it elevated over the water. Many have a handle to make lifting out of the pot simpler. How Long to Steam Shrimp There are numerous varieties of steamer inserts available at merchants and online, constructed of various materials like as steel and silicone. Some are collapsible and therefore easy to store.

The Pressure Cooker

You might be tempted to use the steam option on your Instant Pot or other electronic countertop pressure cooker. However, this is not a good idea. The steam feature on an Instant Pot differs from steaming on a cooktop since the Instant Pot will also generate pressure in addition to steam. You risk overcooking the shrimp, and the pressure may cause them to break apart in the worst-case situation. You should not, however, discard your Instant Pot entirely. How Long to Steam Shrimp Using the steamer rack, you may steam shrimp. Use the sauté setting to bring the water to a simmer. To avoid creating a vacuum, use a towel or plate instead of the Instant Pot lid.

Other Alternatives

You may also use a tamale pot if you have one; they’re great for boiling a large amount of shrimp for a large party or gathering. You can also use a Chinese-style bamboo steamer on top of a wok or other pot or pan. Steamer racks, which are popular in Chinese and other East Asian cuisines, are quite cheap. How Long to Steam Shrimp These are fantastic because they can hold a plate or bowl, which is vital if you want to save the shrimp’s liquids or if you want to cover or smother your shrimp with a sauce or other aromatics like scallions and ginger.

Is there no steamer? Not a problem!

If you don’t have any special steaming equipment, you can convert an ordinary stock pot into a steamer. Simply place an upside-down heat-safe bowl in your saucepan. Place a heavy, heat-safe plate on top of the overturned bowl for an instant steamer. How Long to Steam Shrimp A heatproof colander placed on top of a saucepan of simmering water works just as well. Alternatively, you may make a steamer out of potatoes and corn on the cob by layering them first in your saucepan with water or whatever liquid you want to cook with. Place your shrimp on top of the vegetables to keep them elevated above the liquid, then turn on your heat. This is an excellent method to steam shrimp while also adding a side dish to your supper in one pot.

Shrimp should be cleaned.

The amount of prep work required before steaming your shrimp is entirely dependent on your own tastes and whether or not you purchased your shrimp peeled and deveined. You’ll have less work to do before cooking if you enjoy peel-and-eat shrimp. If you (or your dinner guests) do not enjoy working for their meal, you will need to do a bit extra work – here’s how.

If you find entire, head-on shrimp, you can steam them whole and end up with highly tasty, juicy shrimp. However, that may not be everyone’s notion of a nice meal. How Long to Steam Shrimp Remove the heads by twisting or chopping them off using a chef’s knife.

Peel the shell off the shrimp one segment at a time by holding the portion of shell that meets the abdomen (where the legs are) and tugging back. When eating shrimp with your hands, such as in shrimp cocktail, you can leave the tail on so diners can pick up a shrimp with their fingers. Otherwise, use scissors or a knife to cut it off.

The intestinal system is totally safe to eat, but it might give a sandy texture to the completed product, so many people choose to remove it. Simply make a slit along the back of each shelled shrimp to expose the black intestinal tract with a paring knife. Remove the tract with the tip of your knife (or your fingers) and discard. After rinsing your shrimp, they are ready to steam.

Brine the shrimp for extra flavor.

Have you ever had restaurant shrimp that were almost impossibly plump and juicy? The shrimp used were most likely the same as those you’d get at your local supermarket. How Long to Steam Shrimp They presumably brined it between cleaning and cooking. This is a time-honored practice that many restaurants have employed for decades to ensure that every diner receives perfectly cooked shrimp.

Soak your prepared shrimp in an ice water-salt brine for 1 hour before cooking. A excellent beginning point is 1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 cups of ice water. To guarantee that your shrimp cooks crisp and snappy rather than soft and mushy, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the brine, as Chinese chefs sometimes do. Simply clean the shrimp before steaming to remove the baking soda.

Season the Shrimp Steaming Liquid

There are those who believe in enjoying the pure, natural flavors of shrimp and those who believe shrimp are a vehicle for a variety of seasonings. Neither method is incorrect, and steaming allows you to add as much or as little flavor to your shrimp as you like. If you’re adding more flavor, keep in mind that your steaming liquid should be more liberally seasoned than soup or stew stock. Your drink should be nearly too tasty to eat on its own. If your combination makes you pucker or reach for a drink of water, the steam will flavor your shrimp just enough.

How to bring out the simple flavors of the shrimp. As your steaming liquid, use ordinary water. A few slices of lemon are also typical and allow you to concentrate on the sweet, unadulterated flavors of the shrimp.

Replace water with another drink. You may make this with stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or any other beverage you like. There are no restrictions on how you can use steamed shrimp.

Aromatics can be added to the heating liquid. Consider aromatic veggies such as onions, celery, and carrots. Garlic and ginger are also excellent flavoring additives. For ideas, don’t be afraid to search into your spice cabinet and herb garden. Seasonings such as chili peppers, black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, cilantro, and parsley are just a few of the many options for your steaming liquid.

How Long to Steam Shrimp

If you want to jazz up your shrimp, now is the time to add any extra seasonings right to them. For those who like their seafood with a spice, tossing raw shrimp with cayenne pepper or black pepper is always a fantastic alternative. You can also season them with citrus zest, curry powder, or herbs. Shrimp can also be seasoned with liquid seasonings. A dash of vermouth or sherry adds a pleasant accent that complements the natural sweetness of the shrimp. For a more Asian-inspired dish, sprinkle with oyster sauce or Thai curry paste. If you’re using liquid spices on your shrimp, steam them on a plate or in a dish so the seasoning doesn’t fall through the holes of your steamer. How Long to Steam Shrimp You’ll also wind up with a wonderfully tasty sauce for your shrimp if you use a plate or bowl.

Shrimp Steaming Instructions

Pour in your heating liquid. And whatever extra flavors and aromatics you desire.

Insert the steamer insert into the pot. Allow at least two inches of space between the bottom of your steamer and the top of the liquid. How Long to Steam Shrimp If there is too much water, simply remove the steamer and pour out some of the liquid until the level is correct.

Bring the liquid to a boil in a covered pot over high heat. Having your steamer inside your pot at this point will help to warm it and help your shrimp cook faster.

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the shrimp. The liquid should be at a moderate simmer. Replace the cover on the pot, then add your prepared shrimp.

Steam the shrimp until they curl and turn brilliant pink. For 1 to 2 pounds of shrimp, steam for 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the steamer from the saucepan right away. The shrimp should have changed color, be firm to the touch, and still yield slightly. How Long to Steam Shrimp Make a loose fist with your hand and jab the area between your thumb and forefinger. That’s how your shrimp should feel.

Drop the shrimp into a big dish of ice water to keep them cool. After they have cooled, you can store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They can stay like this for nearly a day.

How Long to Steam Shrimp: The Perfect Way to Cook This Delicious Seafood