Steaming Shrimp: Using Rice Cooker For Perfect Results

Steaming shrimp in a rice cooker is a convenient and easy way to cook this versatile shellfish. Shrimp can be steamed in a rice cooker in a few simple steps. First, put about an inch of water into the rice cooker and turn it to the steam setting. Once the water is boiling, place the shrimp in the steamer basket and put the lid back on. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp, with smaller shrimp taking less time and larger shrimp taking more time. For example, U 16/20 shrimp (16-20 shrimp per pound) will take around 7 minutes to cook. It is important to not overfill the steamer basket to ensure even cooking. To check if the shrimp are done, squeeze them gently – they should have a little give and be tender, not chewy.

How to steam shrimp in a rice cooker without overcooking it

Steaming shrimp in a rice cooker is an easy and convenient way to prepare shrimp without overcooking it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Fill the bottom of your rice cooker with water. The amount of water required may vary depending on the size and model of your rice cooker. As a general guideline, put about one to two inches of water into the rice cooker. You can also add some flavourings to the water, such as bay leaves, juniper berries, or peppercorns, but this is optional.

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

If your shrimp is frozen, it is recommended to thaw it first. This can be done quickly by placing the shrimp in a colander and running cool water over it. You can also leave the shrimp in a bowl of room-temperature water for 36 hours in the refrigerator.

Once the shrimp is thawed, prepare it for cooking. This includes tasks such as peeling, deveining, and removing the heads and tails, if desired. You can also leave the shrimp with the shell on for peel-and-eat shrimp.

Step 3: Steam the Shrimp

Place a steamer basket inside the rice cooker, ensuring it is elevated above the water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can create a makeshift steamer by placing a heat-safe bowl upside down in the rice cooker and putting a heavy, heat-safe plate on top.

Turn on the rice cooker and wait for the water to start boiling. Once the steamer is ready, place the shrimp inside, making sure they are in a single layer with enough space for steam to circulate. Put the lid on and allow the shrimp to cook.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp and the specific model of your rice cooker. Smaller shrimp will take less time, while larger shrimp will take longer. As a reference, steamed shrimp usually cooks in about 4 to 7 minutes in a rice cooker.

To check if the shrimp is done, look for a change in colour. The shrimp should turn from grey and translucent to opaque white, with a bright pink or red colour. You can also cut into one of the thicker shrimps to ensure it is cooked all the way through. Well-cooked shrimp will be firm but still have a little give when squeezed.

Step 5: Stop the Cooking Process

Once the shrimp is done, remove it from the rice cooker and stop the cooking process by dunking it in cold water or placing it in a bowl of ice water. This will prevent overcooking and ensure the shrimp remains tender.

Tips for Success:

• Do not wander off while steaming shrimp. It cooks quickly, and overcooking can make it chewy.
• Be careful not to put too many shrimp in the steamer at once, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
• If using frozen shrimp, check it after a couple of minutes and move it around to ensure even cooking.
• For extra juicy shrimp, brine it before cooking by soaking it in an ice water-salt brine for an hour.

How to prepare shrimp for steaming in a rice cooker

Before steaming shrimp in a rice cooker, there are a few preparation steps you should take to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide to help you:

• Thawing Frozen Shrimp: If your shrimp is frozen, it's best to thaw it before cooking. Place the shrimp in a colander and run cool water over it until it's completely thawed. This usually only takes a few minutes.
• Peeling and Deveining: It's preferable to peel and devein the shrimp before steaming. The shell can be removed by grabbing the section of the shell that meets the belly (where the legs are) and pulling back. For the vein, use a sharp knife to make a shallow slit along the back of the shelled shrimp, exposing the dark intestinal tract. Remove the tract with your fingers or the knife, then rinse the shrimp.
• Brining (Optional): For extra juicy shrimp, you can brine them before cooking. Prepare an ice water-salt brine with one tablespoon of salt for every two cups of ice water. Optionally, add a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of baking soda. Soak the shrimp in this brine for about an hour, then rinse before steaming.
• Seasoning (Optional): If desired, you can season the shrimp before steaming. You can use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, citrus zest, curry powder, or herbs. However, if you plan to add seasonings to the steaming liquid, you may want to skip seasoning the shrimp directly.

Once your shrimp are prepared, you can move on to the steaming process in your rice cooker. Remember to follow the steaming instructions carefully to avoid overcooking the shrimp, as they cook quickly. Enjoy your delicious and tender steamed shrimp!

How to steam shrimp in a rice cooker without a steamer basket

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook the shellfish without doing much else to it, allowing you to use it for a variety of recipes. It is also a convenient and inexpensive way to cook food, especially for those with limited kitchen access. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam shrimp in a rice cooker without a steamer basket:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Fill the bottom of your rice cooker with about an inch of water and turn it to the steam setting. The water should start boiling in a few minutes. You can also add aromatics to the steaming liquid, such as slices of lemon, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, or ginger.

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

If your shrimp is frozen, it is recommended to thaw it first. This can be done by placing the shrimp in a colander and running cool water over it until it is thawed, which usually only takes a few minutes. You can also cook shrimp from frozen, but it will take a little longer.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the shrimp directly into the rice cooker. Make sure not to overcrowd the cooker, as this will affect even cooking. Put the lid back on and let the shrimp steam.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp, but it usually takes around 4-7 minutes for most shrimp. Check the shrimp for doneness by looking for a change in color. The shrimp should turn from grayish translucent to opaque white, with a reddish color. You can also cut into one of the thicker shrimps to ensure it is cooked through.

Step 5: Remove from Heat

Once the shrimp are done, remove them from the rice cooker and dunk them in cold water to stop the cooking process. This will ensure they don't overcook.

Step 6: Serve or Store

You can now use the steamed shrimp in your desired recipe or store them in a dry container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

How to steam shrimp and rice in a rice cooker at the same time

Steaming shrimp and cooking rice in a rice cooker at the same time is a convenient and inexpensive way to cook a tasty meal. This guide will take you through the steps to achieve this, with a focus on ensuring your shrimp is cooked to perfection.

Preparation

Firstly, ensure your shrimp is cleaned and deveined. You can peel the shrimp if you prefer, but this is not necessary. If your shrimp is frozen, it is best to defrost it first. This can be done by placing it in a colander and running cool water over it.

Cooking

Add your rice to the rice cooker and rinse it with water until the water runs clear. Drain off the water, but there is no need to completely remove all liquid. Add your desired seasonings and water according to the rice cooker's indicator line. Stir the pot to combine the seasonings.

Add your shrimp to the rice cooker. It is best to add the shrimp towards the end of the rice cooking time to avoid overcooking. The shrimp will only need a few minutes to cook, so keep the rice cooker on warm after it has finished cooking the rice, and this residual heat should be enough to steam the shrimp.

Checking for Doneness

Shrimp cooks very quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on it. It is done when the flesh turns from grey and translucent to opaque white, and it will also be red. You can check by cutting into one of the shrimp at its thickest part—it should be white all the way through. The shrimp should also have a little give when squeezed and should be tender, not chewy.

Tips

• If you are cooking a lot of shrimp, it is best to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
• You can add aromatics and seasonings to your shrimp for extra flavor. Try garlic, ginger, or soy sauce.
• If you are adding liquid seasonings, it is best to cook the shrimp on a plate or bowl so that the seasoning does not fall through the holes of the steamer.
• If you are cooking frozen shrimp, be sure to move them around a little during cooking to ensure even cooking.

Enjoy your delicious and easy shrimp and rice meal!

How to steam frozen shrimp in a rice cooker

Steaming shrimp in a rice cooker is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this versatile shellfish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen shrimp in a rice cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Fill the bottom of your rice cooker with about an inch of water and turn the cooker to its steam setting. The amount of water may vary depending on the model of your rice cooker, but ensure there is enough to generate steam without submerging the shrimp.

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

While the water is heating up, prepare your frozen shrimp. It is recommended to defrost the shrimp before cooking to ensure even cooking. To quickly defrost shrimp, place them in a colander and run cool water over them until they are thawed. This usually only takes a few minutes. If you wish to add extra flavour to your shrimp, you can marinate them or toss them in a mixture of olive oil and seasoning before placing them in the rice cooker.

Step 3: Steam the Shrimp

Once the water in the rice cooker is boiling and steam is generated, carefully place the shrimp into the steamer basket or insert. Ensure the shrimp are in a single layer with space for steam to circulate. Place the lid back on the rice cooker. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp and whether they were defrosted beforehand. Smaller shrimp will take less time, while larger shrimp will take longer. Frozen shrimp will also take longer to cook than defrosted shrimp. As a guide, steam defrosted shrimp for 4-7 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they do not overcook. Frozen shrimp may take a couple of minutes longer.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Shrimp are cooked when the flesh turns from grey and translucent to opaque white. They will also be red or pink in colour. To check if they are done, cut into one of the shrimp at its thickest part. It should be white all the way through. Another way to check is by squeezing the shrimp—it should be firm but still have a little give.

Step 5: Remove from Heat and Serve

Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the rice cooker and serve immediately, or dunk them in cold water to halt the cooking process if you are not serving them right away. Steamed shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Frequently asked questions