Shrimp Hot Pot Cooking Time: Getting That Perfect Texture

Cooking shrimp in a hot pot is a quick and easy process. The key to a successful hot pot is to have a variety of ingredients and to ensure that everything is prepped and ready to be cooked in the broth. The broth should be kept at a gentle simmer to safely cook each ingredient.

When it comes to shrimp, it is best to use fresh raw shrimp that is headless and shelled. However, frozen shrimp can also be used if it is thawed beforehand. To thaw frozen shrimp, take it out of its package and run cold water over it for about 5 minutes. The shrimp is ready when it is soft, easily bendable, and slightly translucent.

Once the shrimp is prepared, it can be added to the hot pot. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp, but generally, it will take around 2 to 3 minutes for the shrimp to be cooked through and opaque. It is important to keep an eye on the shrimp as it cooks, as overcooked shrimp will form an O shape. Perfectly cooked shrimp will be pink with bright red tails and slightly curled, forming a C shape.

In addition to shrimp, a variety of other ingredients can be cooked in the hot pot, including vegetables, meat, and seafood. The hot pot is a social dining format where everyone gathers around the table and cooks their food together in the shared pot.

How long to cook shrimp in hot pot: 2-3 minutes

Cooking shrimp in a hot pot is a quick and easy process. It is important to remember that shrimp cooks very quickly, so it is crucial not to take your eyes off it. The shrimp is done when it is pink with bright red tails and curled into a "C" shape.

To cook shrimp in a hot pot, first prepare your hot pot by placing it on a portable burner in the middle of the table and filling it with broth. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.

Next, prepare your shrimp by thawing it if frozen. It is best to do this by running cold water over the shrimp for about 5 minutes, until they are soft, easily bendable, and slightly translucent. Then, pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. After that, place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and coat them with your desired seasoning.

Once your shrimp and hot pot are ready, use chopsticks, small hot pot strainers, or tongs to place the shrimp into the hot pot. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, until they are just cooked through and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can go from perfectly cooked to overdone in a matter of seconds.

Once the shrimp are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the hot pot and enjoy!

How to prep shrimp for hot pot

Preparing shrimp for hot pot can be a simple or complex process, depending on your preferences and the style of hot pot you wish to create. Here is a detailed guide on how to prep shrimp for this delicious dish:

Selecting and Cleaning the Shrimp:

Start by choosing fresh, whole shrimps for the best flavour. While peeled and deveined frozen shrimp are convenient and readily available in stores, they may have reduced shrimp flavour due to factory processing. If you opt for frozen shrimp, ensure they are thoroughly thawed before cooking.

Once you have your shrimp, the cleaning process involves peeling and deveining. This step can be a bit tedious but is worth the effort for the final taste and texture.

Chopping and Preparing the Shrimp:

After cleaning, you'll want to chop the shrimp finely. It is recommended to use a cleaver knife for this step instead of a food processor to achieve the desired texture. Finely chopping the shrimp by hand will result in a smoother and slightly crunchy texture, making the shrimp more enjoyable to eat.

Next, you can add a variety of ingredients to enhance the flavour and binding of the shrimp. In a bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with an egg white, corn starch, ground ginger, ground white pepper, rice cooking wine, and salt to taste.

Now, the key step is to whisk the mixture vigorously and always in one direction. Use a pair of chopsticks or a whisk, and whisk hard for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the right texture in your shrimp paste.

Shaping and Refrigerating the Shrimp:

Once your shrimp mixture is well-combined, it's time to shape it. Use a spoon to portion out the shrimp paste onto a shallow plate, smoothing the top with the back of the spoon. You can shape the paste into small balls or leave it as a paste, depending on your preference.

After shaping, place the plate of shrimp in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the mixture to firm up.

Cooking the Shrimp in the Hot Pot:

When you're ready to cook, simply drop the shrimp into your hot pot. You can use a simple pot of water or a more complex broth with various spices and ingredients. Cook the shrimp until they float and turn pink, indicating they are cooked through.

Serving the Shrimp:

Serve the shrimp hot and fresh from the pot. You can enjoy them as-is, or for a more indulgent experience, provide a selection of dipping sauces on the side.

Preparing shrimp for hot pot may require some time and effort, but the end result is a delicious and fun dining experience. Enjoy the process of creating this dish, and don't forget to share it with people you like, as hot pot is a social and interactive meal meant to be enjoyed with good company!

How to cook shrimp in an instant pot

Ingredients

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Lemon juice, lime juice, and/or Old Bay Seasoning (optional)
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Minced garlic (optional)
• Soy sauce (optional)

Utensils

• Instant Pot
• Glass lid (optional)
• Steaming basket accessory
• Colander (optional)

Method

• Add water to your Instant Pot.
• Place the shrimp in a steaming basket accessory, and put the basket in the Instant Pot.
• Put a glass lid on top.
• Press the "steam" function and set the timer for 5 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, check the shrimp. If they are small or medium, they may be done. The shrimp are considered done when they are pink and slightly curled. They do not need to be fully curled to be considered done.
• If you are cooking large shrimp, stir the shrimp and add an additional 4-5 minutes to the timer. Check the shrimp at 4 minutes and add 1-2 minutes if needed.
• Serve the shrimp immediately or keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cooked shrimp can also be frozen for 3-6 months if wrapped well.

Tips

The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp. This recipe is for large shrimp (approximately 16-20 per pound). For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes and watch the shrimp to prevent overcooking.

Alternative Method

• Press the "Saute" button to "Sauté More" to heat up the Instant Pot.
• Wait until the Instant Pot says "HOT".
• Melt 2 tbsp of unsalted butter or olive oil in the inner pot, and ensure the bottom of the pot is coated.
• Place the shrimp in the Instant Pot, and make sure all the shrimp are directly touching the pot. You don't need to stir the shrimp.
• Let the shrimp cook for 2 minutes on one side before flipping them over, then cook the other side for 1.5 minutes.
• Add minced garlic and 2 tsp-1 tbsp of regular soy sauce to the Instant Pot. With a wooden spoon, saute and scrub all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom for 30 seconds.
• Taste one of the shrimp to make sure it's seasoned and cooked properly.
• Quickly pour the shrimp onto a serving plate to avoid overcooking.
• Garnish the shrimp with finely chopped Italian parsley.

How to cook shrimp in a pan

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. shrimp (defrosted and deveined)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Prepare the shrimp: If you bought frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it before cooking. To do this, take the shrimp out of its package and put it in a bowl or colander in the sink. Run cold water over the shrimp for about 5 minutes, tossing them occasionally to ensure even thawing. The shrimp is ready when it is soft, easily bendable, and slightly translucent. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
• Season the shrimp: Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and add your desired seasoning. Mix well to ensure the shrimp is evenly coated. You can use a simple combination of sea salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes, or experiment with other seasonings like garlic salt, lemon juice, or lime juice.
• Heat the pan: Heat your chosen oil or butter in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Tilt the pan as the oil warms or the butter melts to coat the bottom evenly.
• Add the shrimp: Once the oil is easily moving around the pan or the butter is melted, it's time to add the shrimp. They should sizzle as soon as they hit the pan. If they don't, simply leave the pan to warm up a little longer.
• Cook the shrimp: Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping only once midway. Depending on the size of your shrimp and the number in the pan, this process will typically take 4 to 6 minutes in total. Keep in mind that shrimp cooks quickly, so don't take your eyes off them to avoid overcooking. Perfectly cooked shrimp will be pink with bright red tails and slightly curled into a "C" shape.
• Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a serving dish and enjoy immediately. Shrimp goes well with pasta or rice, or you can serve it over a bed of greens or with roasted vegetables on the side.

Hot pot shrimp cooking times vs. other ingredients

When it comes to hot pot, the cooking time for shrimp is an important factor to consider. In general, shrimp takes about 1 minute to cook in a hot pot, or until it turns opaque. This is a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients such as beef, which can take up to 1 minute for presliced fatty beef or around 90 seconds for a rare leg of lamb. Chicken, on the other hand, has a longer cooking time, which may deter impatient guests.

When preparing shrimp for hot pot, it is recommended to salt the shrimp and set it aside for 15 minutes before rinsing. This helps to achieve a slightly bouncy texture. Additionally, shrimp can be left whole and unpeeled, which adds flavor to the broth as the shells and fat from the head are cooked. However, this may require guests to use their hands to peel the shrimp while eating.

Other ingredients that pair well with shrimp in a hot pot include vegetables such as Napa cabbage, chrysanthemum greens, and yu choy. These vegetables have different cooking times, with Napa cabbage taking about 10 minutes, chrysanthemum greens 3-4 minutes, and yu choy stalks 30 seconds to maintain texture. For a starchy element, noodles like udon, vermicelli, and chow mein are popular choices, added towards the end of the meal when the soup is most flavorful.

It is worth noting that hot pot is a choose-your-own-adventure meal, and the beauty of it lies in the variety of ingredients that can be used. The cooking times provided are approximate and may vary depending on personal preference and the specific hot pot setup.

Frequently asked questions