Steaming Succulent Shrimp: The Ultimate Guide To Using An Instant Steamer

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook the shellfish, helping to elevate its flavour and tender snap. It's also a gentler method of cooking than boiling, which can sometimes overcook shrimp and make it rubbery. There are many ways to steam shrimp, from using a large metal pot with a steamer basket insert to creating a makeshift steamer with a heat-safe bowl and plate.

How to prepare shrimp for steaming

Preparing shrimp for steaming is a simple process, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a guide on how to prepare shrimp for steaming:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. For this cooking method, you will need a large pot with a steamer basket insert or a similar setup that keeps the food elevated above the water. You will also need shrimp, preferably fresh and with the shell and tail still on. Other ingredients you may want include vinegar, lemon, seasoning, and oil.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Shrimp

If your shrimp are not already cleaned, you will need to remove the heads, shells, and veins. To remove the heads, simply twist or chop them off. For the shells, grab onto the section of the shell that meets the belly and pull back. You can leave the tail on to make it easier to grab the shrimp with your fingers when eating. To devein the shrimp, use a paring knife to cut a slit along the back of the shelled shrimp and remove the dark intestinal tract. Rinse the shrimp after cleaning.

Step 3: Brine the Shrimp (Optional)

Brining the shrimp is an optional step, but it can help make them juicier and more flavourful. Create a brine solution by mixing one tablespoon of salt with two cups of ice water. You can also add a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of baking soda, like Chinese chefs sometimes do, to ensure a crisp and snappy texture. Soak the shrimp in this brine for about an hour before cooking, then rinse them before steaming.

Step 4: Season the Shrimp (Optional)

Seasoning the shrimp before steaming is another optional step, but it can enhance the flavour. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as Old Bay, cayenne pepper, black pepper, citrus zest, curry powder, or herbs. Simply sprinkle the desired amount of seasoning over the shrimp and toss to coat evenly.

Step 5: Prepare the Steamer

Fill the large pot with about an inch of water, making sure there is at least a two-inch gap between the bottom of the steamer basket and the waterline. Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high to bring the water to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and place the prepared shrimp in the steamer basket. Make sure the shrimp are not touching the water. Cover the pot and let the shrimp steam for 4 to 6 minutes, or until they curl and turn bright pink/orange.

And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy your perfectly steamed shrimp.

How to steam shrimp without a steamer

Preparation

Firstly, peel and devein the shrimp with your fingers. You can leave the tail on for decoration if you wish. Devein the shrimp by cutting down the centre of the shrimp's back with a paring knife and dig out the vein with the tip of your knife.

Cooking

Fill a cooking pot with enough water to submerge the shrimp. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the water to a boil.

Add the shrimp to the boiling water and stir well. Cover the pot with a lid and turn off the heat after five minutes. Allow the shrimp to soak up the marinade for ten minutes.

Serving

Check the shrimp are cooked by looking for opaque, white and pink flesh. Drain the marinade and serve.

Alternative Methods

If you don't have a steamer, you can use a metal or wire mesh colander, or even a splatter screen. You can also steam shrimp in the oven or microwave.

How to season shrimp for steaming

There are many ways to season shrimp for steaming. The gentle cooking technique helps elevate the shrimp's flavour and tender snap, so it's important to choose seasonings that complement this.

Firstly, decide whether you want to highlight the natural flavours of the shrimp or use it as a vehicle for seasonings. If you want to let the shrimp's simple flavours shine, use plain water or water with a few slices of lemon as your steaming liquid.

If you want to add more flavour, you can swap water for another liquid like stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or any other beverage you like. You can also add aromatics to the steaming liquid, such as onions, celery, carrots, garlic, or ginger. For extra spice, add chilli peppers, black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, cilantro, or parsley.

If you want to add seasonings directly to the shrimp, you can toss them in cayenne pepper, black pepper, citrus zest, curry powder, or herbs before steaming. For a more Asian-influenced preparation, try a drizzle of oyster sauce or Thai curry paste. If you're adding liquid seasonings like vermouth or sherry, it's best to steam the shrimp on a plate or bowl so that the seasoning doesn't fall through the holes of your steamer.

When seasoning shrimp for steaming, it's important to remember that your steaming liquid should be more heavily seasoned than you might think. It should be almost too flavorful to eat on its own so that the steam will impart just enough flavour to your shrimp.

Now, let's get into some specific examples of how to season shrimp for steaming:

• Old Bay Seasoned Steamed Shrimp: This recipe calls for a combination of water, vinegar, and seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay) to be brought to a boil in a saucepan. Add the shrimp and reduce the heat to medium. Cover and steam until the shrimp are bright orange, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Spicy Steamed Shrimp: Bring water to a boil in a large pot and place the shrimp in a steamer basket on top. Season the shrimp with Old Bay seasoning and cover. Steam until pink, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• 15-Minute Old Bay Steamed Shrimp: Combine shrimp with olive oil, kosher salt, and Old Bay seasoning in a large bowl. Place water and beer in a skillet or pot and bring to a boil. Add the seasoned shrimp to a steamer basket and place it on top of the skillet or pot. Cover and steam until fully cooked, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Remember, when seasoning shrimp for steaming, it's important to ensure your steamer setup keeps the shrimp elevated from the simmering water below. You want the shrimp to cook in the steam, not boil in the water. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and liquids to find your favourite flavour combinations!

How to tell when shrimp are cooked

There are several ways to tell when shrimp are cooked. The most obvious is to look at the colour. Raw shrimp are grey, whereas cooked shrimp are white with pink and red undertones. The flesh should be opaque and the exterior pink with red tails. However, be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will turn bright white.

Another way to tell when shrimp are cooked is to look at their shape. Raw shrimp are fairly straight, but as they cook, they will start to curl into a C-shape. If they curl into an O-shape, they are overcooked.

If you have a thermometer, you can also check the internal temperature of the shrimp. They should be cooked to 165 ºF.

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and the cooking method. Small shrimp typically take 1-2 minutes per side in a hot pan, while larger shrimp may take 2-3 minutes per side.

How to store steamed shrimp

Storing steamed shrimp is simple. If you're planning to eat the shrimp within the next few days, wrap it tightly in plastic or place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Set your refrigerator to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Steamed shrimp will stay safe to eat for up to three to four days in the refrigerator, whether it's shelled or unshelled.

If you're not planning to eat the shrimp within three to four days, you can freeze it. Wrap the shrimp in freezer-grade plastic or foil and place it in the freezer. It will stay safe to eat indefinitely, but for the best quality, eat it within three months.

When you're ready to eat your frozen shrimp, defrost it in the refrigerator to help prevent harmful bacteria from growing. If the shrimp smells strange or appears slimy after defrosting, throw it away.

Frequently asked questions