Steaming Shrimp: Shell-On For Succulent Seafood

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook the shellfish, as it helps elevate the flavour and tender snap. It's also gentler than boiling, which can sometimes overcook shrimp and make it rubbery. There are many ways to steam shrimp, including using a pot and steamer basket combo, a tamale pot, a Chinese-style bamboo steamer, or even a makeshift steamer made from a heat-safe bowl and plate. When steaming shrimp, it's important to ensure that the shrimp are elevated above the simmering water and not boiling in the water. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp, but generally, it will take around 4 to 6 minutes for them to turn bright pink and become firm.

How to steam shell-on shrimp without overcooking

Steaming is a great way to cook shell-on shrimp without overcooking them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

You will need:

• A large pot with a steamer basket insert or a similar setup (a pot with a strainer, a tamale pot, a Chinese-style bamboo steamer, or a steamer rack)
• Water or a mixture of water and beer/cider vinegar for steaming
• Shell-on shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Optional: Old Bay Seasoning or similar seafood seasoning, olive oil, kosher salt, lemon wedges, parsley, butter, or cocktail sauce for serving

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are completely defrosted before cooking. Rinse the shrimp and, if desired, remove the heads and/or veins. You can also choose to peel the shrimp, leaving the tail on for presentation and ease of eating. However, leaving the shell on during cooking will infuse the shrimp with more flavour.

Step 3: Set Up Your Steamer

Fill the pot with about 1 inch of water, or a water-beer/vinegar mixture. Make sure there are at least 2 inches between the bottom of the steamer basket and the waterline. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat.

Step 4: Steam the Shrimp

Reduce the heat to medium. Place the shrimp in the steamer basket and sprinkle with seasoning, if desired. Place the basket in the pot, cover, and steam for 4 to 6 minutes. For 1 to 2 pounds of shrimp, steam until they curl and turn bright pink, firm to the touch but still slightly bouncy.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the shrimp from the steamer and serve immediately, or chill in an ice bath if serving cold. Shell-on shrimp can be served as-is, or you can peel them before serving. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter, and/or cocktail sauce on the side.

How to steam shell-off shrimp for more flavour

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook them, and you can do it with or without the shell. Leaving the shell on will make the shrimp more juicy, but removing it will allow the flavour of any seasonings to be absorbed directly into the shrimp meat.

First, you'll want to peel and devein your shrimp. The shell can be removed with your fingers, and the vein running through the centre of the shrimp's back can be taken out with the tip of a sharp knife. If the head and legs are still attached, pull them off with your fingers.

Next, you'll need to prepare your steaming equipment. A common setup is a large metal pot with a steamer basket insert that sits on top. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a heat-proof bowl and plate, or a heat-proof colander, placed inside the pot. Make sure there is at least two inches of water in the pot, and that it doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer.

Now, place your shrimp in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and any other seasonings of your choice. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.

Bring the water in the pot to a rapid boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer. Place the seasoned shrimp in the steamer basket, set it on top of the pot, cover with a lid, and steam until fully cooked. This should take around 4-6 minutes for large shrimp, and they will turn bright pink and curl up into a C-shape when done.

Finally, remove the shrimp from the steamer and place them in a serving bowl. You can serve them hot, warm, at room temperature, or cold.

Tips for Extra Flavour:

• Use stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or other beverages instead of water in the steaming pot for added flavour.
• Add aromatics like onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and ginger to the steaming liquid.
• Toss the shrimp in cayenne pepper, black pepper, citrus zest, curry powder, or herbs before steaming for extra kick.
• Make a shrimp stock by saving and freezing shrimp shells, then boiling them with onion, garlic, water, and herbs for an hour. Use this stock in place of water when steaming shrimp for extra shrimp flavour.

How to steam shrimp without a steamer

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook this shellfish, as it helps elevate its flavour and tender snap. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming shrimp without a steamer.

Firstly, you will need to peel and devein the shrimp. The shell can be peeled off with your fingers, and the vein running through the centre of the back can be removed with the tip of a sharp knife. If the head and legs are still attached, pull them off with your fingers.

Next, boil a small amount of water in a saucepan. Fill a large saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and heat on the stove over high heat. If you wish, you can add lemon juice and salt to the water for a more subtle flavour. Place a steamer rack inside the saucepan as the water comes to a boil. If you don't have a steamer rack, you can use a metal or wire mesh colander instead.

Now, place the shrimp on the steamer rack. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other seasonings of your choice. You can also drizzle the shrimp with melted butter or olive oil for added flavour.

Cover the saucepan with a lid and steam the shrimp until they turn opaque. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp, but standard-size shrimp will take around 3 minutes to cook. Check the shrimp after the first 2 minutes to avoid overcooking. When done, shrimp will curl up into a C-shape.

Finally, serve the shrimp immediately. If you plan to serve them chilled, transfer the cooked shrimp to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, then serve.

How to brine shrimp for extra juiciness

Brining shrimp is a great way to ensure your shrimp are extra juicy and tasty. Shrimp are lean, so they can dry out and lack flavour, but brining helps prevent this. Here is a step-by-step guide to brining your shrimp before steaming them.

Step 1: Prepare the Brine

First, you need to make the brine solution. A basic brine is simply a saltwater solution. You can use a ratio of 1 tablespoon of salt to 2 cups of ice water. You can also add a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of baking soda, like Chinese chefs do, to ensure the shrimp has a crisp texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

Next, prepare your shrimp by peeling and deveining them. You can leave the tail on if you want to serve them as peel-and-eat shrimp.

Step 3: Combine Shrimp and Brine

Now, combine the brine and shrimp. You can do this by putting the shrimp in a resealable bag and pouring the brine in, or by using a bowl. Make sure the shrimp are fully submerged in the brine.

Step 4: Chill

Place the shrimp in the refrigerator for about an hour. This will give the brine enough time to soak into the shrimp.

Step 5: Rinse and Cook

After brining, remove the shrimp from the solution, rinse them, and pat them dry. Now they are ready to be steamed!

How to store steamed shrimp

Once you've steamed your shrimp to perfection, you'll want to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and tasty. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your steamed shrimp:

• Cooling the Shrimp: After steaming, it's a good idea to stop the cooking process by transferring the shrimp to an ice water bath. Use a slotted spoon to immerse the shrimp in the ice water for about 5 minutes, then drain the water. This will help prevent overcooking and keep your shrimp nice and tender.
• Refrigeration: For short-term storage, you can keep your steamed shrimp in the refrigerator. Place the cooled shrimp in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or lower. Fresh cooked shrimp will stay safe to eat in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, whether shelled or unshelled.
• Freezing: If you want to store your steamed shrimp for a longer period, freezing is a good option. Wrap the shrimp in freezer-grade plastic or foil and place them in the freezer. Cooked shrimp can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. While it may stay safe to eat beyond that, the quality will start to deteriorate.
• Defrosting: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen shrimp, it's best to defrost them slowly in the refrigerator. This helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Avoid defrosting shrimp at room temperature or under running water.
• Food Safety: Always be mindful of food safety practices. If your shrimp develops an unpleasant odour or appears slimy, discard it immediately. Additionally, if you experience a power outage, it's best to discard perishable items like shrimp from your freezer.

Frequently asked questions