Steaming Spicy Shrimp: A Quick, Easy, And Tasty Guide

Spicy steamed shrimp is a delicious, quick and easy-to-make dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. The gentle cooking technique helps elevate the shrimp's flavour and tender snap. This dish can be made in a large pot with a steamer basket, filled with about an inch of water, and seasoned with ingredients such as vinegar, seafood seasoning, olive oil, salt, chilli powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. The shrimp is cooked until it turns pink or bright orange, which usually takes about 2-6 minutes. Spicy steamed shrimp can be served with a variety of sides, such as cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or a bed of green leaves like spinach or arugula.

Characteristics of Spicy Steamed Shrimp

How to prepare shrimp for cooking

The first step in preparing shrimp for cooking is to select good-quality shrimp. When buying shrimp, avoid those with ice on them or a broken bag, as this indicates that they have been thawed and refrozen. Instead, opt for frozen shrimp that are still in their packaging.

If you are using frozen shrimp, the next step is to defrost them. Place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water and refrigerate them overnight. After they are thawed, soak them in saltwater to replenish their freshness.

Once your shrimp are thawed and refreshed, it's time to remove the shell and legs. Hold the shrimp with a few fingers of one hand and pull off the legs with the other. Then, peel back the shell and remove it, which will also take off the head. At this point, you can also remove the tail if you prefer.

The next step is to devein the shrimp. Make a cut down the back of the shrimp using a small utility or paring knife to expose the vein. Remove the vein with your knife or a toothpick, then rinse the shrimp.

If you are using fresh shrimp, follow the same steps as for frozen shrimp, ensuring that you avoid any shrimp that smells like ammonia.

Once your shrimp are prepared, you can cook them using a variety of methods such as steaming, sautéing, poaching, grilling, or broiling.

How to steam shrimp

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook the shellfish, as it helps elevate the shrimp's flavour and tender snap. It is also gentler on seafood and helps lock in the flavour. Here is how to steam shrimp:

Gather Your Steaming Equipment

You will need a large pot with a steamer basket insert that sits on top. There are holes or perforations at the bottom of the steamer basket to let in steam from the pot below. Make sure the steamer basket is at least two inches above the water level. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a heat-safe bowl and plate, or a heatproof colander set on top of a pot of simmering water.

Prepare the Shrimp

You can brine the shrimp for extra juiciness. Soak your prepped shrimp for 1 hour before cooking in an ice water-salt brine. You can also add sugar and baking soda to the brine. Rinse the shrimp before steaming.

Prepare the Steaming Liquid

Add flavour to the shrimp steaming liquid by using stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or other beverages. You can also add aromatics like onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and ginger. For a spicier option, add cayenne pepper, black pepper, or chilli peppers.

Steam the Shrimp

Place your steamer insert in the pot and bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and add the shrimp. Steam the shrimp for 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are opaque and cooked through. Immediately remove the steamer from the pot. The shrimp should be firm to the touch but still give a little.

Stop the Cooking

Make an ice water bath in a large bowl and transfer the shrimp to the ice bath using a slotted spoon. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain.

How to season shrimp

Seasoning shrimp is a simple process that can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your personal preferences. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season shrimp:

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Before seasoning your shrimp, you will need to decide whether you want to remove the heads, peel the shells, and devein them. Removing the heads can be done by twisting or chopping them off with a knife. For peel-and-eat shrimp, you can leave the shell on, but if you or your guests prefer not to eat the shell, you can remove it by pulling back on each segment. The tail can also be left on or cut off with scissors or a knife, depending on your preference. To devein the shrimp, use a paring knife to cut a slit along the back of each shelled shrimp and remove the dark intestinal tract with the tip of your knife or your fingers. Finally, rinse your shrimp, and they will be ready to be seasoned and cooked.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

When it comes to seasoning shrimp, you have a lot of options. You can go with a simple option like salt and pepper, or you can get creative with spices and herbs. Some popular choices include garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, and fresh or dried herbs like parsley or cilantro. You can also experiment with different liquids like stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or other beverages to add flavor to your shrimp.

Step 3: Add Seasonings to Shrimp

Once you have chosen your seasonings, it's time to add them to the shrimp. If you are using a dry rub or spice blend, you can simply sprinkle it over the shrimp and use your hands or a spoon to coat them evenly. If you are using a liquid seasoning or marinade, you can place the shrimp in a bowl or bag, add the liquid, and toss to coat. You can also try a combination of dry and liquid seasonings to create a more complex flavor profile.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp

After your shrimp are seasoned, it's time to cook them. You can steam, sauté, or grill them, depending on your preference. If you are steaming the shrimp, you will need a steamer basket or pot with a steamer insert. Place the shrimp in the steamer, making sure they are not submerged in water, and steam for 2-6 minutes or until they turn pink and are cooked through. If you are sautéing or grilling the shrimp, heat some oil in a pan or grill to medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side or until opaque and cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your shrimp are cooked, you can serve them as-is or with a dipping sauce like cocktail sauce. They can be enjoyed as an appetizer or added to dishes like salads, tacos, or rice bowls.

How to serve spicy steamed shrimp

Spicy steamed shrimp is a delicious dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here is a guide on how to serve spicy steamed shrimp:

Choosing the Right Shrimp

The first step to serving spicy steamed shrimp is to choose the right shrimp. It is recommended to use wild-caught shrimp, as it is a more sustainable option than farmed shrimp. Look for wild Gulf shrimp, either fresh or frozen, and check the labels to ensure there are minimal preservatives. When it comes to sizing, shrimp are typically sold by weight, and the size referenced ("jumbo", "medium", "small", etc.) corresponds to the number of shrimp per pound. For this recipe, you will need 1 pound of large shrimp, which is about 20-25 shrimp.

Preparing the Shrimp

Before cooking the shrimp, you will need to prepare them. This includes removing the heads, peeling the shells, and deveining. If you prefer peel-and-eat shrimp, you can leave the tail on, otherwise, you can snip it off with scissors or a knife. To devein the shrimp, use a paring knife to cut a slit along the back of the shelled shrimp, exposing the dark intestinal tract. Remove the tract with the tip of your knife or your fingers, and then rinse the shrimp.

Brining (Optional)

If you want extra juicy shrimp, you can brine them before cooking. Soak the prepared shrimp for 1 hour in an ice water-salt brine, using 1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 cups of ice water. You can also add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the brine for even juicier and snappier shrimp. Just be sure to rinse the shrimp before steaming to wash off the baking soda.

Steaming the Shrimp

Now it's time to steam the shrimp! Here's what you'll need to do:

• Place a steamer basket inside a large pot.
• Fill the pot with about 1 inch of water, making sure there is at least a 2-inch gap between the bottom of the basket and the waterline.
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium.
• Add the shrimp to the steamer basket, making sure they are in a single layer if they are extra-large.
• Cover the pot and steam the shrimp for 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are opaque and cooked through.
• To stop the cooking process, transfer the shrimp to an ice water bath using a slotted spoon and let them sit for 5 minutes before draining.

Seasoning the Shrimp

To make your spicy steamed shrimp, you can season them with a variety of spices and ingredients. Here are some options:

• Old Bay Seasoning: This is a classic choice for steamed shrimp and can be added directly to the steaming liquid or sprinkled on top of the shrimp before serving.
• Olive oil: Cooking the shrimp in olive oil adds a delicious flavour.
• Spices: Kosher salt, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper can be added to the shrimp during cooking for a spicy kick.
• Aromatics: You can also add aromatics to the steaming liquid, such as onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and ginger.
• Citrus: A splash of citrus juice, such as lemon or lime, can add a bright note to the dish.

Serving Options

Finally, here are some ways you can serve your spicy steamed shrimp:

• As an appetizer, with a dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce.
• Over cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or a bed of green leaves like spinach or arugula.
• In salads, tacos, or wraps.
• As part of a larger meal, such as shrimp ceviche, fresh spring rolls, or cream cheese shrimp dip.

How to store spicy steamed shrimp

Storing spicy steamed shrimp is simple, and there are a few ways to do it. Firstly, you can store cooked shrimp in the refrigerator for about a day. To do this, prepare an ice water bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water. Place the cooked shrimp in the ice bath for 5 minutes using a slotted spoon, then drain the water and keep the shrimp in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve them.

Another option is to freeze cooked shrimp. While it is preferable to keep uncooked shrimp frozen, storing cooked shrimp in the freezer is still an option.

Additionally, if you're storing spicy steamed shrimp as part of a dish, such as a shrimp cocktail, you can poach the shrimp instead of steaming them. To do this, cook the shrimp in water at a low simmer for about four minutes. Check if they're bright pink and firm, and if so, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it stand for about two minutes before draining the shrimp.

Frequently asked questions