Steam Cooking Shrimp: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Method

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook the shellfish, helping to elevate its flavour and tender snap. It's also a gentle cooking method that makes it harder to overcook your shrimp, which can happen when boiling. To steam shrimp, you'll need a steamer setup that keeps the food elevated from the simmering water below. There are various options for this, including a large pot with a steamer basket insert, a tamale pot, a Chinese-style bamboo steamer, or a steamer rack. You can also create a makeshift steamer by turning a heat-safe bowl upside down in a regular stock pot and placing a heavy, heat-safe plate on top. Once you have your equipment, you'll want to brine the shrimp for extra juiciness, add your steaming liquid, and then place your shrimp in the steamer and cook until they're curled and bright pink.

How to steam shrimp without a steamer basket

Steaming shrimp is one of the best ways to cook this shellfish, as it helps elevate the shrimp's flavour and tender snap. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming shrimp without a steamer basket.

Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

• Shrimp (still in their shells)
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Salt
• Ice water (optional)
• Saucepan with lid
• Steamer rack or metal colander
• Slotted spoon
• Large bowl
• Stove

Prepare the Shrimp

Peel and devein the shrimp. The shell can be peeled off with your fingers, and the dark vein running through the shrimp's 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. Cut down the centre of the shrimp's back with a paring knife, making a shallow cut that is just deep enough to reveal the vein. Dig the vein out with the tip of your knife.

Boil Water in a Saucepan

Fill a large saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water and heat on the stove over high heat. Place a steamer rack inside the saucepan as the water comes to a boil. If you do not have a steamer rack, you can use a metal or wire mesh colander instead. Ensure that the water level is below the bottom of the steamer rack or colander.

Cook the Shrimp

Place the shrimp on the steamer rack in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other seasonings of your choice. Cover the saucepan and steam the shrimp until they turn opaque and curl up into a C-shape. The exact amount of time will vary depending on the size of your shrimp, but standard-sized shrimp will cook in about 3 minutes once steam starts building inside the pan. For jumbo or colossal shrimp, add another 2 to 3 minutes of cooking time.

Serve the Shrimp

If you plan to serve the shrimp chilled, immediately remove them from the steamer rack using a slotted spoon and dunk them into a bowl of ice water. If you plan to serve the shrimp hot, transfer them from the steamer rack to a serving dish and serve immediately.

How to brine shrimp for extra juiciness

Brining is a great way to ensure your shrimp are plump, juicy, and full of flavor. It's a simple process that only takes an hour or so and will make a big difference to the taste and texture of your shrimp.

First off, what is brining? It's simply the process of soaking your shrimp in a saltwater solution. The saltwater solution can also include sugar, herbs, or spices. As the shrimp soak, they absorb some of the brine, adding liquid, and therefore juiciness, and the salt adds flavor.

How to Brine Shrimp

To brine shrimp, you'll want to follow these steps:

• Combine cold water, salt, and sugar (if using) in a large non-reactive container. Stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved.
• Transfer the brine to a resealable bag and add your shrimp. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.
• Place the bag in the refrigerator for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove the shrimp from the brine and pat them dry. Now they're ready to cook!

Tips

• Don't rinse the shrimp before cooking. You don't want to wash away all the flavor you've just added.
• If your shrimp are still frozen, make sure to thaw them before brining.
• You can add ingredients like bay leaves, spices, and herbs to the brine if you want to impart different flavors.
• Peeled shrimp will brine more quickly, so adjust your timing accordingly.

How to season shrimp

Seasoning shrimp is a matter of personal preference, but here are some tips to help you get started:

Firstly, decide whether you want to emphasise the natural flavour of the shrimp or use them as a vehicle for seasonings. If you want to keep things simple, steam your shrimp with plain water and a few slices of lemon. This will enhance the sweetness of the shrimp without overwhelming it.

If you want to add more flavour, you can swap the water for another liquid such as stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, or any other beverage you like. You can also add aromatics to the steaming liquid. Try vegetables like onions, celery, and carrots, or garlic and ginger. For extra heat, add chilli peppers or cayenne pepper, or use curry powder or Thai curry paste for an Asian-inspired dish. You can also experiment with herbs and spices such as black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, cilantro, and parsley.

If you want to add seasoning directly to the shrimp, you can coat them in citrus zest, herbs, or a splash of vermouth or sherry. For an Asian-style dish, try a drizzle of oyster sauce or Thai curry paste. Just remember that if you're adding liquid seasoning, 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, it's also important to consider the cooking method. Steaming is a gentler method than boiling, which can make it easier to control the doneness of the shrimp and prevent overcooking. However, if you do choose to boil your shrimp, you can still add seasonings to the water to infuse flavour.

How to steam frozen shrimp

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook shrimp. The gentle cooking technique helps elevate the shrimp's flavour and tender snap. It is also a convenient method because you need less water, which means you don't have to wait as long for it to boil.

First, decide on the steaming equipment you will use. You can use a pot with a steamer basket insert, a tamale pot, a Chinese-style bamboo steamer, or a regular stock pot with a heat-safe bowl and plate inside.

Next, prepare your shrimp. If your shrimp is frozen, there is no need to thaw it beforehand. Simply remove the desired amount of shrimp from the bag and place them into a strainer or colander. Rinse them well and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic, or your preferred seasoning blend.

Now, it's time to set up your steamer. Fill a large pot with about an inch or two of water and bring it to a boil. If you are using an electric countertop steamer, fill the reservoir with water to the fill line. If you're using a rice cooker with a built-in steamer, add 1 to 1.5 cups of water for every 2 cups of frozen shrimp. Place your steaming basket or vessel into the pot, ensuring that it is elevated above the water level.

Add the shrimp to the steaming basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cover the pot and steam for 5-6 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even cooking. For 1 to 2 pounds of shrimp, steam for 4 to 6 minutes until they curl and turn bright pink. You can also add any additional flavourings, such as lemon slices or seasonings, directly to the steaming basket before covering.

Once the shrimp are cooked, they should be firm to the touch but still slightly bouncy. Immediately remove the steamer from the pot to prevent overcooking. Serve your steamed shrimp hot or chilled, alongside your favourite vegetables or as a tasty salad topper. Enjoy!

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 slightly opaque and a little white. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will turn bright white and become rubbery.

Another way to tell is to look at the shape of the shrimp. Fresh shrimp are straighter than cooked ones. When they start to curl into a C-shape, they are cooked. If they continue to cook and twist into an O-shape, they are overcooked.

You can also test the internal temperature of the shrimp with a thermometer. They should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 ºF.

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and the cooking method. Shrimp with shells on will take longer to cook than those without. Small shrimp typically take 1-2 minutes per side in a hot pan, while larger shrimp may take 2-3 minutes per side.

Frequently asked questions