3 Ways to Cook Steamed Shrimps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

When preparing steamed shrimp, the first thing to remember is that they cook quickly, so you have to be careful with time. You can cook them on the stove, in the oven or with the microwave; this article will tell you how to do it step by step.

Ingrediants

Steam Shrimp Using the Stove

Yield: 2-4 servings

• 450 g prawns (not yet peeled)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice (optional)
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
• Ice water (optional)

Steaming Shrimp Using the Oven

Yield: 2-4 servings

• 450 g prawns (not yet peeled)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of melted butter or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)

Steaming Shrimps Using the Microwave

Yield: 2-4 servings

• 450 g prawns (not yet peeled)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• Ice water (optional)

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Steaming Shrimp Using the Stove

Step 1. Remove the shells and intestines from the shrimp

The transparent carapace can be peeled off with the fingers and the dark-colored casing that runs along the back of the shrimp can be removed with the tip of a small sharp knife.

• If the shrimp are whole, remove the head and legs as well by peeling them off with your fingers.

  

• Use your fingers to remove the carapace. Start at the head and work your way up to the tail. The latter can be detached or left for decorative purposes.

  

• Make a cut in the center of the back of the shrimp using a small sharp knife. A shallow, shallow cut is enough to remove the dark intestine.

  

• Remove the gut using the tip of the knife.

  

Step 2. Bring some water to a boil in a saucepan

Pour 3-5 cm of water into the bottom of a large saucepan and heat it on the stove over high heat. When the water boils, place the steamer basket in the pot.

• If you wish, you can add lemon juice and salt to the water instead of using them to season the shrimp. This way they will have a more natural and delicate flavor.

  

• If you don't have a steamer or steamer basket you can use a simple metal colander.

  

• Make sure that the water boiling in the pot does not come into contact with the bottom of the basket, otherwise the shrimp will be boiled and not steamed.

  

Step 3. Place the shrimp in the basket

Arrange them in a single layer and season them to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder or your favorite spices.

• If possible, try to arrange the shrimp in a single layer. If they are many and overlap they will cook anyway but the cooking could be slightly uneven. In any case, the difference will be almost imperceptible.

  

• Since the steamer basket has a hole in the bottom, it is better not to turn the prawns after seasoning them, otherwise most of the aromas will fall into the water.

  

• If you have salted the water, there is no need to add salt to the shrimp.

Step 4. Let the shrimp cook until they turn opaque

The amount of time required may vary based on the size of the shrimp. If they are a standard size, cover the pot and let them cook for about 3 minutes after the steam begins to build.

• The pot must remain covered while cooking the shrimp. Use the lid to trap the steam needed to cook them.

  

• Wait for the steam to start coming out from under the lid before starting the timer. It may take a few minutes for this to happen.

  

• Check the shrimp after 2 minutes to prevent them from being overcooked.

  

• Cooking the prawns will arch and take the shape of the letter "C"; at that point they should be ready.

  

• If it's jumbo or giant shrimp, add another 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

Step 5. Dip the shrimp in ice water if you intend to serve them cold

As soon as they are cooked, remove them from the basket using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water.

When it's time to serve the shrimp, drain them from the ice water using a colander

Step 6. Place the shrimp directly on the plates if you prefer to eat them hot

Remove them from the basket using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving dish.

Bring them to the table immediately to eat them hot. Do not put them in the refrigerator and then reheat them, or you will end up overcooking them. Overcooked shrimp have a chewy, unpleasant texture

Method 2 of 3: Steaming Shrimp Using the Oven

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 230 ° C

Turn it on and let it warm up; in the meantime, grease the bottom and sides of a small pan.

If you prefer, you can line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, but it's best to use oil or another fat of your choice to give the shrimp more flavor

Step 2. Clean the shrimp

If you have chosen to cook them in the oven, it is best to leave the shell, so you do not need to shell them. Even in this case, however, you must remove the intestine with the tip of a knife after making a small incision along the back of the shrimp.

• You can practice the cut using a pair of kitchen scissors. Cut the carapace and cut the pulp of the prawns superficially, just enough to reach the gut.

  

• At this point, extract the gut using the tip of a knife.

  

Step 3. Rinse and drain the shrimp

Put them in a colander and wash them briefly under cold running water, then drain them from the excess water.

• Place the colander over a few layers of kitchen paper after letting the shrimp drain off most of the excess water. The paper will protect the countertop and absorb any remaining moisture.

  

Step 4. Arrange the shrimp in the pan you prepared earlier

Arrange them in a single, even layer.

Arranging the shrimp in a single layer facilitates even cooking, but if there are a lot of shrimp you can arrange them in 2 neat layers (no more)

Step 5. Add the melted butter or oil

Pour them over the prawns and, if you wish, also add salt, black pepper, garlic powder and any other spices to taste.

• Gently mix the shrimp to distribute the seasonings better.

  

Step 6. Cover the pan and place it in the oven

Before putting the shrimp in the oven, cover the pan with aluminum foil without sealing it. After 5 minutes of cooking, take out the pan to mix the shrimp. If they are of standard size, let them cook for a total of 7-8 minutes, while if they are larger, add a few more minutes.

• If it is jumbo or giant shrimp, cook them for 2 to 4 minutes longer.
• After the first 5 minutes of cooking, flip or mix the shrimp using a perforated spatula, spatula or kitchen tongs.
• It is important to create a cover with aluminum foil to trap the steam inside the pan.

Step 7. Serve the shrimp hot

Drain the excess liquid and transfer them to a serving dish.

Method 3 of 3: Steaming Shrimp Using the Microwave

Step 1. Place the shrimp in a microwave safe container

Arrange them in a single layer with the tails facing out.

• It is advisable to use a round glass dish, preferably with a lid. Alternatively, you can use a different container, as long as it allows you to arrange the shrimp in a single uniform layer.
• The best solution would be to use a silicone steamer basket, but this is not very common. Thanks to this type of basket, the juices of the food are transformed into steam, favoring cooking.
• Don't use a container that forces you to stack the shrimp or they won't cook evenly.

Step 2. Add the water, lemon juice, oil and spices

Pour the liquid ingredients over the shrimp, then sprinkle them with salt, pepper and any other spices to taste. Adjust the quantities according to your personal tastes.

• There should be only a small amount of liquids at the bottom of the container, so do not add any other than those indicated. The risk is that the shrimp will turn out to be boiled and not steamed.

  

• Gently stir the shrimp with a spoon to distribute the toppings, then arrange them back in their original position with the tail facing out of the container.

  

Step 3. Cover the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque

Cover the container with a lid or cling film. As they cook, the prawns will arch into the shape of a "C"; at that point they should be ready. The cooking time required may vary based on the size of the shrimp.

• Shrimps and small prawns need about 2-3 minutes to cook.

  

• Medium or standard sized shrimp will cook in 3-5 minutes.

  

• Jumbo shrimp need 6 to 8 minutes to cook.
• If the shrimp are really giant it could take up to 10 minutes.
• Check if the shrimp are cooked once the minimum cooking time is reached.
• Drill 4 holes in the film with the tines of a fork to allow the steam to escape.
• If you used a container with a lid, place it slightly at an angle to help the steam escape or leave the vent valves open.
• The container must be nearly sealed for the shrimp to be steamed, but not too much pressure should build up inside.

Step 4. Let the shrimp rest briefly before serving

Wait a couple of minutes before draining the excess liquid. Serve them still hot.

• Standard-sized shrimp and shrimp only need 1 minute to rest, while large or giant shrimps need to rest for a couple of minutes.
• Tilt the container over the sink to drain any excess liquid. Alternatively, you can transfer the shrimp to a serving dish using a slotted spoon.
• Since the prawns still have their intestines, provide diners with a small, pointed knife so that they can remove it before eating it if desired. The gut is not harmful to health, but it has an unsightly appearance and texture.
• If you prefer, you can refrigerate the shrimp and serve them cold. Depending on the recipe, you can soak them in a bowl filled with ice water to immediately stop the cooking process and then let them cool in the refrigerator for at least 30-60 minutes.