How to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking

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Many recipes call for shrimp, but before you can skewer them, boil them for your favorite cocktail sauce, or use them in a stir fry, they require a few minutes of preparation. The process is almost the same whether you have fresh shrimp or frozen.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Preparing Frozen Shrimp

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  2. Look for ice on the shrimp or a break in the bag. If you see ice on the shrimp, it's likely the shrimp have been thawed and refrozen. Select a different bag to buy.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
    Remove the shrimp from the bag and refrigerate overnight in a bowl of cold water.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
    Remove the shell to the shrimp by holding it with a few fingers of one hand and pull off its legs using the fingers of your other hand. [1]
    • Peel back the shell and remove by using your thumbs, and remove. The head will come off too.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
    The shell will also come off.
  7. You will see the vein. [2]
    • Pull the vein out using your knife and rinse the shrimp. You can also use something small like a toothpick to remove the vein.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Preparing Fresh Shrimp

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
    The only difference is the smell of fresh shrimp. [3]
    • If you smell something that smells like ammonia, this is shrimp to avoid. [4]
    • Otherwise, prepare the fresh shrimp the same way as you would frozen shrimp; removing the shell/head, tail optional, and the vein.

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  • Question
    Should I eat the legs of shrimp?
    Community Answer
    They're OK to eat, but not that tasty; plus, they're hard.
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  • Question
    If I am baking my shrimp in the oven, do I have to remove the shell?
    Community Answer
    I wouldn't think so. Leaving them in the shell keeps them moist, and the shell itself has a ton of flavor that cooks into the shrimp.
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  • Question
    Is the first step with raw shrimp to steam them?
    Community Answer
    No. First you pull off their shell and twist off their heads. If you are making ceviche, then marinate them in lime juice to cook them.
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      Tips

      • Once your shrimp has been cooked, it's best eaten within two days. [5]
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      • While frozen-bought shrimp will last approximately six months in the freezer at home, even if it's wrapped well, it will lose its texture. [6]
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      • Prepare and use fresh shrimp within a day or two.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Bowl of cold water
      • Bowl of salt water
      • Paring or utility knife
      • Toothpick (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-peel-amp-devein-shrimp-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-217120
      2. ↑ https://www.finecooking.com/article/how-to-peel-and-devein-shrimp
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/08/how-to-pick-shrimp-varieties-freshness-guide.html
      4. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/selecting-and-serving-fresh-and-frozen-seafood-safely
      5. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18320
      6. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18321

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If your shrimp is frozen, thaw them by placing them in a bowl of cold water and refrigerating them overnight. After they’re thawed, replenish their freshness by soaking them in salt water. Next, remove the shell by grabbing the shrimp’s legs with one hand and shell with the other hand, then pulling off the legs. Then, remove the tail by holding the body and pulling on the tail. Devein the shrimp by slicing down the back of the shrimp until you see the vein, then removing it with a toothpick. To learn how to make sure your shrimp is good quality, keep reading!

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      • Anonymous

        Aug 12, 2017

        "This was an easier way for me to devein shrimp."
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