Wondering how to cook shrimp? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to cook shrimp on the stovetop: and it only takes 4 minutes to cook!
Are you a shrimp fan? Alex and I eat mostly plant-based foods, but we do eat seafood sometimes. And one of our favorite seafood dishes is shrimp: for obvious reasons. There are countless ways to eat it (tacos, grilled skewers, with couscous), and the quick cooking time makes it perfect for weeknight meals. Cooking time 2 to 4 minutes? Yes, please! The quickest way to cook shrimp is on the stove: it couldn’t be easier. How to cook shrimp: our easy cooking method and a few other ways to eat them.
Related: Grilled salmon with bourbon glaze
How to cook shrimp
Cooking shrimp on the stove is one of the easiest ways to prepare them! You can cook peeled or unpeeled shrimp depending on your preference! If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed (see below). For this method, we used a simple spice mix: chopped fresh garlic and butter. It’s simple, classic, and hits the mark every time.
How to cook shrimp on the stove:
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely.
- Dry the shrimp and mix them with the chopped garlic and salt.
- In a large skillet, melt a few tablespoons of butter. Add the shrimp and cook, turning with tongs, until opaque and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- Spritz with fresh lemon or lime juice (optional). Serve immediately!
scroll down for the full recipe!
How to thaw frozen shrimp
How do I thaw frozen shrimp? There are several options: if you’re thinking ahead, just pop the frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight.
If using them the same day (which we usually do!), place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl of very cold water. Shake the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps of shrimp that have frozen together. Shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 minutes.
How to buy sustainable shrimp
Finally, a quick note on buying sustainable shrimp. Alex and I try to buy sustainable seafood whenever possible. While researching how to buy sustainable seafood, Alex and I learned look for wild fish if possible. If you live in the United States, look for the united states taken if you can 90% of the seafood we eat in the United States is imported. Imported seafood is at risk of being overfished, caught under unfair labor conditions, or farmed in environmentally harmful ways.
It is also important how your fish is caught. Seek hook and line as an example of a type of durable gear. Bottom trawling is considered to be the most destructive and least sustainable method.
Fresh or Frozen Shrimp: Which is Better?
If you are wondering about fresh shrimp vs frozen shrimp, frozen is good too! One myth about fish is “fresh is better”. As soon as an animal dies, it begins to decompose; Freezing suspends this process. If a fish is frozen when you catch it and stays frozen until it gets to your kitchen, it’s of higher quality than a raw fish that took a week to get to your plate.
How to serve sautéed shrimp
After preparing the recipe below and cooking your shrimp on the stovetop, how do you serve them? There are a variety of ways to serve shrimp; Here are some of our favorite ways to accessorize this recipe:
There you have it: how to cook shrimp!
Scroll down to our recipe for the exact steps to cook shrimp on the stovetop!
And are you looking for more ways to cook shrimp? Scroll down below the recipe for a list of our favorite ways.
This recipe is…
Pescetarian and gluten free. Use olive oil for non-dairy products.
The description
Wondering how to cook shrimp? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to cook shrimp on the stovetop: and it only takes 4 minutes to cook!
- 1 Pound large shrimp, deveined (peeled or unpeeled)
- 3 Garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 lemon wedges (or lime)
- Cilantro or shredded parsley for garnish
- Thaw shrimp (see notes above).
- Chop the garlic.
- Dry the shrimp. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the garlic and salt.
- In a large skillet, heat the butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp, 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until opaque and cooked through, flipping with tongs.
- Drizzle with the juice of the lemon slices and serve immediately.
- Category: main course
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: American
Keywords: How to cook shrimp, How to cook shrimp on the stove
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Last update: March 2020
