Almost everyone knows that shrimp officially falls under the seafood category. Shrimp has gained some popularity worldwide for its delicious taste and texture. The cooking technique is the most important thing in shrimp cooking. This article will address how to know if shrimp is cooked well.
In this article, we will try to cover every fact about shrimp and its nutritional value. We will also try to give you the correct knowledge about the difference between cooked and overcooked shrimp. We will also learn some easy recipes that will include shrimp in them. This article will also tell you about the harmful effects it can cause if we eat overcooked shrimp or raw shrimp.
1. What Is Shrimp?
Shrimp has been a seafood for decades now. We can have shrimp anywhere around the world. It is one of the most famous seafood. The first recorded instance of people considering shrimp as a food item occurred in South Africa. The Internet has connected people, enabling us to learn about the cuisines of multiple countries. Shrimp are seafood, and of course, because we obtain them from the sea itself, like fish and other seafood. It has a greyish-transparent body and is a very good source of protein.
People who live near water bodies or visit beaches way too often mostly love shrimp. Almost every cafe and restaurant serves it, but it might be expensive at a few places. People usually prefer to eat shrimp in hotels or restaurants. However, proper technique and knowledge are required to cook it perfectly at home. We can’t say we can make only one dish using shrimp because we can prepare many different and fun recipes.
Every country uses the same ingredients in various ways to form a new dish. Shrimp have many health-beneficial properties, but cooking them perfectly can be tricky. If we leave it undercooked, it can taste bad and cause stomach issues. Overcooked shrimp is also bad to consume because it can cause food poisoning. People often confuse shrimp and prawns, even though both belong to the seafood category; they are entirely different. Although they can be identical, shrimp have fewer legs than prawns.
2. What Is The Correct Technique To Cook Shrimp?
There is no particular way to cook seafood; we can use any method that suits us. One thing to remember is that we should avoid cooking shrimp on high flame. This method cooks the shrimp from the outside, but they will be raw from the inside, which can cause problems for our bodies. Steaming the shrimp is the best cooking technique. This will cook the shrimp perfectly and preserve its delicious taste inside. However, as long as we are careful, we can also use other ways to cook shrimp.
Sauteing can be a really good technique for cooking shrimp. When we cook it this way, we wait until the shrimp turns pink, which indicates that it is perfectly cooked. After the cooking technique, we should discuss the nutritional value of shrimp. There is one more thing to keep in mind while dealing with shrimp. Raw shrimp is chewy if we try to eat it as it is. Overcooked shrimp also has a chewy texture, and we will never be able to chew it properly or swallow it.
3. Nutritive Value In Shrimp
People who work daily or try to follow a healthy diet may always know the nutritional value of different items. Shrimp is a very rich source of protein, and it can fulfil most of our daily protein requirements. Not only is it a great source of protein, but it is also a great source of fat, along with many other important elements. It also gives our body a particular amount of vitamin B and micronutrients.
When it comes to whether we can eat shrimp every day or eat it only occasionally, the answer is that it is 100 percent safe to eat shrimp every day. People who live their whole lives near some water body eventually grow the habit of eating seafood every day, and that includes shrimp. Seafood is completely safe if we combine it with some vegetables to get the other nutrients. Now that we have talked about the nutritional values of shrimp, we should also talk a little about the difference between small and large shrimp.
4. Difference Between Small Shrimp And Large Shrimp
Many people struggle to choose the correct size of shrimp. Shrimp are available in many sizes, ranging from small to jumbo. It is important to note that the size of the shrimp depends on the individual market. The mode used to measure shrimp can also differ from country to country. Now the question is which size of shrimp is best to get. When we spend money on something, we always try to get the best thing and enjoy it to the maximum. According to many people and food places, it is best to use the small shrimp because they are a little sweet and tender.
This makes the shrimp taste better and enhances its flavour when mixed with spices. If we use large shrimp, it can feel a little tasteless and will not be too tender. The large shrimp also don’t absorb the species in all the different dishes. We can also use medium-sized shrimp because some dishes don’t want large or small shrimp but something in between. If we have the proper knowledge, we can create many new dishes, including shrimp and other items.
Choose Medium to Jumbo Shrimp
I recommend medium to jumbo shrimp for those new to purchasing and cooking shrimp. On the package, this should read as 26/30 on the bag or even 41/50. This means there are 26-30 or 41-50 shrimp per pound. For those new to shrimp, these are the easiest to cook with. A good rule of thumb for these sizes of shrimp is to cook them for about 3 minutes on medium-high heat. The shrimp should slightly curl and turn opaque with a pinkish-orange colour.
It is overcooked if the shrimp has a firm curl or is all pink. If it is gray in colour or transparent, it will still need a bit more cooking time. To enhance the shrimp’s natural flavour, I always peel my shrimp and save the shells. Start with butter in a pan, sauté the shrimp shells with small-diced onions, garlic, a bay leaf, and some fresh thyme.
Once the shells turn pink (they will also let some moisture out), add the shrimp and remove the shells. Cook the shrimp for 3 minutes, then finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can always start to get creative with this base by adding white wine, brandy, etc., right before adding the shrimp (just make sure to cook off the alcohol first)! Bon appétit!
Eric Mah, Chef Instructor
5. How To Know If Shrimp Is Cooked?
Now, we can see that everyone wants to know when shrimp is properly cooked. This part of the article will focus on cooking shrimp correctly. We will also tell you different ways to detect whether shrimp is cooked or will take longer.
5.1. By The Appearance
Well, we all know that shrimp is grey and transparent when raw. When we cook shrimp, they tend to change their appearance, which is easy to detect. Shrimps are transparent multi-legged sea creatures; we can find them in any water body, like the sea or ocean. Now, when we cook shrimp in a pan, we can easily see them, and it becomes easy to tell if they are ready to eat. The raw shrimp is kind of straight in shape, but when we cook them, they curl inwards. The shrimp also turns pink when cooked in any utensil.
Now is the chance to observe if the shrimp is cooked or needs to be cooked for a little longer. If the shrimp turn opaque, it is safe to say they are cooked. We also have to check the shrimp’s curl. When the shrimp is curled in C, we can understand that it is perfectly cooked. If the shrimp curls and forms a shape similar to O, it indicates that the shrimp is overcooked.
5.2. By Observing The Texture
When cooking shrimp, it is important to know if it is cooked yet or needs to be cooked longer. Eating raw shrimp can cause many stomach issues, and overcooked shrimp can cause food poisoning. Both can be dangerous for our health. This is another method for determining whether the shrimp is cooked yet. We should observe the shrimp’s texture to decide whether it is ready to eat. When oil is visible in the pan, the shrimp must cook for a little longer.
When the shrimp leaves the oil and curls into a C, it is ready to eat. Even after this, we should try to check it with a spatula. It is cooked from the outside if it takes its previous shape back. But this also indicates that the shrimp is still raw from the inside, and we should cook it by closing the lid for a few minutes. Now, you can check it and serve it beautifully.
5.3. The Taste Test
This is the easiest and most convenient way to know whether the shrimp is cooked. After checking the colour and shape of the shrimp, we can follow this method. The boiled shrimp should be pink. If you observe that everything is fine but still unsatisfied, you should taste the shrimp. If the texture of the shrimp makes it difficult to cut through with our teeth, we need to cook it more. The shrimp is slightly raw when the outer layer feels fine, but the inner part feels fleshy.
When we go out to eat in a restaurant or cafe, in their kitchen, we see that even though they are professionals, they still choose to taste before serving anything. This can help them provide us with their best service and make our day better.
5.4. Temperature
There is always a professional way to check something while cooking any dish. Thermometers are available to check the temperature of different food items. We can’t cook everything at the same temperature, so we need a guide to do it correctly. We can easily understand which temperature is best for cooking shrimp.
We suggest that everyone cook shrimp only on low to medium flames. The heat on the high flame can burn the shrimp from the outside without cooking it from the inside. Now, we have covered almost everything related to shrimp. We should also discuss some of the possible risks of eating the shrimp. We will also discuss a few recipes, including shrimp.
Cooking Shrimp: Common Misconceptions and Proper Techniques
Misconception: Shrimp should be cooked until they turn opaque throughout.
- Understanding: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking can produce a tough, rubbery texture. Shrimp only need to be cooked until they turn opaque and pink on the outside, with a slightly translucent center. Cooking them beyond this point can lead to dryness and loss of flavour.
- Technique: Cook shrimp until they turn opaque and pink, usually around 2-3 minutes per side for medium-sized shrimp. Remove them from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
Misconception: Thawing shrimp in warm water is the quickest way to defrost them.
- Understanding: Thawing shrimp in warm water may seem faster, but if not done properly, it can lead to uneven thawing and potentially bacterial growth.
- Technique: The best way to thaw shrimp is to place them in the refrigerator overnight or to defrost them slowly in a bowl of cold water. This ensures even thawing and maintains the shrimp’s quality and texture.
Misconception: Removing the shell before cooking shrimp is necessary.
- Understanding: Shrimp shells can help protect the delicate flesh during cooking, preserving moisture and flavour.
- Technique: Cooking shrimp with the shell on can enhance their flavour and juiciness. Depending on your preference and the recipe, you can peel the shrimp before or after cooking. Leaving the tail intact can also enhance the presentation.
Marc Bromhall, Founder, StorageBuddy
6. Possible Risks Of Eating Shrimp
The shrimp can be delicious to eat, but there are possible risks. Some people can be allergic to seafood, particularly in this case. It can even kill them. These people should get tested first to know they are also allergic. If we do not cook the shrimp completely, they will be raw. In this case, you are prone to food poisoning because shrimp has some bacteria in it. When we cook something completely, it kills the bacteria present in it.
7. Some Recipes Including Shrimp
Many dishes worldwide contain shrimp. This section will discuss some of the many interesting recipes, including shrimp.
7.1. Shrimp Fried Rice
If you love eating seafood and fried rice simultaneously, combine them on a single plate. Let’s start with the recipe. First, take some small-sized shrimp and clean them. Put some oil in a pan and let it heat up. Add the shrimp to the pan to stir fry. Please wait until it’s completely cooked. Check its colour; it should be pink. After this, take them out on a plate and add more oil to the pan. Now add the minced garlic and let it cook for some time.
At this stage, you can add an egg to the pan because it is the main ingredient in the recipe for fried rice. Add vegetables like carrots, beans, peas, red chilli powder, and salt. Take it and cook for some time with the closed lid. Add one bowl of cooked rice to the pan and stir fry it on high flame. Add soy sauce and vinegar to the pan with the cooked shrimp. Cook it on high flame only for a few minutes and serve it hot. Garnish it with some herbs. It is advisable to serve it on a round plate to make it attractive.
7.2. The Shrimp Pasta
There are many pasta recipes, but if you want to add something interesting, you can choose shrimp. Shrimp tastes good when cooked correctly, and it can also be a great source of protein. Now, let’s discuss the recipe for making this pasta. Start by boiling the pasta. You can use any pasta, but penny pasta would be a great choice. Boil it for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pan, add some oil, and add the shrimp. Cook it continuously, stirring until it turns into a C shape.
It’s time to remove the shrimp from the pan and add milk, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. Cook until it has a creamy texture, and then you can add your preferred spices. Now is the time to add the pasta and cooked shrimp to the pan, mix well, and close the lid. Cook for some time and serve. You can also add some spinach to it to add some colour.
Coconut Curry and Tandoori Skewers
Coconut Shrimp Curry:
One example of a really good shrimp recipe I’ve encountered is a coconut shrimp curry. It’s a unique blend of sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours that combine perfectly. This recipe stands out because coconut milk adds a creamy and slightly sweet element to balance out the spice from the curry paste. It’s also a one-pot meal, making it convenient and easy to prepare. It goes well with rice or naan bread, so it’s a great option for a complete and satisfying meal.
Tandoori Shrimp Skewers:
Another unique shrimp recipe that I love is tandoori shrimp skewers. Tandoori is a popular cooking method in Indian cuisine where the food is marinated in yogurt and spices and then cooked in a clay oven. In this recipe, the shrimp are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, and different spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika.
The result is a flavorful and tender shrimp with a slightly charred exterior from grilling on skewers. It’s a perfect dish for summer BBQs or as an appetizer at any gathering. That said, shrimp pairs well with bold and complex flavours, making it a versatile protein to work within the kitchen. The key is finding the right balance of flavours and textures to create a truly stand-out dish.
Rena Awada, Owner/Head Chef, Healthy Fitness Meals
Grilled Honey-Garlic and Casserole Fusion
One of my favourite shrimp recipes is grilled honey-garlic shrimp skewers. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours makes it stand out from traditional grilled shrimp dishes. To make this recipe, marinate the shrimp with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and lemon for 30 minutes before grilling on skewers. The result is juicy, flavorful shrimp with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
A unique take on the classic Southern dish, this shrimp and grits casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It combines creamy stone-ground grits with sautéed shrimp, smoky bacon, and a rich cheese sauce. The casserole is baked in the oven until golden and bubbly, creating a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any gathering.
Fred Hoffman, Founder, The True Wilderness
8. Final Note
This article talked about shrimp, a kind of gray-coloured seafood. It has multiple legs and is completely different from prawns. Although they both fall under the seafood category, we learned the difference between the size of the shrimp. The small shrimp tastes sweet and tender, and large shrimp can take longer to cook, but it will still not taste that good.
There are many different ways to know whether the shrimp is cooked. They take a shape similar to C if they are perfectly cooked. The colour also changes to pink while cooking. Eating raw or half-cooked shrimp can pose a significant risk of causing food poisoning. It can hospitalize it, so we should always be careful while eating the shrimp.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Arnab
