How to Tell If Shrimp Is Cooked?

Shrimp is a delicious, mouth-watering dish that is loved by people, and it can be found on many restaurant menus that are served with a variety of herbs, spices, and sauces. However, the problem arises when it is cooked at home, and many of us don’t know how to cook it perfectly, and to determine if it’s cooked, undercooked, or overcooked. 

In this guide, we will dive into the art of cooking shrimp perfectly and will provide you with complete information to recognize the shrimp, along with some tips. 

What Are the Signs of Cooked Shrimp?

There are several signs that show shrimp is perfectly cooked well. Here is a detailed explanation of the signs that you would notice when your shrimp is cooked, undercooked, or overcooked. 

Particulars	Cooked Shrimp	Undercooked Shrimp	Overcooked Shrimp
Color	Pink or white, and slightly opaque color	Translucent, or gray color	Vibrant pink or orange color
Texture	Firm, and slightly bouncy texture	Rubbery, and soft texture	Chewy, and tough texture
Shape	The tail will shrink into a “C” shape	The tail will look slightly straight and curve	The tail will look like an “O” shape

Sign 1: Color

It is probably one of the easiest ways to know if your shrimp is perfectly cooked or not. The color of the cooked shrimp will turn pink or white, and slightly opaque, while undercooked shrimp will be translucent or gray, and raw in texture. And if it’s overcooked, the color of the shrimp will be vibrant pink or orange. 

Sign 2: Texture

When the shrimp is cooked well, the texture of the shrimp will be firm and slightly bouncy upon touching. In the case of undercooked shrimp, the texture will be rubbery and soft, and overcooked shrimp will be chewy and tough. 

Sign 3: Shape

The shape of a perfectly cooked shrimp will form into a “C” shape by shrinking slightly on the tail. When it is not cooked enough, it will look somewhat straight, or with a very slight curve in the tail. In case of overcooked, the tail will bend more and it will look like an “O” shape. 

How to Cook Shrimp Properly?

There are multiple methods for cooking shrimp correctly or properly such as sautéing shrimp, roasting shrimp, boiling shrimp, and steaming shrimp. Here, we will provide detailed guidelines for properly cooking shrimp using each method. 

Before moving on to the cooking methods, you have to know how to shell off and deveine the shrimp correctly. To shell off and deveine, kindly follow the steps down below. 

• Wash the shrimp in the cold water for 5 minutes before you start preparing them. 
• Start by grabbing the legs of the shrimp, pull it off, and the shell will eventually come out with it. 
• Grab a knife, use the tip of the knife to slice open the back side of the shrimp, and cut down the small veins or intestine. 
• You can keep the legs or remove them, depending on your choice. 

Now, as the process of removing shells is complete, it’s time to cook them fresh. 

Method 1: Sautéing Shrimp in the Skillet

To Sauté shrimp accurately, follow the process below. 

• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet until melted. 
• Once it’s melted, put the shrimp on the skillet. 
• Continuously stir and flip the shrimp for 1 minute or until they become pink in color on both sides. 
• Pull them off immediately from the skillet, and the cooking is complete. 

Method 2: Roasting Shrimp in the Oven

For roasting the shrimp properly, simply follow the steps below.

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and arrange the shrimp evenly on a baking sheet. 
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on the shrimp, and you can add seasonings based on your preferences. 
• Add some salt and black pepper to the shrimp, and roast it in the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes until they turn pink. 
• Once it’s done, you are ready to serve it at the dinner table. 

Method 3: Boiling Shrimp in the Saucepan

If you want to boil the shrimp correctly, kindly follow the instructions below. 

• Put a large saucepan with water on the stove, and wait until it simmers. 
• Add 1 tablespoon of salt and whole peppercorns to the water, and then squeeze one lemon into the water for flavor.
• Place the shrimp in the boiling water and allow it to cook for 2-2.5 minutes till it turns pink. 
• After that, remove them with a slotted spoon, and enjoy your delicious boiled shrimp. 

Keep in mind that, you can use this method to cook large amounts of shrimp in a short time. 

Method 4: Steaming Shrimp in a Steam Pot

To steam shrimp properly, here are the steps that you can follow. 

• Add half a cup of white vinegar and water into a steaming pot. 
• Place the shrimp onto the steamer basket, let it boil, and place the lid on top of it. 
• Remove the lid from the steamer basket after 6-8 minutes until it turns pink. 
• Once finished, the shrimp steaming cooking process is complete. 

Remember, if the shrimp are still steaming, you can transfer them to a cup of ice cubes to cool them down. 

Tips for Cooking Shrimp

Many people love shrimp, but cooking them properly can be confusing, and purchasing fresh shrimp can be a bit challenging for some. Here are some tips that you can apply when cooking shrimp. 

Tip 1: Choose Frozen Shrimp

You might wonder why to chose frozen shrimp instead of fresh shrimp. Well, shrimp is typically frozen shortly after being caught, which preserves its quality and flavor. The muscle tissue of shrimp starts degrading within 24 hours, and as a result, the freshness decreases. 

Usually, you wouldn’t know when the shrimp was caught, and there would be a high chance of getting less fresh shrimp if you are looking for fresh shrimp. Therefore, it’s recommended to purchase frozen shrimp and thaw it yourself when you are ready to cook it. 

Tip 2: Which Size of Shrimp to Purchase

Shrimp are generally available in different sizes in the market such as small, medium, large, extra-large, and jumbo. It’s important to know the size of shrimp you need based on your recipe. 

For most recipes, shrimp ranging from 15 to 30 in count per pound are suitable, and for grilling, you can choose large or extra-large shrimp, which usually come under 15 in count per pound. 

Moreover, if you are cooking shrimp as a main course or for a special occasion, jumbo-sized shrimp are a great choice, which is around half a pound each.

Tip 3: Methods for Thawing Shrimp

Thawing shrimp can be done in several ways. The safest method is to place the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight or for 24 hours approximately. Another option is to remove the shrimp from the packaging, seal them in a bag, and submerge the bag in cold water by covering it with a plate. Additionally, you can place the shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for 20-30 minutes. 

Tip 4: Instructions for Peeling and Deveining

Before you start cooking, you have two options available, which is cooking the shrimp with the shell on or off.

If you want to cook without a shell, pull off the leg of the shrimp and the shell will detach on its own. Then, use the pointed tip of the knife to carefully slice open the backside of the shrimp, and then cut down the small vein or intestine, or you can keep it as it is edible. Later on, simply wash the shrimp with cold water to finish off the process. 

Tip 5: Ways to Cook Shrimp

You can cook shrimp in various ways, it can be grilled, sautéed, boiled, or steamed. You can choose either one of these based on your preferences. But you have to keep in mind that, shrimp cooks quickly so if you go away or overlook it, it can be overcooked. 

Furthermore, you can add different flavors and spices of your choice, cook until they turn pink, and eat right after cooking while they are still hot and juicy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Should Cooked Shrimp Be?

When the shrimp is cooked to perfection, it will turn into pink or orange color, depending on the type. The texture should be slightly opaque, with the meat coming in a white color. 

What Is the Safe Internal Temperature for Cooked Shrimp?

Based on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the safe internal temperature for cooked shrimp is 145°F (63°C). Also, you can easily observe its color change to pink when it is cooked correctly. 

Can I Cut Open Shrimp to Check if It’s Cooked?

Yes, you can cut the thickest part of the shrimp to check if it’s cooked or not. When it is perfectly cooked, the color of the meat will be white, and when it is not, the meat will look slightly greyish or translucent.