No one wants over cooked, rubbery shrimp. No one wants under cooked shrimp either. I’ve got an easy technique for cooking perfect shrimp every time. Use the oven and make roasted shrimp! This method is a MUST for beginner cooks and seasoned home chefs.
Roasted Shrimp is Perfect for All Levels of Cooking Experience
Beginner cooks and home chefs need this method for cooking shrimp. Here’s why.
For beginners, the biggest advantage of making roasted shrimp is that you are learning a technique. Once you’ve roasted shrimp you’ll understand that the same method works well for other proteins and veggies.
The reasons this cooking method is great for any cook.
- The oven cooks the shrimp evenly without overcooking it.
- It doesn’t require fancy equipment – It’s as simple as a cookie sheet and some aluminum foil.
- Seasonings used are as simple as salt and pepper or as complicated as you decide to make them.
- Clean up is a breeze.
- It’s a Time Saver – Complete other kitchen tasks while the shrimp cooks.
- Roasted Shrimp is Versatile – The cooked shrimp has many uses.
In saying all of this, my favorite reason for embracing roasted shrimp will be your favorite reason as well. It’s SUPER EASY!
If you’re just learning how to cook shrimp you may also need to know what shrimp you should buy. Keep reading for my buying recommendations. Seasoned cooks can scroll down to the recipe and skip the next few sections.
What Kind of Shrimp Should I Buy?
Shells On or Off?
Shrimp have shells. Most often, at the grocery store, the heads of the shrimp have already been removed. They are usually sold in three different states of readiness for cooking.
1. Shell-On Shrimp – This means the shrimp have a shell and vein that needs removing. You need a shrimp deveiner for removing the shell.
Shell on shrimp are often less expensive than the EZ-Peel and peeled varieties.
2. EZ-Peel Shrimp – EZ Peeled shrimp means the shell of the shrimp has been split down the middle of the back and the shrimp has been deveined.
What does deveined mean?
The “vein” of the shrimp that runs along the back has been removed. The “vein” is actually the digestive tract of the shrimp and not very tasty.
These are middle of the road in regards to pricing at the store.
I purchase EZ-Peel shrimp when making shrimp at home.
3. Peeled Shrimp – These shrimp are ready to cook and eat.
They are more costly than the shell-on and EZ-Peel varieties.
What is Shrimp Count and Which Size is Best?
Shrimp is sold by the CPP or count per pound. They come in different sizes from small to colossal. Shrimp are slightly different in size within their size categories which is where the count per pound applies.
Count per pound is the number of shrimp in a pound. Small shrimp, for instance, are count 51-60. That means there are 51-60 shrimp in a pound of shrimp that are considered small.
Here are shrimp sizes for easy reference.
- Small 51-60 count
- Medium 41-50 count
- Large 31-40 count
- Extra Large 26-30 count
- Jumbo 21-25 count
- Extra Jumbo 16-20 count
- Colossal 15 or less count
I like using medium shrimp most often. Buy whatever size shrimp is best for your recipe and is the least expensive.
Fresh vs. Frozen Shrimp
For me, buying fresh or frozen shrimp at the grocery store depends on two things. The cost of the shrimp and when I will be cooking with it.
If I am using the shrimp the day the shrimp is purchased, I buy fresh or frozen. It depends on the amount of time I have for meal prep and the price of the shrimp. If I am not using the shrimp that day, I always buy frozen.
Frozen shrimp is great for meals. Each shrimp is individually frozen. You take out the amount of shrimp needed for your meal and thaw them.
Running cold water over shrimp thaws them out in no time.
Ways to Season the Shrimp
Ok, the shrimp has been purchased and is ready to be cooked. Since this is a method recipe, here are a few seasoning ideas for the shrimp.
- Simplest Seasoning – Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper
- Simple Seasoning – Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning.
- Mexican Seasoned Shrimp – Olive oil and taco seasoning or use a little bit of cumin and chili powder.
- Cajun Shrimp – Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Cajun Seasoning Blend or your own mix.
You are only limited by your imagination.
Ways to Use the Roasted Shrimp
Along with all the seasonings, the uses are just as numerous. Here are a few ideas for Roasted Shrimp
- Serve the shrimp as your main course and a couple of side dishes
- Shrimp Cocktail – Cook the shrimp and chill. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce.
- Take chilled shrimp and serve it over salad.
- Shrimp Tacos – Use Mexican flavored shrimp for Taco Tuesday
- Shrimp Scampi – Olive Oil, Melted Butter, Minced Garlic, Salt, and Pepper. Add some crushed red pepper flakes for spicy shrimp scampi
- Shrimp Alfredo – Make alfredo pasta and toss the shrimp in at the end until warmed through.
- Shrimp Fried Rice – Make fried rice and toss the shrimp in at the end.
How Long is Cooked Shrimp Good For?
Making some extra shrimp for dinner or lunch ahead of time is a great idea. The shelf life of roasted shrimp is 3-4 days. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight tight container.
I hope you find these tips for roasted shrimp helpful. You now have some basic information for buying, seasoning, roasting and using shrimp. Get Roasting!
For other “How-To” and Reference posts check out the following
- Cut a Watermelon in 3 Easy Steps
- How to Cook Bacon with Perfectly Crisp Results
- Make Refried Beans in the Instant Pot
- How to Make Microwave Potato Chips
- How to Make Butter With a Stand Mixer
- Buying Measuring Cups: What You Need to Know
Roasted Shrimp
Ingredients
- ½-1 Lb. EZ-Peel Shrimp, any size, shells removed.
- 1-2 Tbs. Olive Oil to coat the shrimp
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 400 degrees.
- Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up.
- Remove the shells from the shrimp and place into a bowl.
- Toss shrimp with Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper.
- Place shrimp on the cookie sheet in an even layer.
- Cook the shrimp for 8-10 minutes until the shrimp is pink and curls up.
Notes
- Simplest Seasoning – Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper
- Simple Seasoning – Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning.
- Mexican Seasoned Shrimp – Olive oil and taco seasoning or a little bit of cumin and chili powder.
- Cajun Shrimp – Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Cajun Seasoning Blend or your own mix.
- Serve the shrimp as your main course and a couple of side dishes
- Shrimp Cocktail – Cook the shrimp and chill. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce.
- Take chilled shrimp and serve it over salad.
- Shrimp Tacos – Use Mexican flavored shrimp for Taco Tuesday
- Shrimp Scampi – Olive Oil, Melted Butter, Minced Garlic, Salt, and Pepper. Add some crushed red pepper flakes for spicy shrimp scampi
- Shrimp Alfredo – Make alfredo pasta and toss the shrimp in at the end until warmed through.
- Shrimp Fried Rice – Make fried rice and toss the shrimp in at the end.
