11 Ways to Cook Shrimp without Shrinking

Step 1. The lower belly of the shrimp has interlocking parts

The next time you cook the prawns, turn them over and look at the underbelly. You will see a row of interlaced segments right in the abdomen. These segments make the shape of the shrimp curl up tightly when cooked too long.

Some types of shrimp bend more easily than other types of shrimp. Small shrimp bend more easily than large shrimp

Question 2 of 11: How to prevent shrimp from warping?

Step 1. Make a small incision in the lower belly of the shrimp

Turn the shrimp over and make 2 to 3 shallow incisions with a knife in the inner groove. Press the prawns onto the cutting board to open them before cooking.

The incision will release the joints of the lower abdomen of the shrimp so that the meat will not curl too tightly

Question 3 of 11: Do shrimp need to be washed before cooking?

Step 1. Yes, wash and dry the prawns with a sieve

This will remove any shell debris or dirt that's still stuck to the meat. Use cold water to thoroughly wash the cleaned prawns.

Even if the prawns are frozen, you should still wash them to remove any ice crystals from the freezer

Question 4 of 11: Can I cook frozen shrimp without thawing it first?

Step 1. Yes, you can

Rinse the prawns in cold water to break up any remaining ice covering the prawns. If you want to boil it, give it an additional 1 minute to cook. For other cooking methods, you'll want to make sure the prawns have turned pink and white to make sure they're cooked through.

Use a thermometer to make sure the shrimp is at 63°C before eating them

Question 5 of 11: Is it necessary to split the prawns before frying them?

Step 1. You can, but you don't have to

Splitting the prawns or cutting them lengthwise from head to tail will reduce the risk of the meat curling or shrinking. However, you can also just pay attention to the color of the shrimp that is being fried to make sure it's not overcooked.

Some recipes require you to split the shrimp. If so, follow the recipe and slice the prawns before frying

Question 6 of 11: How to cook prawns without overcooking them?

Step 1. Set a timer based on the size of the shrimp

Most small shrimp should only take 2 to 3 minutes to cook. Don't move from the front of the grill, oven, or stove, and be prepared to remove cooked prawns immediately.

Jumbo sized shrimp should take about 7 to 8 minutes to cook

Step 2. Notice the color of the prawns turning pink

The prawns are cooked when they turn pink and curl slightly. Remove the prawns from the stove as soon as possible so they don't overcook.

The shape of the curve of the shrimp will look neat like the letter "C". Shrimp that curl too far until the head touches the tail are usually overcooked

Question 7 of 11: How to boil prawns without overcooking them?

Step 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 45 grams of salt

You can reduce the cooking time by heating the water first. Turn on the stove to a high temperature and wait until large bubbles appear on the surface of the water.

Step 2. Add the prawns, then cover the pot

Slowly pour the prawns into the water. Chilled shrimp may lower the water temperature, but that's okay – keep the stove on high heat to raise the temperature.

Step 3. Set a timer based on the size of the shrimp

Cooking time depends on the size and temperature of the shrimp. Set a timer and keep an eye on the cooked prawns as the meat can turn overcooked quickly.

• Small fresh prawns: 30 seconds. Small frozen shrimp: 1 minute.
• Medium-sized fresh prawns: 1 minute. Medium-sized frozen shrimp: 1.5 minutes.
• Fresh large prawns: 2 minutes. Large frozen shrimp: 3 minutes.
• Fresh jumbo prawns: 3 minutes. Jumbo sized frozen shrimp: 4 minutes.

Step 4. Put the prawns in cold water to stop the cooking process

If you don't want to eat them right away, rinse the shrimp immediately in cold water or put them on ice so they don't overcook. Don't put the prawns in hot water as this will overcook them and make the meat tough.

If you want to eat shrimp right away, just drain the water

Question 8 of 11: What happens if I eat undercooked shrimp?

Step 1. You will have food poisoning

Although some sushi restaurants serve slightly raw shrimp as a meal, most experts do not recommend consuming raw or undercooked shrimp. You may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Most cases of food poisoning will improve within a few days

Step 2. You can catch the parasite

Some types of fish and shrimp contain parasites that only die when cooked. Shrimp that have been frozen even once can still contain parasites.

If you experience vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite for more than a week after eating undercooked shrimp, see your doctor immediately

Question 9 of 11: Are mushy shrimp safe to eat?

Step 1. Yes, but the taste may not be as good

Shrimp will feel mushy when thawed and refrozen a few times. In general, this will make the shrimp lose its texture and flavor.

If you buy "fresh" shrimp but they are soft in texture, you may be able to get a refund

Question 10 of 11: How to improve the texture of tough shrimp?

Step 1. The prawns are tough because they are overcooked

If you heat it too long, the shrimp will start to curl and turn tough. This can happen to any cooking method. Therefore, it is very important to observe the shrimp being cooked.

The prawns are cooked when they turn pink and white

Step 2. Unfortunately, you can't fix the texture of overcooked shrimp

The best thing to do is try to watch the shrimp more closely the next time you cook them. Try adding overcooked prawns to dishes with a more wet sauce, such as alfredo pasta.

Question 11 of 11: How to recognize stale shrimp?

Step 1. Shrimp will emit a fishy and rotten smell

Fresh prawns have almost no smell at all before cooking. If the prawns you are about to cook have an unpleasant odor, do not eat them.

The smell may also be similar to ammonia so it is sometimes thought to be similar to the smell of cat urine