Feast on these favorite crustaceans in just minutes!
Hot or cold, steamed or fried, shrimp is considered the most popular American seafood. And it is no wonder why. Perfectly cooked shrimp are tender and juicy, boasting a mild and slightly sweet flavor that makes them addictive. Very yummy on their own, shrimp are also a prized ingredient in so many other dishes. And while there are lots of great ways to prepare shrimp, this recipe for boiled shrimp may become your favorite because it is quick, easy, and distinctively delicious.
Unlike their larger shellfish cousins, such as lobster or crab, shrimp are pretty small (though there are some large varieties). The Middle English word shrimpe, which probably came from the Old Norse skreppa, meaning “thin person,” became the name for the small crustacean but also meant “puny person.” It’s not exactly a compliment, but when we’re talking about shrimp as food, it’s a different story. Historians say that in 1280, the famous explorer Marco Polo documented the prevalent use of shrimp in Chinese cuisine during his travels, and, as we know, shrimp is still a popular protein in Chinese food. Shrimp started appearing in American cuisine sometime during the 17th century, and now pretty much every region has a shrimp speciality: the South, where a lot of shrimping occurs, has many.
Part of shrimp’s appeal is how easy it is to prepare, and that is particularly true for boiled shrimp. While your water is boiling with the aromatics, prepare a bowl of ice water. As soon as the shrimp are cooked—two to three minutes—you’ll need to plunge them into the cold water to stop the cooking process. That’s it!
What’s great about shrimp
It may be hard to imagine how so many great things are contained in these little creatures, but it’s true. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, shrimp are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and lots of vitamins and minerals, including B12, zinc, and copper. Shrimp are also a perfect food if you’re trying to lose or maintain weight because they’re very low in calories. Both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association recommend eating seafood 2-3 times a week, so eat your boiled shrimp!
How do I store leftovers?
Cooled boiled shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Serving suggestions
I confess to being able to eat an entire bowl of boiled shrimp by myself as soon as they come out of the ice water. But there are so many great things you can do with these little guys, like serving them on top of Baked Creamy Cheese Grits or, for a more upscale meal, nestling them into Pea And Lemon Risotto. Another favorite is to create a version of the Southern shrimp boil by adding New Potatoes, Corn On The Cob, and instead of the more traditional kielbasa or andouille, either Bacon-Wrapped Sausage or these yummy Sausage Rolls.
Another thing I love to do with boiled shrimp—and if you’ve been following us for a while, you probably knew this was coming—is to make a sandwich! One way I do this is to spread the insides of Hot Dog Buns with Pesto, pile on the boiled shrimp, and then top them with slices of Roasted Peppers, Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips (for crunch!), and Marinated Mozzarella.
Boiled Shrimp
Ingredients
- 3-4 quarts water
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 peeled garlic cloves
- 2 fresh lemons divided
- 2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to a boil. Add the thyme, garlic, and juice from 1 lemon.
- Add the shrimp to the boiling water. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Once cooked, transfer the shrimp from the pot and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Cut the remaining lemon into wedges. Drain the shrimp and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
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