How to Prepare Shrimp for Cooking

Co-authored by Ashley Crawford

Last Updated: June 22, 2024 Approved

Many recipes call for shrimp, but before you can skewer them, boil them for your favorite cocktail sauce, or use them in a stir fry, they require a few minutes of preparation. The process is almost the same whether you have fresh shrimp or frozen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Preparing Frozen Shrimp

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Look for ice on the shrimp or a break in the bag. If you see ice on the shrimp, it's likely the shrimp have been thawed and refrozen. Select a different bag to buy.

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Remove the shrimp from the bag and refrigerate overnight in a bowl of cold water.
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Remove the shell to the shrimp by holding it with a few fingers of one hand and pull off its legs using the fingers of your other hand.^{[1]
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- Peel back the shell and remove by using your thumbs, and remove. The head will come off too.
The shell will also come off.
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Devein by making a cut down the back of the shrimp using a small utility or paring knife. You will see the vein.^{[2]
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- Pull the vein out using your knife and rinse the shrimp. You can also use something small like a toothpick to remove the vein.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Preparing Fresh Shrimp

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1
Prepare fresh shrimp using the same steps as for frozen shrimp by removing the shell and the veins. The only difference is the smell of fresh shrimp.^{[3]
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- If you smell something that smells like ammonia, this is shrimp to avoid.^{[4]
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- Otherwise, prepare the fresh shrimp the same way as you would frozen shrimp; removing the shell/head, tail optional, and the vein.

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Should I eat the legs of shrimp?

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They're OK to eat, but not that tasty; plus, they're hard.

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If I am baking my shrimp in the oven, do I have to remove the shell?

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I wouldn't think so. Leaving them in the shell keeps them moist, and the shell itself has a ton of flavor that cooks into the shrimp.

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Is the first step with raw shrimp to steam them?

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No. First you pull off their shell and twist off their heads. If you are making ceviche, then marinate them in lime juice to cook them.

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Once your shrimp has been cooked, it's best eaten within two days.^{[5]
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While frozen-bought shrimp will last approximately six months in the freezer at home, even if it's wrapped well, it will lose its texture.^{[6]
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Prepare and use fresh shrimp within a day or two.

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