Learn how to cook shrimp by steaming them for a light, healthy meal. Steaming keeps the shrimp tender and juicy without any added fat. Shell-on or peeled, they're low-cal and great for a high-protein snack.
How Long Should You Steam Shrimp?
The cooking time depends on the type of shrimp you're cooking. Refer to the chart below for perfectly steamed shrimp of any size.
Medium shrimp need about 2 ½ minutes, and large shrimp need 3 minutes.
Jumbo shrimp take about 4 ½ minutes, while colossal shrimp take about 5 minutes.
For shrimp in a shell, add an extra minute to the cooking time.
Collapsible Steamer Basket
One great thing about steaming shrimp is you can cook as much or as little as you want.
A collapsible steamer basket is a handy tool made of metal or silicone, designed for steaming foods like vegetables, shrimp, or mussels. The "basket" expands to fit your pot's width, making it adaptable to various sizes.
For non-stick pots, I like this steamer basket with silicone feet. The silicone prevents scratches on the pot's surface.
To use, place the basket in a pot and fill it with a few inches of water so the water comes up through the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and add your food. Cover the pot with a lid, and steam until fully cooked.
Ingredients
Thaw the shrimp by running cold water over them in a colander or letting them defrost in the fridge overnight.
- Defrosted raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Cold water
- Salt
- Lemon, sliced into wedges
- Melted butter, chopped parsley, sea salt, and/or cocktail sauce for serving
See recipe card below for exact amounts.
How To Steam Shrimp
- Place a steamer basket in a large pot. Add enough cold water so it barely touches the bottom of the steamer basket. Add a big pinch of salt.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Place the shrimp in the steamer basket without overcrowding. Season with a little salt. Cover the pot with a lid, lower the heat a little, and steam for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on their size. Cook until the shrimp are bright pink and opaque white.
- Remove the shrimp with a spoon and place them in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before transferring them to a serving dish.
- Serve with lemon wedges.
No steamer basket? Boil the shrimp in a big pot!
For Extra Flavor
- Sprinkle the raw shrimp with Old Bay seasoning.
- Add a tablespoon or two of lemon or lime juice to the steaming water.
- Drop a few smashed garlic cloves into the water.
- Top the raw shrimp with fresh herbs like dill or parsley for more flavor.
TOP TIPS
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer for even cooking.
- Watch the pot closely to avoid overcooking. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery.
- Shrimp should be pink with an opaque (white) center and curl into a loose "C" shape when fully cooked.
- Season the water with a bouquet garni or your favorite seasonings.
- Buy shrimp from the Gulf of America, formerly called the Gulf of Mexico, for the best flavor.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, microwave on low power for about 1 minute to avoid overcooking, or toss them into a hot non-stick pan for about a minute.
Serving Suggestions
- We like steamed shrimp in Florida Keys Pink Shrimp Salad and Shrimp Cocktail.
- You can also pair it with roasted veggies like Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots or Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Locatelli.
- Make a Low-Carb Caesar Salad, season the shrimp with a dash of salt and Old Bay seasoning, and use the shrimp as croutons.
- Use in place of tuna to make a Poke Bowl.
- Toss steamed shrimp into Shrimp Tacos with your favorite toppings.
- For dipping, try melted butter or Mango Pico de Gallo.
- Finish the meal with a slice of Key Lime Pie for a taste of the Florida Keys!
You can add steamed shrimp to soups, pastas, wraps, or even on their own with a squeeze of lemon.
What Are Florida Keys Pink Shrimp?
If you visit the Florida Keys, don't miss out on Florida Keys Pink Shrimp. They have a beautiful pink color; they're crisp and so sweet!
Pink shrimp have a nice snap when you bite into them and are super tasty. You can These shrimp are a local favorite and a must-try!
Check out some of our easy shrimp recipes to enjoy them at home!
Summary
Steaming shrimp is so easy and delicious! You can pull together a healthy shrimp dinner in under 10 minutes with just a few ingredients.
At only 30 calories per ounce, steamed shrimp makes a healthy, low-fat, low-carb meal.
When buying shrimp, look for frozen shrimp labeled "wild caught" for the best quality, and choose domestic shrimp when possible.
A collapsible steamer basket fits pots of all sizes, from large soup pots to small saucepans.
Steaming times vary by size, from 2 minutes for smaller shrimp to 4 or 5 minutes for colossal shrimp.
Steamed shrimp pair well with sides like steamed vegetables and fresh salads, making shrimp a nutritious addition to any meal.
More Shrimp Recipes
FAQ
It depends on their size, but shrimp usually take just 3-5 minutes. Small shrimp may cook in as little as 2-3 minutes, while larger ones might take closer to 5 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the shrimp turn pink, the flesh becomes opaque, and the tails curl into a "C" shape.
It takes about 3-6 minutes to steam shrimp with the shell on, depending on their size. The shells slightly increase the cooking time.
Old Bay seasoning is a classic for all seafood, but you can also use garlic, lemon, key limes, or parsley and dill.
How To Steam Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp, defrosted, peeled, and deveined
- cold water
- salt
- 1 lemon, sliced into wedges for serving
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them under cold running water or in the refrigerator overnight. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Peel and devein the shrimp with a small knife. Rinse well.
- Place a steamer basket in a large pot. Add enough cold water so the water barely touches the bottom of the steamer basket. Add a big pinch of salt.
- Bring the water to a boil. Cover with a lid and steam for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on their size. Cook until the shrimp are bright pink and their flesh is opaque and white. (see Notes for cooking times.)
- Remove the shrimp with a spoon and place them in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before transferring them to a serving dish.
- Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter, and/or cocktail sauce.
Notes
- Sprinkle the raw shrimp with Old Bay seasoning. Add a tablespoon or two of lemon or lime juice to the steaming water.
- Drop a few smashed garlic cloves into the water before cooking.
- Top the raw shrimp with fresh herbs like dill or parsley for more flavor.
- Medium shrimp need about 2 ½ minutes
- Steam large shrimp for 3 minutes.
- Jumbo shrimp take about 4 ½ minutes.
- Colossal shrimp take about 5 minutes.
Jerome says
Thank you for sharing!
Tucker says
Thank you for sharing!