Description
A quick and easy boiled shrimp recipe that yields perfectly cooked shrimp in just minutes. Using simple ingredients like garlic salt, black pepper, and bay leaves, this method enhances the shrimp’s natural flavor while providing a delicious, juicy texture ideal for snacks, salads, or seafood dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.15 lbs raw shrimp shell-on (yields about 1 lb cooked shrimp)
- 8 cups filtered water
- 1 Tbsp garlic salt (e.g., Lawry’s brand)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1-2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, but keep the shells aside as they will be used to create the flavorful boil base.
- Make the Boiling Broth: Place the shrimp shells in a large saucepan along with 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 to 2 bay leaves. Add 8 cups filtered water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat to extract the shells’ flavor.
- Cook the Shrimp: Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, approximately 2 to 3 minutes depending on their size.
- Cool the Shrimp: Immediately drain the shrimp and transfer them to a bowl of cold water or ice bath. This stops the cooking process and helps the shrimp maintain a firm texture and sweet flavor. Let them cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Keeping the shells for the boil intensifies the shrimp flavor in the cooking water.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on shrimp size; avoid overcooking as shrimp can become tough.
- These boiled shrimp can be served chilled or warmed and are perfect for salads, cocktails, or as a snack.
- Use fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp for best results.
- Seasonings can be adjusted to taste, and additional spices like Old Bay or lemon slices can be added to the boil for extra flavor.
