Boiled shrimp is one type of shrimp dish that many people enjoy. As it does not use cooking oil, boiled shrimp is a suitable choice for those of you looking for a healthier dish. However, boiled shrimp may taste bland when eaten. If you have ever experienced this with your boiled shrimp, you can stop fretting because there are actually simple tips to boil shrimp properly and get a delectable dish. Check out how to boil shrimp correctly in this article!
How to Boil Shrimp
1. Use shrimp with good quality
The first step to boil shrimp is to make sure that you are using good quality shrimp that are suited for consumption. High quality shrimp will bring you a dish with great taste, texture, and aroma. If using frozen shrimp, make sure that they are completely defrosted before boiling them.
Read more: Signs of Fresh and Spoiled Shrimp
2. Clean and marinate shrimp before boiling
Clean shrimp thoroughly and marinate with seasonings to taste. You can use lime juice, salt, and pepper for a simple marinade. Keep the marinating time short at 10-15 minutes to prevent the shrimp’s texture from becoming too soft.
3. Add seasonings into the boiling water
Aside from adding seasonings in the shrimp’s marinade, you can also add them to the boiling water to improve the flavor. Some ingredients you can use are smashed lemongrass, salt, pepper, and ginger, or other spices you like. Keep in mind that the amount of seasonings should not overpower the shrimp’s natural freshness and sweetness.
4. Avoid boiling for too long
Adjust the boiling time to the shrimp’s size. Smaller shrimp usually requires only around 5 minutes of boiling time, while larger shrimp may take around 10 minutes. An overly long boiling time causes shrimp to taste bland. Stop boiling once the shrimp has changed color to slightly reddish. If using shrimp with shell, you can tell when the shrimp is perfectly boiled when the shell starts to peel away from the flesh.
5. Let shrimp sit after boiling
As an additional tip, you don’t have to remove shrimp that has finished boiling immediately from the water. Cover the pan and move it away from heat, then leave the shrimp for 5 minutes to sit. This will help boiled shrimp to have a juicier texture, avoiding toughness.
6. Dip shrimp in an ice bath (optional)
This last step is optional. Scoop shrimp from the pan with a colander, then dip the colander in an ice bath for a few minutes. This will stop the heating process and help the shrimp appear fresher when served. You can skip this step if you prefer to enjoy your boiled shrimp while hot.
Conclusion
You can boil shrimp by following these simple steps:
- Use shrimp with good quality
- Clean and marinate shrimp before boiling
- Add seasonings into the boiling water
- Avoid boiling for too long
- Let shrimp sit after boiling
- Dip shrimp in an ice bath (optional)
Aside from the right boiling technique, the quality of your shrimp also determines the final result of your dish. For the best flavor and quality, entrust Frosala to supply your shrimp. Frosala shrimp are harvested directly from professional and trusted local farms and processed with same-day freezing to maintain their freshness until served. Order Frosala shrimp today!
