How to Cook Shrimps Without Curling

If you like to cook shrimp, you’ve probably seen shrimp shrink or curl when cooked. Shrimp shrinking a bit is normal, but those that are shriveled or curled are often chewy and tasteless. In this article, we will answer a few questions about how to cook shrimp so that you can make delicious and delicious shrimp dishes every time.

Table of Contents

Why do shrimps often curl when cooked?

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The abdomen of the shrimp has interconnected segments. The next time you hold the shrimp in your hand, flip it over to see the belly. You will see a cluster of small segments lined up close together under the shrimp’s abdomen. These nodes cause the shrimp to curl when cooked. ^{[1] X Research Source}

There are many curved shrimp, there are less curved shrimp. Smaller shrimps are usually more curled than large ones.

How to keep shrimp from bending?

Make small slits under the shrimp belly. Turn the shrimp over and use a knife to make 2-3 shallow slits on the inside of the shrimp’s curve. Press the shrimp on the cutting board to straighten it before you start cooking. ^{[2] X Research Source}

The slits will cut the bond under the shrimp’s belly and help prevent the shrimp from curling up.

Should you wash shrimp before cooking?

Yes, you should wash and drain the shrimp in the basket. This step helps to remove small pieces of shell or residue remaining on the shrimp meat. Rinse shrimp with cold water and rinse thoroughly. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Even with frozen shrimp, you still have to rinse to remove the ice.

Can you cook shrimp without defrosting?

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Yes, you can cook shrimp without defrosting. Wash the shrimp with cold water to melt the ice on the shrimp. If you plan to boil frozen shrimp, add 1 minute to the cooking time. With other cooking methods, you need to wait until the shrimp turn pink and milky to make sure the shrimp is cooked. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the shrimp Shrimp must reach 63 degrees Celsius before eating. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Go to Source}

Should you split the shrimp before frying?

You can split the shrimp, if you like. Slicing the shrimp, i.e. slitting the shrimp from head to tail, can help prevent the shrimp from shrinking or curling, but you also need to be careful when frying the shrimp to make sure it doesn’t overcook. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Some recipes call for slicing the shrimp. If so, you should split the shrimp before frying.

How do you cook the shrimp so that it doesn’t overheat?

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The time depends on the shrimp size. Most small shrimp only need 2-3 minutes to cook. You should stand near the grill, oven or stove to be ready to remove the shrimp when it is just cooked. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

The full size shrimp can be cooked in 7-8 minutes.

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Wait for the shrimp to turn pink. When shrimp turn pink and slightly curled, they are cooked. Remove the shrimp from the stove immediately to avoid overheating. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Cooked shrimp will curl slightly like the letter “C”. If your shrimp is so bent that its head touches the tail, it’s overcooked.

How to boil shrimp so as not to overcook?

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 3 tablespoons (40 g) of salt to the water. You can reduce the time it takes to soak the shrimp in water by boiling the water first. Turn up the heat and wait until the big bubbles rise to the surface of the water. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Put the shrimp in the water and cover the pot. Carefully pour the shrimp into the water. The cold shrimp will lower the temperature of the water, but that’s okay – keep cooking over high heat until the water comes to a boil again. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Time depending on shrimp size. Boiling time will depend on the size of the shrimp and whether the shrimp is frozen or not. Set an alarm clock and keep an eye on it because shrimp are very susceptible to overheating. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Small fresh shrimp: 30 seconds. Small frozen shrimp: 1 minute.
Medium fresh shrimp: 1 minute. Medium frozen shrimp: 1.5 minutes.
Large fresh shrimp: 2 minutes. Large frozen shrimp: 3 minutes.
Maximum size fresh shrimp: 3 minutes. Full size frozen shrimp: 4 minutes.

Dip the shrimp in cold water to prevent the shrimp from overcooking. If you don’t eat the shrimp right away, quickly dip the shrimp in cold water or place it on ice to prevent it from overcooking. Do not leave shrimp in hot water until cool, as this will overcook the shrimp and make it tough. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If you plan to eat shrimp right away, just drain the water and don’t need to dip it in cold water.

Is it okay to eat undercooked shrimp?

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You can get food poisoning. Although sushi restaurants serve raw shrimp, most experts do not recommend eating raw or undercooked shrimp. You may have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. ^{[13] X Trusted Source US Food and Drug Administration Go to source}

Most food poisoning symptoms will subside in a few days.

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You may have a parasitic infection. Some fish and shrimp species carry parasites that are only destroyed when cooked. Even frozen shrimp can contain parasites. ^{[14] X Trusted Source US Food and Drug Administration Go to source}

If you experience vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite for more than 1 week after eating undercooked shrimp, ask your doctor.

Can soft shrimp be eaten?

Edible, but not very tasty. Shrimp can become mushy if it has been defrosted and refrozen several times. In general, this will cause the shrimp to lose firmness and reduce flavor. ^{[15] X Research Source}

If you buy “fresh” shrimp but it’s mushy, you can get a refund.

How to repair when shrimp is tough?

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The tough shrimp is due to being overcooked. If left on the fire for too long, the shrimp will curl up and become tough. This can happen with any cooking method, so it’s important to keep an eye on it while you cook. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and milky.

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Unfortunately, you cannot cure shrimp that has been overcooked. The best you can do is to be careful when you cook shrimp next time. Try adding overheated shrimp to a sauce dish to add moisture, such as pasta with alfredo sauce. ^{[17] X Research Source}

How do you know the shrimp is rotten?

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Rotten shrimp will have a fishy smell. Fresh shrimp has almost no smell before being cooked. If you find that the shrimp has a rancid smell when you prepare it, don’t eat it. ^{[18] X Trusted Source US Food and Drug Administration Go to source}

Rotten shrimp can also smell like cat urine.

Advice

Be sure to keep an eye on the shrimp while cooking so you can take it out of the oven when it’s cooked.

Steps