How to Cook Shrimp, part 1: Buying, Cleaning, and Preparing Shrimp

Do you enjoy seafood but are intimidated when it comes to actually preparing and cooking it? If so, then take a deep breath and get ready to dive in - because we’re going to show you how to prepare amazing restaurant-quality shrimp in the comfort of your own home. 

You can have restaurant quality shrimp at home!

Forget the fear factor; now is the time to get creative in the kitchen with some of the tastiest seafood around! We’ll dive right into these crucial elements of getting ready to prepare a successful shrimp feast, and show you our favorite methods for cleaning and preparing the ocean's most popular protein. 

With real pro tips from Roger Berkowitz, America’s favorite fishmonger, you'll be able to cook and serve shrimp like a Michelin-starred chef in no time.

 

The best place to buy shrimp online

Shrimp can make any dish extraordinary, but when cooking shrimp at home, it’s important to start with the freshest, highest quality ingredients you can find. Depending on where you live, grocery stores often have a decent selection, but it’s hard to know how long grocery store shrimp has been sitting there. To sidestep this issue, we suggest buying shrimp online, preferably from a world-renowned fishmonger and restaurateur named Roger… 

The best shrimp online is right here at Roger’s Fish Co.

We’re probably a little biased, but for our money, the best place to buy shrimp online is right here at Roger’s Fish Co. Roger’s Jumbo White Shrimp are the plumpest, juiciest shrimp you can find. Individually flash frozen to seal in fresh quality and flavor, our shrimp are packed in specialized shipping boxes with dry ice and shipped straight to your door. If cooking isn't on the menu, you can try Roger's famous Shrimp Mac and Cheese, which is packed with the best ingredients around, from delicious jumbo shrimp to yummy cheese blend and hearty macaroni, it's a definite crowd pleaser! 

Best of all, when you order shrimp from Roger’s, we’ve already done the hardest parts for you—cleaning and deveining the shrimp—so all you have to do is thaw, cook, and enjoy!  

What kind of shrimp should I buy?

Ah, the great shrimp debate - which shrimp should I buy, and how should I prepare it? They’re tough questions, considering there are over 2,000 species of shrimp in the ocean, but when it comes to flavor and versatility, a favorite is the famed Jumbo White Shrimp

Try our jumbo white shrimp and taste the difference!

If you're in the market for some delicious shrimp, there's no need to scour your local seafood counters. Save yourself the hassle and head online to Roger's Fish Co. Our Jumbo White Shrimp have a sweet, mild flavor profile that’s perfect for any recipe that calls for big, meaty, delicious shrimp. 

When it comes to freshness, nobody beats Roger’s Fish Co. Our jumbo white shrimp are individually flash frozen, a process that ensures you receive the freshest tasting seafood possible, no matter where you live.

How to clean and devein shrimp

Deveining your shrimp is an essential step in preparing fresh shrimp. Deveining removes the shrimp's digestive tract, which can contain digestive sediment or grit that doesn’t agree with most palates. Cleaning the shrimp results in a better flavor and presentation. 

How to Devein Shrimp in 3 Easy Steps:

  1. Hold the shrimp firmly and use a small knife to gently make a shallow cut along the back, from the head to the tail.
  2. Use the tip of the knife or your fingers to carefully remove the dark vein.
  3. Rinse the shrimp under cold water to wash away any remaining debris.

Of course, you can skip the cleaning and deveining steps when you buy shrimp online from Roger’s Fish Co., we do the hard part for you. Our Jumbo White Shrimp are cleaned and deveined just hours after being caught, giving you even more time to devote to seasoning, cooking, and of course, eating!

 

How to thaw frozen shrimp 

There are three methods for thawing frozen shrimp: the slow way, the fast way, and the wrong way. Whether you choose the slow or fast way, remember to never rush the thawing process, and never cook shrimp that’s still partially frozen.

The wrong way to thaw shrimp

First things first: do not use hot water to thaw your shrimp. Hot water could partially cook the shrimp, or create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, so you want to avoid hot water until it’s time to cook the shrimp. Additionally, thawing shrimp in the microwave makes shrimp rubbery and bland. So when it’s time to thaw, skip the hot water and the microwave. Your taste buds will thank you. 

The Slow Way to thaw shrimp 

This method for thawing frozen shrimp also happens to be the easiest. Simply place your frozen shrimp in a covered bowl or dish, put it in the fridge, and let it chill – literally – overnight. And that's it–In less than 24 hours, you’ll have perfectly thawed shrimp to cook however you like.

The Fast Way to thaw shrimp 

Place your frozen shrimp in a colander or strainer and run cold water over it for about 10-20 minutes. This method ensures gradual thawing and doesn't cook the shrimp in the process. 

If you prefer not to run the tap for such a long time, you can simply place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl, and fill with cold water until the shrimp is fully submerged. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then drain the water and always check to make sure the shrimp are fully thawed.

Now Let’s Get Cooking!

Once your shrimp is cleaned and thawed, it's time to cook. We won’t leave you hanging, we’ve got the best shrimp recipes and useful tips for creating flavorful dishes your taste buds (and your guests) will go crazy for. 

Shop our selection of delicious shrimp prepared meals and raw ingredients that are caught, prepped and shipped with care. From America's favorite fishmonger straight to your table, cooking shrimp doesn't get much easier than this! 

Check out part 2 of the How to Cook Shrimp series here.

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