Shrimp cook very quickly, typically taking about 2 to 3 minutes depending on the cooking method and shrimp size.
- Boiling: Add peeled and deveined shrimp to boiling water and simmer until they turn pink and opaque, usually about 2-3 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking
- Sautéing: Cook shrimp in a hot skillet with oil or butter for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque
- Grilling: Cook shrimp on a hot grill for about 2-3 minutes per side until no longer translucent
- Steaming: Steam shrimp over boiling water for about 4-6 minutes until pink
- Roasting: Roast shrimp in a 400°F oven for about 6-8 minutes until pink and cooked through
Shrimp are done when they turn from translucent to opaque and pink, curl into a loose "C" shape (too tight an "O" shape indicates overcooking), and feel firm but not rubbery
. Overcooking makes shrimp tough, so it is best to watch closely and remove them as soon as they change color and texture
. In summary, shrimp typically take about 2-3 minutes to cook by boiling, sautéing, or grilling, and slightly longer for steaming or roasting. The key is to cook until just opaque and pink for tender, juicy shrimp
