Do you love shrimp? Perhaps you have some on-hand and are looking for some dinner or lunch inspiration? If so, you have come to the right place because we are sharing some fantastic Shrimp Recipe Ideas to inspire you in the kitchen.
Shrimp is such a delicious protein because it is quick to prepare, and cook. You can bake it, grill it, and even cook it via the sous vide method. The possibilities of preparing shrimp are endless. In fact, it is one of my favorite foods, hence this post inspiration.
What do shrimp sizes mean?
The beauty of shrimp is that they come in different sizes. You can learn more about portion size to be sure your meal has enough to go around by visiting that site.
Most of our recipes feature extra large shrimp. Keep in mind that when shrimp cook they do shrink in size. I suggest always going up a few sizes if you are looking for a healthy size. Extra small, and small sizes are best for salads while extra jumbo and above are perfect for stuffing or grilling.
Frozen or fresh?
Unless you go to a specialty fish monger, most likely the shrimp sold at your grocery’s store seafood counter has been frozen. Frozen shrimp will need to safely thaw in the refrigerator until they are no longer frozen.
For food safety, always keep frozen unless they will be cooked within 24 hours. They can grow bacteria FAST if you keep them thawed from frozen too long. You will notice the bag will get extra gases inside and will smell foul. Throw away any shrimp that is discolored, foul smelling, or any with bloated bags.
How to cook shrimp on the stove
Cooking shrimp on the stove is as easy as having a thick walled skillet, some quality oil, and spices. Simply season with the peel either on or off, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until pink throughout.
Do not overcook or your shrimp will become tough, and shrink greatly.
Do I need to peel shrimp?
Peeling shrimp before cooking is a matter of preference and the dish being cooked. If you are making a grilled recipe, it is best to peel the body and leave the tails on.
If you are making a salad, you will need to fully peel them before cooking.
However, if you are making a saucy meal like shrimp Mozambique, you will want to keep the peels on to be able to “suck out” the succulent juices this dish provides.
I hope you all enjoy these shrimp dinners, lunches, and appetizer ideas. Please let us know if you try any of these in the comments.
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