How to Prepare Shrimp in 4 Easy Steps

How to prepare shrimp in the right way? If you’ve ever eaten shrimp, you’ve undoubtedly encountered them all: butterfly cut, popcorn (breaded), shell on, and shelless.

You might not notice, but there’s something lacking when they appear on your dinner plate: an unappealing black line down the spine. Thoroughly clean the shrimp. If they’re frozen, place them in a colander and pour cool water over them to defrost them slightly.

Using a sharp paring knife, remove the heads. In case you are looking for best shrimp deveiner, we have a list you can check.

They should be peeled. Leave the tails on if it’s suited for the recipe. It’ll make a nicer presentation. Make a small cut down the back of the shrimp with your paring knife to expose the digestive track.

To remove the “dirt,” use the tip of your knife to slowly pull it up and throw it away. Some people are unconcerned about the digestive tract, which some mistake for a vein, while others, particularly Americans, demand that it be removed. The intestines are sometimes gritty, so “deveining,” or removing them, is also beneficial.

This is the best how-to article for you if you want to remove the digestive tract but don’t know how! Once you’ve overcome your fear of deveining using shrimp deveiners, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is. You’ll be familiar with this simple kitchen operation in no time if you follow this step-by-step guide.

How to Prepare Shrimp: Prepping

The first thing you should do is get a clean dish towel or a large quantity of paper towels, as your hands will become quite filthy.

I also keep a tiny throwaway bag on ready for quick disposal when I’m through. You don’t want to throw any shells or shrimp debris in your kitchen trash unless you’re going to the garbage can straight away since it will stink and attract flies. Some people like to save the shells and use them to make soup.

How to Prepare Shrimp: Washing

After that, take the crustaceans out of the package and properly wash them. If they’re frozen, place them in a colander and pour cool water over them until they’re partially defrosted. If you buy shrimp from the grocery store, the heads are usually already removed.

However, the heads may still be attached if you visit your local fishmonger or seafood specialty store. Depending on your preference and the presentation you want to achieve with your dish, you can remove or leave these attached. They’re fantastic in a homemade seafood stock. Place them on a plate or in a bowl once you’ve finished cleaning them.

How to Prepare Shrimp: Peeling

The next step is to determine whether you want to keep the tails on or not. Because you’ll be removing the shells, you might as well remove the tails as well.

I recommend keeping the tails on for a more attractive presentation. When it comes to peeling, it doesn’t matter where you start. If you’re new to the process, though, I recommend starting at the top, or head end. Remove the shell as well as the legs till you get to the tail. Peeling can be stopped or continued. You have the last say.

How to Prepare Shrimp: Done Deveining? Let’s Cook!

The next step is to determine whether you want to keep the tails on or not. Because you’ll be removing the shells, you might as well remove the tails as well. I recommend keeping the tails on for a more attractive presentation.

When it comes to peeling, it doesn’t matter where you start. If you’re new to the process, though, I recommend starting at the top, or head end. Remove the shell as well as the legs till you get to the tail. Peeling can be stopped or continued. You have the last say.