Learn how to perfectly poach shrimp with our gentle cooking method that ensures flavorful results.
If you haven’t tried poaching shrimp before, now is the perfect time to start! This simple and quick method is ideal for various shrimp dishes like salads, shrimp cocktail, and more.
Our shrimp poaching technique is similar to poaching salmon, chicken, and eggs. You’ll create a flavorful poaching liquid using basic ingredients and carefully poach the shrimp to perfection.
Essential Ingredients
- Shrimp: I’ve used large shrimp in the photos, taking about 3 minutes to cook. Cooking times for other shrimp sizes are provided below.
- Water: Use 8 cups of water in a large pot for poaching shrimp.
- Lemon: Add fresh flavor by cutting a lemon in half and adding it to the poaching liquid.
- Garlic: For a subtle garlic hint, include 2 peeled and lightly crushed cloves in the liquid.
- Bay leaf: A classic addition that enhances the shrimp’s aroma.
- Salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning: Season the water generously for perfectly seasoned shrimp once cooked. I recommend salt, pepper, and homemade Cajun seasoning.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recommended Cooking Times
The shrimp size determines cooking times. Below are standard shrimp sizes and their corresponding cooking times. Note that these are estimated times; refer to our tips for checking shrimp doneness in the poaching liquid.
- Small shrimp (71-90 per pound): 1 to 2 minutes
- Medium shrimp (41-50 per pound): 2 to 3 minutes
- Large shrimp (31-40 per pound): 3 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp (21-25 per pound): 4 to 5 minutes
- Colossal shrimp (16-20 per pound): 5 to 6 minutes
- Super Colossal shrimp (8 to 12 per pound): 6 to 7 minutes
Signs of cooked shrimp: Cooked shrimp transition from translucent to opaque, changing color from grayish to pink or orange. They curl into a loose “C” shape, while overcooked shrimp curl tightly into an “O” shape. The shrimp should feel firm and springy when touched. If it’s still soft, it needs more cooking time.
If unsure, cut into a shrimp to test doneness. Leave it in the poaching liquid for 20 to 30 seconds if undercooked.
More Shrimp Recipes
Easy Poached Shrimp
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PREP
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COOK
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TOTAL
Discover the art of poaching shrimp to achieve perfectly cooked and flavorful results. Cooking times may vary based on shrimp size. The recipe assumes large shrimp, with guidelines for other sizes provided above.
While the poaching liquid can accommodate multiple pounds of shrimp, we recommend poaching one pound at a time.
Makes 1 pound
You Will Need
1 pound large shrimp (31-40 per pound), refer to notes for cooking larger quantities
2 quarts water
1 lemon, halved
2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
1 bay leaf
3 twists of pepper
1 ½ tablespoons salt
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, optional
Directions
1Prepare the shrimp: Depending on your serving style, peel the shrimp or leave the shells on. For salads, peel and devein the shrimp before poaching. For shrimp cocktail, consider peeling and deveining while leaving the tails.
2Prepare the poaching liquid: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Squeeze lemon juice into the water, add the lemon halves, garlic, bay leaf, pepper, salt, and Cajun seasoning. Bring the liquid to a boil.
3Poach the shrimp: Once the water boils, remove the pot from heat and immediately submerge the shrimp. Use a timer for the recommended cooking times: 2 to 3 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large shrimp, and 4 to 5 minutes for jumbo shrimp. Cooked shrimp turn opaque and feel firm when done. If soft, they need more time.
4Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate. Cool in the fridge or an ice-water bath.
5If poaching another batch, ensure the liquid boils before adding more shrimp.
Adam and Joanne’s Advice
- For more than 1 pound of shrimp: While the poaching liquid can handle multiple pounds, we recommend poaching one pound at a time. If cooking more, ensure the liquid boils before adding the next batch.
- Nutrition facts are approximate.
Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1/4 pound shrimp
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Calories
112
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Total Fat
0.3g
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Saturated Fat
0.1g
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Cholesterol
214.2mg
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Sodium
125.8mg
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Carbohydrate
0.2g
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Dietary Fiber
0g
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Total Sugars
0g
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Protein
27.2g
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