How to Cook Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail

Name: How to Cook Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 Lb frozen Shrimp; 3 quarts cold water; ½ onion; ½ lemon; 1 Tbs garlic; 1 Tbs old bay; 1 bay leaf; 3 cups ice; 3 cups water; pinch salt; 1 tbs lemon juice

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5.0

3 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
8 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings
4 servings
Calories
112 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

How to Cook Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail

Alina Barrett

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Easy, Fast and a great way to prepare shrimp for shrimp cocktail! Takes about 10 minutes start to finish!

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Ingredients

Servings

1 Lb frozen Shrimp
3 quarts cold water
½ onion in slices
½ lemon in slices
1 Tbs garlic minced
1 Tbs old bay
1 bay leaf optional
3 cups ice
3 cups water
pinch salt
1 tbs lemon juice

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Instructions

Thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
In a 5-6 quart stock pot, stir together the water, onion, lemon, garlic, old bay and bay leaf and heat over medium high heat until water begins to simmer.
Bring stock pot to a simmer and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together in the simmering water.
While the water is simmering, prepare a iced water bath by adding 3 cups of ice to a medium sized bowl and 3 cups of water. set aside.
Add the shrimp to the simmering stock pot for 2-3 minutes, cooking until bright pink. Do not overcook.
Remove the shrimp from the boiling water with a kitchen spider and place into the ice bath. This stops the cooking and chills the shrimp.
Remove shrimp to a plate, pat dry with paper towels, sprinkle with salt and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS
Shrimp - You can use fresh, raw, cooked, uncooked, frozen, shell on, shell off, tail on, tail off or ANY size shrimp you find for boiled shrimp. The idea being that it will take a varying amount of cook time for each of these variances. The shrimp is done when it is pink, opaque and curled.
Water - You can always use vegetable broth or chicken broth to boil your shrimp and this will add more flavor. Use seafood broth if you have it!
Spices, herbs and flavors - You can use any that you prefer. Just remember that seafood is already a bit salty so go easy with salt. Also remember that not ALL seasonings will go with the flavor of shrimp so if you are new to this, maybe go with the recipe to start.
Start with raw or uncooked shrimp. These can either be fresh or frozen. If they are frozen, you must thaw them first.
To thaw frozen shrimp, move them from the freezer to the refrigerator the night/day before you plan to use them OR you can set the bag in a bowl of cool water several hours before you plan to use them. Do NOT set them in a bowl of hot water.
You will want the water at a lively simmer. Remove any water from the bag that the shrimp are in before adding them to the simmering water.
How long it takes the shrimp to cook will depend on the size of the shrimp, the state of the shrimp before cooking (frozen, very cold, precooked, etc.).
The shrimp are done when they are bright pink, the flesh is opaque and they begin to curl a bit.
It's easiest to remove them from the water with a kitchen spider

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 0.25lb Calories 112kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 183mg (61%) Sodium 136mg (6%) Potassium 353mg (10%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 31IU (1%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 93mg (9%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 112 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	0.25lb
Calories	112kcal	6%
Carbohydrates	4g	1%
Protein	23g	46%
Fat	1g	2%
Saturated Fat	0.2g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.2g	1%
Monounsaturated Fat	0.1g	1%
Trans Fat	0.01g	1%
Cholesterol	183mg	61%
Sodium	136mg	6%
Potassium	353mg	8%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	1g	2%
Vitamin A	31IU	1%
Vitamin C	9mg	10%
Calcium	93mg	9%
Iron	1mg	6%