Pan Fry Shrimp

Shrimp is a popular food that is easy to cook, as there are many ways to prepare it. Frying shrimp in a pan over high heat is one way to enjoy it on its own, or combined with vegetables, pastas or rice. It can be cooked quickly this way, and most recipes are simple and fresh. Pan fry shrimp for a quick weeknight dinner or an impromptu dinner party with a few close family members and friends. Read on after the jump for easy instructions on pan-frying shrimp at home!

Ingredients

• Shrimp
• Salt and pepper
• Butter or olive oil

Steps

1. Prepare the shrimp for cooking. The best shrimp to pan fry are raw, but frozen shrimp can also be used. Peel and devein the shrimp, and if they are frozen, defrost them by running them under cool water. Tails can be kept on or off, depending on personal preference.
   • Some people prefer to pan fry the shrimp with the shells on them.
2. Rinse the shrimp. Run the shrimp under cool running water, and pull off any remaining pieces of shell, veins or legs. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
3. Put a frying pan on the stovetop and turn the heat on high. Melt some butter in the pan, or coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil.
4. Season the shrimp. While the pan is getting hot, generously sprinkle salt and pepper on the shrimp. Add any other spices or herbs that are preferred. Popular choices include garlic, onion, ginger, parsley or lemon.
5. Put the shrimp into the hot pan. Spread them out in the pan so they have enough room to cook. Stir them with a spoon frequently so that both sides of the shrimp get cooked. Cook them over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the shrimp have turned opaque and pink or orange.
6. Remove the shrimp from the heat and serve them immediately. Pan fried shrimp taste is most often served hot or warm. Serve them over rice or vegetables, or mixed with pasta and olive oil.

Tips

• Brining shrimp before cooking it is a good way to give the fried shrimp a crispier texture and extra flavor by taking out some of the shrimp's surface moisture. Cover the shrimp in 1 cup (8 oz.) of sea salt for every 2 cups (16 oz.) of water, and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Make sure raw shrimp smell fresh before purchasing them, and try to buy shrimp caught locally so it is unlikely they were frozen before being sold.

Warnings

• Clean all surfaces and utensils thoroughly after handling raw shrimp, to prevent food poisoning. Make sure it is fully cooked before eating it. Do not overcook the shrimp either, or it will taste rubbery and tough.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Frying pan
• Spoon

Related Articles

• Pan Fry
• Make Prawn and Vegetable Balti

Sources and Citations

• http://www.helpwithcooking.com/seafood-shellfish/how-to-cook-shrimp-prawn.html
• http://www.howtocookmeat.com/how-to-pan-fry-shrimp.htm
• http://www.eaglewoodgourmetfood.com/how-to-cook-shrimp.html

See also

• Cook Black and Pepper Butter Shrimp
• Cook Shrimp
• Raise Sea Monkeys
• Prepare Shrimp for Cooking
• Cook Cereal Prawn
• Prepare and Cook Prawns
• Make Coconut Shrimp
• Make Panko Fried Shrimp
• Fry Shrimp
• Cook Frozen Shrimp

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• Make a Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
• Pan Fry