Learn how to know when shrimp is done to create delicious shrimp recipes! Cooking animal protein is very tricky as it can make you sick if you get it wrong. You’ll see a huge transformation in appearance between raw shrimp and cooked shrimp. In today’s post, I will explain how to know when shrimp is done cooking. The line between perfectly cooked shrimp and over-cooked shrimp is really thin. Here, I’ve given a few tips to check if your shrimp is done. You can keep on reading further to learn how to know when shrimp is done.
How To Know When Shrimp Is Done?
In this section, I will teach you how to know when shrimp is done. There is nothing as delicious as shrimp and are very easy to prepare. Luckily, there are several methods to test if your shrimp is properly cooked or not.
You can use these methods to learn how to know when grilled shrimp is done.
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Color change
One of the fastest ways to learn how to tell if shrimp is undercooked is to look at its color. When shrimp is raw, it looks gray and translucent in color. After cooking, the shrimp turns white and has hints of pink or red. To check the doneness of your cooked shrimp is to carefully observe its color.
Now, you must be wondering how to tell if shrimp is overcooked. Your shrimp will become too white if you overcook it.
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Examine the shape
Another easy way to tell if your shrimp is cooked is by looking at its shape. Generally, raw shrimp is straight in shape but begins to curve inward and shrink as you cook. The moment your shrimp starts forming a C-shape, it is perfectly cooked. But if continue to cook, it will form an O-shape indicating they are overcooked.
So, make sure you remember this trick; C-shaped means cooked, and O-shaped means overcooked.
You can keep on reading to learn more about how to know when shrimp is done frying.
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Feel the texture
To tell if your shrimp is cooked or overcooked, you need to feel its texture. You can either use your finger or a fork and gently press down on the shrimp. Raw or undercooked shrimp will feel springy, bouncy, or slimy in texture. On the other hand, overcooked shrimp feels tough or rubbery. Therefore, a perfectly cooked shrimp should be between these two textures. If you feel a soft and tender texture while cooking, immediately take them off the heat.
Let us now check out how to know when shrimp is done temperature.
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Check temperature
Many home cooks get nervous while cooking shrimp as they find it tough to trust their own senses. This method is just perfect for you if you are still wondering how to know when shrimp is done! You can check if your shrimp is cooked properly by checking their temperature. For this method, you’ll need a food thermometer and check if the temperature is 145 °F. Make sure you insert the thermometer into the center of the thickest part of the shrimp.
It is very easy to boil shrimp but how to know when shrimp is done boiling? While boiling your shrimp, keep an eye on the crevice in the back of the shrimp. Your shrimp is done when you see the flesh at the base of that crevice turn from translucent to opaque.
However, you can use any one of these methods to learn how to tell if frozen shrimp is cooked.
Side Effects of Eating Undercooked Shrimp
I hope now you’ve understood how to know when shrimp is done. Shrimp is popular in many countries and is safe to eat only when cooked properly. But what happens if you eat undercooked shrimp? Eating undercooked or raw shrimp can be very harmful and life-threatening too.
Consuming undercooked shrimp can cause the following side effects.
- Gastritis
- Cholera
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
Older adults, pregnant women, and young children should avoid eating raw or undercooked shrimp. This can directly affect their immune system and are at a higher risk of catching a fatal illness.
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FAQ
How Long Does It Take To Cook Shrimp?
Depending on the size of the shrimp, it should only take four to five minutes to cook fully. Optional, squeeze some lime juice or lemon juice at the end, before serving. If the shrimp start turning white, they are overcooked. Over cooked shrimp will be rubbery, so don’t let them cook too long.
Can Shrimp Be Slightly Undercooked?
ThermoWorks says that your shrimp is finished cooking when it reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Yummly cautions that you should not eat undercooked shrimp, as it can contain bacteria that lead to foodborne illnesses.
Is Shrimp Easy To Overcook?
Grab some shrimp and supper is served before you can even set the table. But that’s one of the reasons shrimp are often overcooked. They cook so quickly—usually in two to three minutes—that they can go from tender to rubbery before you even realize what’s happening.
What Does Fully Cooked Shrimp Look Like?
A perfectly cooked shrimp is firm enough to curl without being constricted, and it has an opaque pinky color with a sheen. When they are overcooked, shrimp turn matte white or gray. Another easy way to tell if your shrimp are cooked is if they are curled into a nice C shape.
Conclusion
In the above post, you got to learn how to know when the shrimp is done cooking. By just looking at the color and shape of the shrimp, you can figure out if it is cooked or overcooked. Undercooked shrimp will be straight in shape while perfectly cooked shrimp will be C-shaped. But if you overcook it, it will look like the letter O. You can even check the temperature of your cooked shrimp by using a food thermometer. 145 °F is the perfect temperature for almost all seafood. Once you understand how to know when shrimp is done, you can easily tell if a shrimp is cooked.
How do you know when shrimp is fully cooked