Shrimps are America’s favorite seafood, thanks to its sweet buttery flavor. When cooked right, shrimps retain their buttery sweetness and have a perfect crunch. The perfect protein to accompany sautéed veggies, pasta, or rice, shrimps can be used in a variety of recipes. Cooking shrimp in the oven is an easy and quick way to get them done right. Keep reading to know how to cook shrimps in the oven so they come out moist with that awesome crunch.
Cooking Shrimp In Oven
Preheat your oven to 400 F.
If you’re using frozen shrimp, thaw them under cold running water for 5 minutes. Placing them in colander ensures all the shrimp get evenly exposed to the cold water. Toss the shrimp occasionally and they should be optimally thawed in 5-7 minutes. Frozen shrimp will no longer be hard, instead, you’ll be able to bend and flex them easily. This is a good tip to check if the shrimp has thawed well.
Pat dry the shrimp on a paper towel. At this stage, you can drizzle a little olive oil on the shrimps and also add seasonings of your choice. Toss the shrimps lightly to coat the oil and seasoning evenly on all the pieces.
Layer the shrimps on a baking sheet in a single layer. Remember there must be ample space between the shrimps so they cook evenly and don’t stick to each other.
Bake for 6-8 minutes at 400 F. The shrimps will turn from blue-grey to light pink and translucent when they’re done. Remove quickly and serve. Ensure you don’t overcook the shrimps or they will turn rough and leathery.
Broiling Shrimp In the Oven
While baking shrimp is a popular method of cooking them in the oven, you can also broil them at high heat if you’re in a hurry. To broil shrimps, you need to thaw frozen shrimp and layer them on the tray with enough space between the pieces. Broil them in the oven only for 2 minutes till they change color from blue-grey to a bright reddish-pink. There’s no need to flip the shrimps since the high heat ensures the shrimps get cooked through evenly. Broiling happens at a very high temperature, so it’s vital to keep an eye on the shrimps to prevent them from getting burnt.
Cooking shrimp in oven is an easy and efficient way to make a large batch in a quick time.
