How to Boil Shrimp With Heads on Using Old Bay

How to Boil Shrimp With Heads on Using Old Bay
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Few things taste better than well-seasoned boiled shrimp. Shrimp boiled with lemon, garlic, onion, salt and Old Bay seasoning will leave your taste buds in delightful shock. In addition, boiled shrimp are a healthy source of protein and only contain 3 to 10 calories per shrimp, according to thefatlossauthority.com. According to your preference, shrimp can be eaten alone or used to add variety to a salad or pasta dish. To start, though, you must first boil your shrimp properly to create a great-tasting, healthy meal.

Step 1

Add 2 quarts water to a 4- to 6-qt. pot.

Step 2

Add the onion, garlic, lemon and Old Bay seasoning to your pot and bring the water to a boil. Be sure to cover your pot to prevent the evaporation of the water and seasoning. Once the water is at a full boil, reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 3

Wash the shrimp under cold water, keeping their heads on.

Step 4

Bring the simmering pot back to a boil and add the shrimp.

Step 5

Re-cover the pot and remove it from the heat. Let your shrimp sit in the pot until their shells are pink and the meat is white, or approximately three to five minutes.

Step 6

Remove your boiled shrimp from the pot and immediately serve them.

Tips and Warnings

  • Ensure that your guests know to remove the shells and heads before eating. Do not overcook your shrimp or the meat will fall apart and be difficult to eat. Serve the shrimp with a cocktail dipping sauce if desired. You can reuse the seasoned water for a second batch of shrimp if you choose to prepare more.
  • Keep all children and pets away from a pot of boiling water.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • 1 sliced lemon
  • 1 small peeled onion
  • 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. medium shrimp with heads
  • 7 to 8 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning

References

Article reviewed by SPEstes Last updated on: Jul 27, 2011

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