The Simple Yet Brilliant Trick for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time

Shrimp are one of the easiest proteins to prepare. Just heat some olive oil in a pan, sear the shrimp, and finish with a dollop of butter for a bite that’s tender, juicy, and sweet all at once. They cook in no time, are affordable, widely available, and a healthy option. Shrimp add elegance to any meal with their irresistible flavor.

Maybe that's why shrimp are a favorite seafood choice. Keep a bag of frozen shrimp in your freezer, thaw them quickly, and enjoy a speedy dinner any night. If it sounds like we’re gushing about these little delights, you're right—we can’t get enough of them!

The fast cooking time of shrimp can make them tricky to cook perfectly. Overcook them, and they turn into a tough, rubbery disaster. But don’t worry! We've got an easy, fail-safe method to ensure your shrimp stay plump and perfectly cooked—it's all about the magic of two letters: “C” and “O.”

How to Know When Shrimp Are Perfectly Done

Shrimp can be cooked in many ways—whether boiled, seared, grilled, poached, or even 'cooked' in ceviche. The goal is always the same: to achieve tender shrimp that don’t end up tough and rubbery.

As shrimp cook, their proteins contract, causing them to curl slightly. When perfectly cooked, they should form a “C” shape. If you keep cooking them, they’ll tighten up into an “O” shape, indicating they’ve been overcooked.

It’s as simple as this: “C” means “cooked”, and “O” means “overcooked.” It really is that straightforward!

Does This Tip Apply to All Shrimp Varieties?

Did you know that there are over 2,000 known species of shrimp around the world? Despite this vast number, we mostly eat just a few varieties: pink, brown, rock, white, tiger, and royal reds. Regardless of the shrimp type or size, they’ll all curl into a “C” shape when properly cooked.

This holds true whether you’re using fresh or previously frozen shrimp. Most shrimp sold in the U.S. are flash-frozen to preserve quality, even if they’re displayed on ice in your local store. In fact, those thawed shrimp in the seafood section were likely frozen and thawed before reaching the market, meaning it's tough to know how “fresh” they actually are unless you’re buying directly from a trusted fishmonger.

Whether fresh or frozen, shrimp will still curl into a “C” shape when they’re cooked perfectly. It’s like shrimp come with their own built-in cooking indicator.

How to Prevent Overcooking Shrimp

Now that you know what perfectly cooked shrimp should look like, how do you actually cook them? When we say shrimp cook quickly, we really mean it. Whether sautéing or grilling, they only need a minute or two on each side, so don’t step away! Flip them when they’ve just started to turn pink on one side. As soon as they curl into a C shape, take them off the heat and let the residual warmth finish the job.

If you're poaching, steaming, or boiling shrimp, look for the same signs. They'll turn pink and curl into a C when they’re done. Boiling shrimp in a dark broth or sauce can be trickier, so you may need to pull out a few to check their doneness visually.