This Easy Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. Combining fresh shrimp with the bold flavors of Old Bay seasoning and a hint of beer, this dish is both quick to prepare and delicious. Enjoy a meal that's fun to eat and sure to impress your family and friends.
Peel and eat shrimp is a restaurant style dish that combines simplicity with flavor. This classic recipe is not only a staple for seafood lovers but also a favorite at family gatherings, summer cookouts, and celebrations. In coastal regions where fresh seafood is abundant, peel and eat shrimp brings the taste of the sea to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.
Why We Love This Recipe:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor: The combination of beer, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic creates a mouthwatering taste.
- Family-Friendly: A fun and interactive meal that kids and adults will love peeling and eating together.
- Versatile Dish: Ideal for casual dinners, parties, or as an appetizer for larger meals.
If you like this seafood recipe, you may also love our Butterfly Fried Shrimp or our Shrimp Scampi without Wine.
Jump to:
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Fresh large shrimp: Look for shrimp that are firm and smell fresh, not fishy.
- Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness to the broth.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich base for sautéing the garlic.
- Garlic: Improves the flavor.
- Beer: Choose a light or medium-bodied beer to complement the shrimp.
- Water: Helps create a flavorful cooking broth.
- Old Bay seasoning: A classic blend that brings out the best in seafood.
- Paprika: Adds a mild, smoky flavor and beautiful color.
- Bay leaves: Infuses the broth with a subtle herbal note.
- Dipping: Homemade cocktail sauce prepared with ketchup and horseradish.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
How to Make Easy Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe
STEP ONE: Sauté the Garlic
In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
STEP TWO: Prepare the Broth
Add the quartered onion, beer, water, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for 3 minutes.
STEP THREE: Boil the Shrimp
Reduce the heat to low. Add the fresh shrimp to the pot and cover with a lid.
Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
STEP FOUR: Serve the Shrimp
Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the broth. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and prepared cocktail sauce.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- Beer: Replace with chicken broth or water for a non-alcoholic version.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, and a pinch of cayenne.
How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- Flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Spice: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for more heat.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Large pot
- Slotted spoon
- Lid
- Knife and cutting board
How Should You Store This?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing is not recommended as shrimp can become rubbery when reheated from frozen.
Note: Refer to Top Tips below for more storage and reheating tips.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
When cooking shrimp, keep a close eye on them as they cook quickly. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
If you need to reheat, do so gently in a hot pan or microwave on low power to prevent overcooking.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Use extra Old Bay seasoning in a Crawfish Boil.
- Add leftover beer to a bread recipe.
- Incorporate leftover shrimp into a Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad.
Need Something To Pair This With?
- Serve with steamed new potatoes and corn.
- Pair with a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
- Add crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
In The Mood For a Similar Dish?
- Shrimp Scampi without Wine
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
- Old Bay Shrimp Salad
Related
More seafood recipes you will love:
FAQ
Peel and eat shrimp cook very quickly, typically within 3-5 minutes. They are done when they turn pink and are no longer translucent.
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.
To peel shrimp, pinch the legs and pull the shell off starting from the head end, then remove the tail if desired. You can also devein the shrimp by making a shallow cut along the back and removing the dark vein.
📖 Recipe
Easy Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Slotted spoon
- Lid
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh large shrimp
- 1 large onion quartered
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beer
- 1 cup water
- 2 ½ tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- lemon wedges
Cocktail sauce
- ketchup
- prepared horseradish
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
- Add the quartered onion, beer, water, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the fresh shrimp to the pot and cover with a lid. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the broth. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and prepared cocktail sauce.
Notes
- Beer: Replace with chicken broth or water for a non-alcoholic version.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, and a pinch of cayenne.
Nutrition
This Easy Peel-and-Eat Shrimp Recipe is perfect for its simplicity and flavor, making it an ideal choice for busy families and home cooks.
Try this recipe today, and don’t forget to share your results or explore more delicious shrimp recipes on our blog!
Important Food Safety Tips
Shrimp should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Use fresh ingredients and store leftovers promptly to prevent foodborne illness.
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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