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.
If you love this recipe, don't forget to check out our 10 Must Try Easy Shrimp Dinners!
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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.
We love to pair this dish with Instant Pot Baby Red Potatoes and Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob.
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.
Ingredients
- 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.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- 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.
- Spice: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for more heat.
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.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Keep a close eye on the shrimp as they cook. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
Storage
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. If you need to reheat, do so gently in a hot pan or microwave on low power to prevent overcooking.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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📖 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.
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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.
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