Learn how to make poached shrimp in just a few simple steps. Poached shrimp results in perfectly cooked shrimp every time. Use in your favorite recipes or shrimp cocktail.
Never worry about tough and rubbery shrimp with this cooking method. Poaching makes shrimp juicy and plump, just the way we like! Feature at dinner or as an appetizer.
For more seafood recipes, check out our Seafood Pasta Salad, Crab Artichoke Dip, and Gluten Free Crab Cakes.
Boiling Shrimp
Poaching is one of the best ways to cook frozen shrimp or fresh if you are looking for a simple yet quick cooking method.
Consider poaching the next time you are craving shrimp cocktail, or a seafood inspired recipe at home.
Cooked shrimp can be served as is or seasoned to perfection with cocktail sauce, fresh lemon juice, garlic butter or your favorite seasoning blend.
Generally enjoyed chilled, you can also skip the ice bath and incorporate poached shrimp in any pasta, casserole, soup or taco recipe.
To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe cards. Enjoy!
Equipment
- large stockpot with lid
- slotted spoon
- medium-sized mixing bowl filled with ice and water
Ingredients
- 2 pounds shrimp
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Fill a large stockpot with water then add the salt and peppercorns. Bring the water to a boil.
Turn the heat off
Once boiling, turn the heat off. Add the shrimp and cover the stockpot. Leave covered for 2-3 minutes for fresh shrimp or 4-5 minutes for frozen shrimp.
Place into an ice bath
Using a slotted spoon remove the shrimp from the hot water and place them into the ice bath for 3 minutes.
The ice bath stops the cooking process to prevent tough and rubbery shrimp. If looking to serve poached shrimp hot, toss immediately into your dish and serve.
You want to steer away from reheating shrimp, if possible, to prevent an unappetizing texture.
Serve
Use in your favorite recipe or enjoy with shrimp sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shrimp can be the star of the show when it comes to entertaining. If serving as an appetizer, generally plan on 2-3 shrimp per person. Large shrimp weigh in anywhere from 30-35 shrimp per pound to help you plan accordingly.
Yes. Poaching is an excellent way to quickly cook frozen shrimp without needing to thaw first.
Cooked shrimp cocktail is best served immediately. If looking to store leftovers, we wouldn’t recommend keeping longer than 2-3 days.
Store shrimp in the fridge until ready to serve. Leftovers should return to the fridge in an airtight container.
Serve in a classic shrimp cocktail recipe or toss in your favorite salads, wraps, fried rice, pasta or tacos. The shrimp can be served whole or chopped to be incorporated into a recipe.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Keep a close eye on the shrimp and remove as soon as they turn pink (approximately 2-3 minutes for fresh and 4-5 minutes for frozen).
- An ice bath will stop the cooking process and prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery. Remember we used an ice bath when freezing peaches and broccoli!
- You can use tail on or tail off shrimp for this recipe – read the package to see which one you are making.
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes
- Air Fry Shrimp
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Shrimp Foil Packets in the Oven
- Shrimp Orzo Salad
- Shrimp Scampi Pasta (Gluten Free)
- Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Poached Shrimp
Equipment
- medium-sized mixing bowl filled with ice and water
Ingredients
- 2 pounds shrimp
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Instructions
- ⭐️Bring water to a boil. Fill a large stockpot with water then add the salt and peppercorns. Bring the water to a boil.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- ⭐️Turn the heat off. Once boiling, turn the heat off. Add the shrimp and cover the stockpot. Leave covered for 2-3 minutes for fresh shrimp or 4-5 minutes for frozen shrimp.2 pounds shrimp
- ⭐️Place into an ice bath. Using a slotted spoon remove the shrimp from the hot water and place them into the ice bath for 3 minutes.
- Serve. Use in your favorite recipe or enjoy with shrimp sauce.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
Serve in a classic shrimp cocktail recipe or toss in your favorite salads, wraps, fried rice, pasta or tacos. The shrimp can be served whole or chopped to be incorporated into a recipe.Storage & Reheating Instructions
Poached shrimp is best served immediately after cooking. If looking to store leftovers, keep in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days. We do not recommend reheating shrimp as they often become tough and rubbery. Enjoy the leftovers chilled. CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination. The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.Nutrition
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