How to Microwave Shrimp (2024)

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How to Microwave Shrimp

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Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

4-5 mins

Free Time

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Yes, you can (and should!) cook seafood in the microwave — especially juicy, succulent shrimp. Steaming retains the shrimps’ natural flavor and a bit of bite. There’s no need to add any oil before cooking, from fresh or frozen. Plus, they’re ready in under the time it takes you to peel a plate’s worth. Want co*cktail shrimp or shrimp scampi on a weeknight? The microwave is your friend.

Why Use An Anyday? When using an Anyday dish, shrimp take about 3-4 minutes to cook in the microwave until fully steamed through. While shrimp quickly cooks on the stovetop or in the oven, the convenience of an Anyday dish is unmatched: Cook, serve, store, and reheat shrimp all in the same dish. Then place the Anyday dish right in the dishwasher when the shrimp has been devoured.

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What You’ll Need

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts,dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!

Ingredients

8 ounces large shrimp (21/25), peeled and deveined
Olive oil (optional)
Salt and pepper

Preparation

Season shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
Place in one layer in an Anyday Shallow Dish.
Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
Cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, or until shrimp is opaque white with bright pink accents.

Serving suggestions & tips

Taco filling: Season with chili powder and lime juice
Tangy chili: Mix with Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, and chili flakes
Thai-inspired: Mix with sweet chili sauce, chopped cilantro, and lime juice
Scampi: Mix with melted butter, garlic powder, chopped parsley, and a splash of lemon juice
co*cktail-style: Cool completely, add a squeeze of lemon juice, and serve with co*cktail sauce.
Mexican-style shrimp co*cktail: Mix in with tomato juice, chopped red onion, cilantro, lime juice, avocado and hot sauce. Enjoy with thinly sliced celery
Quick shrimp scampi: add some butter, garlic powder, chopped parsley, and lemon juice
Shrimp and avocado salad: Cut the shrimp into smaller pieces and toss with fresh diced tomatoes, avocado, lime juice and zest, olive oil, chopped cilantro, and hot sauce

Recipe notes

For the most even cooking, flip halfway through the cook time.
You may need to add time for larger shrimp, and decrease time for smaller shrimp.
For frozen shrimp, add 1 teaspoon liquid (e.g. water, chicken stock, soy sauce) per 8oz of shrimp to quickly boost the steam. You may need to add a bit more cook time.
We recommend using an Anyday Shallow Dish for cooking proteins. If using an Anyday Deep Dish, you may need to add more cooking time.
Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Shrimp

See for yourself— microwaving shrimp is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance	Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish	3-4 mins
Oven*	15-20 mins
Stovetop*	10-15 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)*	15-18 mins

*Includes preheat time

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Step by Step: Microwaving Shrimp

Place shrimp in one layer in an Anyday Shallow Dish

Cover with the lid (knob lifted).

Cook in the microwave.

Shrimp is ready when opaque and pink.

All you need to know about microwaving shrimp

How long does shrimp take to cook in the microwave?

Ingredient	Cook Time
8 oz (225g) large shrimp	4-5 mins
16 oz (450g) large shrimp	6-7 mins
24 oz (680g) large shrimp	8-9 mins

Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

Shrimp take about 3-4 minutes to steam in the microwave for a 1000w microwave. Cook times can vary based on the size and amount of shrimp in the dish. When cooking shrimp, stir periodically to ensure even cooking. If any portion is gray, continue cooking until pink and opaque. It’s very easy to overcook shrimp, so start with less time and add more as needed.

How to tell when shrimp is cooked through?

The easiest way to tell if shrimp is cooked through is by looking at its color. Raw shrimp is translucent and gray while cooked shrimp is opaque and pink. The shrimp is fully cooked when a thermometer reads 145°F. You can also test for doneness using the “bounce test.” Fully cooked shrimp will bounce back when pressed down, while undercooked shrimp will not.

How to microwave raw shrimp from frozen?

When you are ready to microwave frozen shrimp, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. You can also cook directly from frozen using an Anyday dish, adding time in 1-minute increments.

How to microwave cooked shrimp from frozen?

Frozen, pre-cooked shrimp are ready to eat as soon as they are thawed. To microwave from frozen, add 1 teaspoon of water to the dish, cover and microwave in 30 second increments, or until the shrimp are warmed through.

How to make co*cktail shrimp in the microwave?

Defrost a dozen shrimp, place them in an even layer in my Large Shallow Dish along with some fresh lemon zest, and microwave for 3 minutes. If the shrimp aren’t fully opaque, leave the lid on with the knob down to let the residual steam finish the job. When the shrimp are fully cooked, drop into an ice bath to quickly chill. Serve over ice with co*cktail sauce and plenty of lemon.