Keto Means
Photo by Erik Mclean Pexels Logo Photo: Erik Mclean

What is the easiest way to clean shrimp?

If shrimp are still in the shell, use a sharp scissors and cut along the middle back of each shrimp, leaving the tail intact. Using a sharp paring knife, cut along the dark vein on the back of each shrimp and remove it. Rinse out the back of each shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.

Will grapes take you out of ketosis?
Will grapes take you out of ketosis?

Despite the many health benefits of fruit, there is an issue with some fruits on the keto diet. Grapes and bananas, for instance, contain high...

Read More »
How many weeks does it take to lose weight on keto?
How many weeks does it take to lose weight on keto?

Generally, you'll need to adhere to a caloric deficit of around 500 calories per day. At this rate, you should start to see noticeable weight loss...

Read More »

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy. This quick and easy how-to for cleaning and deveining shrimp is used by caterers and culinary professionals for a very good reason. It always results in gorgeous, luscious shrimp for all your best recipes. Why do it? Cleaning and shelling prawns and shrimp at home is a great alternative to buying bags of EZ-peel or pre-peeled shrimp. Chances are you’ll have more sizes to choose from and better quality shrimp for the price. In my book, that’s one of the best reasons to do it yourself.

Is cleaning shrimp really necessary?

Technically, no. The little black line on the bottom of the shrimp, also called a “vein,” is just a digestive tract. Depending on what the shrimp ate before it was caught, it could be darker than the rest of the meat. It could have some sand in it, or algae. But, is shrimp poop safe to eat?

While some people consider it unsightly or are turned off by it, it really isn’t harmful to eat. It just looks better without it. Peeling shrimp before eating them, on the other hand, makes for a better experience, texture-wise. But even that isn’t entirely necessary. I know lots of folks who love their spiced, in-the-peel boiled shrimp sold in seafood markets on the East coast.

When do you clean shrimp?

You can clean shrimp when they’re raw or previously cooked. Here are some guidelines:

Step-by-step instructions:

This method works with any size shrimp, raw or cooked, peel-on or peel-off. Cleaning and peeling frozen shrimp? Read how to thaw shrimp below before you begin. All you need is a pair of sturdy kitchen shears or a sharp paring knife. Work one shrimp at a time. Using the knife (or shears) make a shallow slice (or snip) right through the shell on the shrimp’s back, from its head to its tail. (I start at the fattest part of the shrimp and cut towards the tail.) Then carefully pick out the black or green vein that runs along the back and discard it. If you want to devein a shrimp with the shell on, that’s all there is to it—you’re done. On to the next shrimp! Otherwise, remove the shrimp shell using the instructions below.

Peeling and shelling shrimp:

You can peel shrimp before or after cooking—it’s up to you and the recipe. To take the shell off a shrimp, start by pinching off the tail, then the rest of the shell should peel off fairly easily. To leave the tail on shrimp, break off the shell at the base of the tail, and remove the shell and legs, if they’re attached, leaving the tail in tact.

Figuring out shrimp sizes:

Is it possible to lose 8 kgs in 2 weeks?
Is it possible to lose 8 kgs in 2 weeks?

if the value is under 25, then you are in the right range for your height.) So, to lose 8 kg out of 63 kg is very difficult - even in the long...

Read More »
Where should you not use baking soda?
Where should you not use baking soda?

Things You Should Never Clean With Baking Soda 1) Antique silver. Although baking soda can pretty quickly remove tarnish from silverware, it...

Read More »

On the boat and at the factory, shrimp are sorted by size and given a number. This number lets you know about how many shrimp come in a pound. For example, the numbers 16/20 tells you that there are anywhere from 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. Other times, you may see a letter U before a number, like U10. That means that there are approximately 10 shrimp (or under) per pound. For example…

Extra colossal shrimp= U10 shrimp= under 10 shrimp per pound

U10 shrimp= under 10 shrimp per pound Colossal shrimp= U15 shrimp= under 15 shrimp per pound U15 shrimp= under 15 shrimp per pound Extra jumbo shrimp= 16/20 shrimp= 16 to 20 shrimp per pound 16/20 shrimp= 16 to 20 shrimp per pound Extra large shrimp= 26/30 shrimp= 26 to 30 shrimp per pound You may have guessed this already, but the higher the number, the smaller the shrimp. The lower the number, the larger (and pricier) the shrimp. Don’t be afraid to go small. Tiny shrimp are delicious choices for shrimp salad, stir-fry, or a big batch of fried rice. Save the biggest shrimp for making big impressions. (Think super fancy shrimp cocktail or shrimp skewers.)

Recipe tips:

Fresh or frozen shrimp? Unless you live right on the coast, the best choice is frozen shrimp. I always buy frozen shrimp, no matter what. Really! Here’s why.That’s because almost all shrimp that comes to us has been previously frozen, usually as soon as it’s caught on the boat. When you thaw shrimp at home, you’re getting the absolute freshest shrimp possible. When you buy “fresh” shrimp at the grocery store, someone else has thawed it, but you don’t know when. Maybe yesterday, maybe last week. Better to be safe than sorry, because fresh shrimp tastes so much better than, well, not fresh shrimp. Unless you live right on the coast, the best choice is frozen shrimp. I always buy frozen shrimp, no matter what. Really! Here’s why.That’s because almost all shrimp that comes to us has been previously frozen, usually as soon as it’s caught on the boat. When you thaw shrimp at home, you’re getting the absolute freshest shrimp possible. When you buy “fresh” shrimp at the grocery store, someone else has thawed it, but you don’t know when. Maybe yesterday, maybe last week. Better to be safe than sorry, because fresh shrimp tastes so much better than, well, not fresh shrimp. What to look for when buying fresh shrimp. Use your senses when shopping for shrimp. Good quality, freshest-of-the-fresh shrimp should smell briny and even sweet, like the ocean. Go somewhere else if the shrimp smell like ammonia, are slimy, and have black spots on the shells, which is a sign of age. Use your senses when shopping for shrimp. Good quality, freshest-of-the-fresh shrimp should smell briny and even sweet, like the ocean. Go somewhere else if the shrimp smell like ammonia, are slimy, and have black spots on the shells, which is a sign of age. Wild or farmed shrimp? That depends on your and your grocery budget! Wild-caught shrimp have a stronger flavor, but can cost a lot more.I usually choose farm-raised shrimp from a sustainable, responsible grower. If you’re in doubt, read the packaging carefully—shrimp farmers are proud of their sustainability efforts and will advertise it on the label—and look up the latest shrimp news on Seafood Watch.

Are tomatoes better cooked?
Are tomatoes better cooked?

The cooking of tomatoes appears to increase the availability of key nutrients, such as the carotenoids lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Stewed...

Read More »
How much weight do you lose first week on keto?
How much weight do you lose first week on keto?

Anecdotally, people report losses within the first week of anywhere from 1 pound (0.5 kg) to 10 or more pounds (5 kg). The larger you are, the more...

Read More »

That depends on your and your grocery budget! Wild-caught shrimp have a stronger flavor, but can cost a lot more.I usually choose farm-raised shrimp from a sustainable, responsible grower. If you’re in doubt, read the packaging carefully—shrimp farmers are proud of their sustainability efforts and will advertise it on the label—and look up the latest shrimp news on Seafood Watch. Thaw in the refrigerator: Let the shrimp thaw overnight in the fridge, (place the bag on a tray or in a bowl in case the bag has a tiny hole– and yes, I learned this the hard way.) Let the shrimp thaw overnight in the fridge, (place the bag on a tray or in a bowl in case the bag has a tiny hole– and yes, I learned this the hard way.) Thaw in the sink: For quicker thawing, open the bag and put them in a bowl of cold (not warm) water. Then turn on the faucet and let a thin trickle of cold water run into the bowl, letting the excess water overflow out of the bowl and down the sink drain. Depending on the amount you are thawing, the shrimp should thaw in a few minutes. For quicker thawing, open the bag and put them in a bowl of cold (not warm) water. Then turn on the faucet and let a thin trickle of cold water run into the bowl, letting the excess water overflow out of the bowl and down the sink drain. Depending on the amount you are thawing, the shrimp should thaw in a few minutes. Shrimp stock: Save those shells and make a delicious batch of homemade shrimp stock.

Will I gain weight on 2000 calories a day?
Will I gain weight on 2000 calories a day?

On the other hand, a 2,000-calorie diet would exceed the calorie needs of some people, likely resulting in weight gain. Though 2,000-calorie diets...

Read More »
Does oatmeal raise blood sugar quickly?
Does oatmeal raise blood sugar quickly?

Steel-cut oats are best for type 2 diabetes because they are the least-processed version of oat groats. “Rolled oats have a higher GI than steel-...

Read More »
What sweet things can you eat on keto?
What sweet things can you eat on keto?

12 Keto Desserts That Support Ketosis Keto Blueberry Cobbler. ... Strawberry Vanilla Keto BHB Popsicles. ... Keto Brownies with Whipped Cream. ......

Read More »
What I ate to lose weight?
What I ate to lose weight?

If losing weight is your goal, these 18 foods may help support a healthy weight loss journey, according to science. Whole eggs. ... Leafy greens....

Read More »