Can You Really Cook Shrimp In The Microwave?
Shrimp are one of the more versatile seafood options out there, and they're also one of the more beginner-friendly to prepare at home. There are tons of ways to cook the tiny crustaceans: You can fry them, bake them, grill them, steam them, or sauté them, to name a few. But as with most seafood — or really, anything that you don't make or eat regularly — it can be intimidating trying to prepare shrimp properly, especially if you're an amateur home chef.
One of the easiest methods of cooking just about anything is microwaving it. But can you nuke shrimp? It sounds too good to be true — but it isn't. According to culinary experts, you absolutely can cook shrimp in the microwave as long as you follow a few key directions. Here's how to do it the right way, and have a delicious seafood dinner on the table in just minutes.
The microwave time depends on the size and number of shrimp
Microwaving shrimp is as easy as warming up just about anything else. You're essentially steaming the little crustaceans — Cook Any Day says you can simply place them in a shallow dish and cover them to cook. But how long you have to microwave the shrimp before they're fully cooked depends on the size and the quantity, as well as the power of your microwave. The larger the shrimp or the less powerful your microwave, the longer you'll need to cook them. Cook Any Day says that for a 700-watt microwave, for instance, you can cook 8 ounces of large shrimp in just four to five minutes.
One good strategy is to check the shrimp often to ensure you don't overcook them (preventing them from turning into dry, rubbery pieces). Food.com says that after three minutes, you should check the shrimp every 30 seconds until they're cooked to your liking. Note that the shrimp should be completely opaque when they're fully cooked.