Shrimp steamed with Old Bay Seasoning has been a long-time favorite seafood of mine – it’s quick, easy, and delicious! Serve this Old Bay Steamed Shrimp as an appetizer or as a meal with a salad.
Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
This easy recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes – even in less time if you prefer not to devein your shrimp! Serve with melted butter and cocktail sauce for one of the easiest appetizers or quick meals you’ll ever make.
Steamed Shrimp Ingredients
- Shrimp – You’ll need one pound of large shrimp (shells on).
- Old Bay Seasoning – Increase or decrease the amount depending upon your personal preference. You can substitute with cajun seasoning, but there’s just something about the flavor of Old Bay that I love!
- Water – Make sure the water in the pot is not touching the bottom of your steamer basket before boiling.
- Lemon wedges are totally optional, but I love fresh squeezed lemon over steamed shrimp!
How to Steam Shrimp
- Bring water to a boil. Pour water in a large pot, being careful not to pour too much – you don’t want the bottom of the steamer basket touching the water.
- Place the shrimp in your steamer basket and sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning.
- Carefully place the basket in the pot and cover. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil.
- Steam shrimp for 4 to 6 minutes (this will depend upon the size of your shrimp. I toss the shrimp around (using tongs) so that they’ll evenly steam after about 2 minutes. Shrimp are done when they have just turned pink and are opaque.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make a makeshift steamer basket with a stainless mesh strainer (or colander) placed into a pot.
It should take four to six minutes – toss the shrimp after a couple of minutes to ensure that every shrimp cooks evenly (the ones on the bottom will cook first). Steam until shrimp have just turned pink and are opaque.
This is totally your personal preference, but deveining isn’t a requirement. If you prefer yours deveined, it’s very simple to do. Cut the shell along the back of the shrimp using a pair of kitchen scissors. Remove the vein and rinse under cold water.
Enjoy!
More Seafood Recipes with Old Bay
Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
Ingredients
- Water
- 1 pound large shrimp (shell-on) deveined, if desired
- 2 ½ teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning more or less, to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Pour water in a large pot. Ensure the water will not touch the bottom of the steamer basket, even when boiling, if possible. Bring water to a boil over high heat.
- While water is coming to a boil, place the shrimp in your steamer basket. Sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning and toss to coat as evenly as possible.
- Carefully place the steamer basket in the pot and cover. Reduce heat to medium, or enough to maintain a gentle boil.
- Steam for 4 to 6 minutes (will depend upon the size of your shrimp). Remove lid after 2 to 3 minutes and toss shrimp (using tongs). Cover with lid and continue to steam until shrimp have just turned pink and are opaque.
- Sprinkle with parsley when serving, if desired. Serve warm or chilled with lemon wedges, melted butter and/or cocktail sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Once shrimp have cooled, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Nutrition facts do not include butter or cocktail sauce.
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
Absolutely delicious!
I have a 6qt. Steamer pot that I steam my shrimp in. It will hold 2 2-1/2 lbs. of shrimp. Only difference in my recipe is I use 50-50 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar with about a tablespoon of Old Bay in the liquid. Toss the shrimp in Old Bay too.
I also use it for steaming veggies too. Plain water with garlic salt on Broccoli and Cauliflower….
Yummy! My favorite way to eat shrimp with shells still on!
Thank you Arthur, mine too!