How to Peel Shrimp
Updated Aug 14, 2025
Two easy ways to peel shrimp: by hand or with kitchen shears. As well as how to easily devein shrimp.
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Learn How to Peel and Devein Shrimp the Easy Way!
I’ll walk you through the steps of how to peel shrimp both with your hands and with kitchen shears. It’s a handy technique that’s easier than you might think and saves both time and effort in the kitchen.
The method you choose to peel shrimp should depend on personal preference and what tools you have available. Some people find it quicker to peel shrimp with their hands, while others prefer the precision of kitchen shears. Plus, I’ll show you how to devein the shrimp, an important step to ensure they are clean and ready to cook.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Ingredients
- Raw shrimp with shell-on: Grab a bag of frozen shrimp from the supermarket and let it thaw first. Or, use fresh unpeeled shrimp. You can use this method to peel shrimp of any size in any quantity.
Video Tutorial
How to Peel Shrimp – Two Ways
Peel Shrimp with your Hands
Peel Shrimp with Kitchen Shears
How to Devein Shrimp
How to Peel Shrimp
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound Raw shrimp with shell on any size
Instructions
- Peel the shrimp with your hands: Use your thumbs to crack the shrimp shell and then peel it away from the shrimp and discard.
- Peel the shrimp with kitchen shears: Alternatively, use kitchen shears to carefully make a cut at the top of the shrimp along its length until you reach the tail. Peel the shell away from the shrimp and discard.
- You can keep the tail on for cooking, or if you prefer to remove it, pinch the tail at the end of the shrimp body where it starts to feel hollow and gently pull to separate the tail from the rest of the shrimp.
- Use a sharp paring knife or your fingers to make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp, being careful not to cut too deeply.
- Use the tip of the knife or your fingers to pull out the vein (it will look like a long black and gritty string), which runs along the back of the shrimp.
- Rinse the shrimp under cold running water to remove any remaining debris. Then use as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Tutorial Tips
- Start with chilled shrimp. Place the shrimp in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before peeling. This slight chill makes the shells firmer and easier to handle.
- Keep a bowl of water close by. Having a bowl of cold water nearby to rinse your hands keeps your hands clean and free from sticky shrimp shells or other residue.
- Have everything you need in reach. Peeling and deveining shrimp is not hard, but it an be messy. Make sure you have everything you need close by. This includes a bowl for discarded shells, paper towels for gripping shells if needed, kitchen shears, bowl of cold water for rinsing hands, a small knife, and a designated space for peeling.
- Keep the tails on. Leaving the tail on the shrimp prevents them from drying out during cooking. This is especially helpful when cooking shrimp in dry heat methods such as grilling.
Recipes to Make with Peeled Shrimp
- Easy Shrimp Tacos
- BBQ Grilled Shrimp
- Lemony Garlic Shrimp
- Mediterranean Couscous with Shrimp
- Easy Shrimp Fajitas
- Shrimp Scampi with Spaghetti Squash
FAQs
The vein in shrimp is edible but is not great to look at (some people refer to it as the “poop”) and has a gritty texture. I think most people will appreciate the extra effort in deveined shrimp.
The decision to peel shrimp before or after cooking often comes down to the recipe you’re using and personal preference. Both methods have their advantages:
Peeling Before Cooking:
Flavor Absorption: Peeled shrimp can absorb marinades and seasonings more effectively, enhancing their flavor.
Ease of Eating: For dishes where shrimp is mixed with other ingredients, like pasta or salad, peeling beforehand makes it easier to eat.
Texture: Direct exposure to heat can result in a slightly different texture, often preferred in certain recipes.
Peeling After Cooking:
Flavor Preservation: Cooking shrimp in their shells can help preserve the shrimp’s natural flavor and juiciness.
Easier Peeling: Some find that the shells come off more easily after cooking, as the flesh tends to shrink away from the shell.
Presentation: For visual appeal, especially in dishes like shrimp cocktail, leaving the shell on during cooking can make for a more attractive presentation.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific requirements of the dish you’re preparing and your own preferences regarding flavor, texture, and convenience.
Yes, you can save the shrimp shells to make a delicious shrimp stock. Consider simmering them with aromatics like onion and garlic to make seafood broth for soups.
