Before preparing any shrimp dish, it is necessary to clean them and remove the intestinal tract to prevent its contents from getting onto your plate. For beginners, this process may seem complicated, but it is actually quite simple. Follow this guide to do it quickly and correctly.
Steps for Cleaning Shrimp
- Thaw the shrimp: Transfer the shrimp from the freezer to the refrigerator one day before cooking. This method will preserve their texture and flavor.
- Remove the shell. Grab the shell from the belly side and carefully peel it off.
If the shrimp are to be served whole, you can leave the tail or head for decoration. - Make an incision. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp.
- Remove the intestinal tract. Gently lift the intestinal tract with a toothpick or culinary tweezers. For convenience, you can rinse the shrimp under running water.
- Pat the shrimp dry. After cleaning, blot the shrimp with a paper towel and cook according to your recipe.
There are tips online for quickly cleaning shrimp, such as using a wooden stick. However, such methods are not always suitable, especially for delicate types of shrimp that can get deformed.
If you need to clean a small number of shrimp (up to 20-30 pieces), it is most reliable to do it by hand.
Other Methods and Hacks
- If you plan to cook shrimp in their shells, the intestinal tract can be removed by making an incision with kitchen scissors along the back of the shrimp. This will ensure the dish is clean while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the shrimp.
- Use special tools such as shrimp scissors or seafood forks. They make the process of removing the shell and intestinal tract easier.
- If you have a lot of shrimp, soak them in cold salted water for 10-15 minutes before cleaning. This helps the shells come off more easily.
