Are you looking to add some excitement to your dinner routine? Then it’s time to try this head on shrimp recipe! This flavorful dish features whole shrimp with their heads still intact are not only visually stunning but also bring a unique depth of flavor to your favorite meals.
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Head on shrimp, as the name implies, is shrimp that still have their heads attached. These shrimps are considered a delicacy in many cultures, and are often used in high-end restaurants to add an extra layer of flavor and presentation to dishes.
I never tried head on shrimp until I attended culinary school. It was a bit scary and uncomfortable at first, but once I tried it, it turned out to be a fun and adventurous experience. Not only do they look exquisite plated in a dish, they are just as, or maybe even more, delicious than peeled shrimp.
Recipes using head on shrimp are a unique and flavorful addition to any seafood dish, and are definitely worth a try for those looking to add some variety to their cooking repertoire.
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This post is all about the best Head On Shrimp Recipe.
Ingredients
- Head On shrimp or “Whole Shrimp”
- Garlic & Onions
- Unsalted Butter
- White Wine
- Lemon Juice
- Parmesan Cheese
Here are a few commonly Asked questions
how to clean head on shrimp
Because the shell is still on the shrimp and we want to keep it that way, deveining head on shrimp can seem intimidating at first. But with a little practice, it can be done quickly and easily.
- Grab a large bowl with ice and place the shrimp on top to stay cold.
- Bend the body of the shrimp and expose the small opening on the back between the head of the shrimp and the body.
- Here you can either snip the shell down the back and use a small paring knife to make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp from the head to the tail and remove the “vein” or use a shrimp deveining tool to pull out the “vein” without disturbing the shell.
- This vein is the shrimp’s digestive tract and can be gritty and unpleasant to eat. This my favorite shrimp deveining tool that I found on Amazon >>> Shrimp Deveining Tool
- Optional: clip the long antennas and trim the sharp points on the head to make it safer to handle while eating.
- Finally, rinse the cleaned head on shrimp under cold running water to remove any remaining debris or shell fragments.
how to cook head on shrimp
This recipe is simple. You cook head on shrimp the exact same way you would cook peeled shrimp.
how to eat head on shrimp
This is the best – and messiest – part of cooking head on shrimp. The difference between shrimp head on vs head off is that you should be eating it with your hands. I see it as part of the experience, like tacos or nachos. It is going to be difficult to try to peel and eat them with a fork.
- Grab a shrimp and suck out the delicious juices from the small opening in the back of the shrimp between the head and the body.
- Gently twist off the head and peel off the shell from the body like usual.
- And Enjoy!
If you are uncomfortable eating this way, I would recommend eating this in a more casual setting with guest or family that will not judge you for getting a little messy!
What to serve with head on shrimp
In this recipe, we will be serving the shrimp on a bed of garlic butter pasta. But here are a few other options:
- Rice – steamed white rice, herb jasmine rice, or veggie pilaf
- Roasted or Grilled Vegetables – asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers
- Garlic Bread – crusty baguette to soak up the juices
- Salad – mixed salad with a tangy vinaigrette or Caesar
Storing & Leftovers
Buying Fresh shrimp
If you purchased fresh head on shrimp, be sure to use them within 1-2 days for the best flavor and texture. If you need to store them longer, place them in a resealable plastic bag and keep them in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
Or freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator
Leftover Shrimp Pasta
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, be sure to do so gently over low heat to prevent the shrimp from overcooking and becoming tough. Also, enjoy the leftovers cold as a tasty pasta salad.
Tips and Tricks to making perfect head on shrimp
Buy it fresh: buy it fresh from your local grocery store and prepare it as soon as possible.
Devein the shrimp: the veining can be gritty and unpleasant to eat
Don’t overcook it: Shrimp can overcook very easily. Try to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Season Generously: Shrimp can be quite mild in flavor and will have a shell on, so you want to use plenty of seasoning to give them a boost of flavor.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Head On Shrimp Recipe.
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Head On Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
- Shrimp Deveining Tool
- Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghetti or linguine
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until it is al dente, drain off the water, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy pan, large enough for the shrimp to fit in one layer. When the oil is hot, Add shrimp. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink and the shells start to crisp up. Flip the shrimp and continue to cook on the other side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Add garlic and onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with white wine and broth, reduce for about 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced. Add lemon juice and butter. Stir until blended. Add parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
- Add cooked pasta with the sauce, tossing until everything is well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the pasta to a serving dish and evenly place the cooked shrimp on top of the pasta.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and leftover parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Buy it fresh: buy it fresh from your local grocery store and prepare it as soon as possible.
- Devein the shrimp: the veining can be gritty and unpleasant to eat
- Don’t overcook it: Shrimp can overcook very easily. Try to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Season Generously: Shrimp can be quite mild in flavor and will have a shell on, so you want to use plenty of seasoning to boost flavor.