Shrimp is a favorite ingredient for many households thanks to its sweetness, rich nutrition, and versatility. Among the countless shrimp dishes, boiled shrimp is one of the simplest and most popular because it’s fast, easy, and preserves the shrimp’s natural flavor.

However, many people find that their boiled shrimp still tastes slightly fishy, lacks sweetness, or becomes soft and mushy. According to professional chefs, the main reason is quite simple: you’re boiling shrimp in plain water without the right seasonings.

Just a few extra aromatic ingredients can transform your bowl of boiled shrimp—making the shrimp firm, vibrant red, and incredibly fragrant.

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Essential Spices for Perfect Boiled Shrimp

If your boiled shrimp smells fishy or tastes bland, it’s likely because you skipped two crucial ingredients: ginger and salt. To elevate the flavor even further, chefs also recommend adding peppercorns and a splash of white wine.

These ingredients not only eliminate the fishy smell but also enhance the natural sweetness of shrimp, giving it a restaurant-quality flavor.

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How to Boil Shrimp Properly

1. Fill a pot with just enough water to cover the shrimp.

2. Add sliced ginger, a pinch of salt, and whole peppercorns.

3. Bring the water to a gentle boil.

4. Add the shrimp, then pour in a small amount of white wine.

5. Boil for about 2 minutes, or until the shrimp curl evenly into a “C” shape—this is the sign that they are perfectly cooked.

6. Immediately remove the shrimp.

7. (Optional) Place them into a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes to make the meat firmer and bouncier.

This combination of spices helps neutralize the seafood smell, brings out a pleasant aroma, and enhances the sweetness and firmness of the shrimp.

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Tips for Choosing Fresh Shrimp

To make the perfect boiled shrimp, choosing good shrimp is the most important step.

✔ Check the shell color

Fresh sea shrimp usually have a greenish-white or pale yellow shell. The shell should look shiny, bright, and slightly translucent.

✔ Inspect the head and body connection

The head must be firmly attached to the body. If the joint looks blackened or loose, the shrimp is no longer fresh.

✔ Smell the shrimp

Fresh shrimp have a natural briny scent. Frozen shrimp should smell clean with no off or sour odors.

✔ If buying frozen shrimp

Some frozen shrimp are curled, some are straight. Choose the ones that are curled—these were usually frozen while still alive, ensuring better texture.

Press the body gently: fresh-frozen shrimp should feel firm and springy.

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Boiling Shrimp the Right Way

• Trim the whiskers and rinse the shrimp, but do not devein them. Deveining before boiling will cause the shrimp to lose sweetness and become drier.

• Use only a small amount of water—shrimp naturally release liquid as they cook, so too much water will dilute the flavor.

• Cook over high heat, but do not let the water boil violently. When small bubbles appear at the bottom, add the shrimp.

• Shrimp cooks very quickly. As soon as they turn bright red, remove them immediately. Overcooking will make them tough and reduce nutritional value.

• If using frozen supermarket shrimp, thaw them at room temperature, then boil them with scallions, ginger, wine, and salt for deeper flavor.

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How to Make a Delicious Dipping Sauce for Boiled Shrimp

The simplest dipping sauce is a classic: salt, pepper, and lime.

But if you want a more impressive, restaurant-style option, try the popular green chili–lime seafood dipping sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp salt

• 4 tbsp sugar

• 4 tbsp calamansi or lime juice

• 4 tbsp condensed milk

• A few mustard greens, chopped

• ½ green bell pepper, chopped

• Green bird’s-eye chilies

• Kaffir lime leaves

Instructions:

Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Add the lime leaves last to avoid bitterness.

This sauce can be stored in the fridge and used with any seafood dish—extremely convenient, refreshing, and addictive.