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    Home » Cooking & Entertaining Essentials

    Published: Apr 11, 2023 by Pam

    How to Devein Shrimp (and Peel) Quickly!

    Thanks for sharing!

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    Pinterest image of devein shrimp quickly.

    This method will revolutionize the way you devein shrimp. They can be left with the tails on, shells on, both or neither.

    shrimp deveined but with shells and tails on, tails on, fully cleaned.

    Whether your recipe calls for shrimp with the tails on, shells on, or completely shelled and deveined, this hack works great. In fact, you’ll probably ask yourself why you didn’t think of it.

    The best tool to devein shrimp and peel them

    Are you ready for this? It’s not some fancy utensil designed just for this one application. In fact, it’s a simple item you probably already have in the drawer or knife block in your kitchen.

    But, no, it’s also not just a paring knife. We’ve tried over the years cleaning our shrimp with a small knife and didn’t find it particularly easy or even safe. One slip and you’ve got a badly cut finger instead of a clean shrimp.

    Okay, we’ve kept you in suspense long enough. The very best tool is a good quality pair of kitchen shears or scissors.

    kitchen shears and raw shrimp on cutting board.

    Why you should devein shrimp

    The dark vein down the back of the shrimp is not actually a vein at all. It’s the intestinal tract and the dark line is the waste. Okay, we’ll say it. It’s shrimp poop.

    It won’t actually hurt you if the shrimp has been cooked, but it can be gritty and let’s get real, y’all. Nobody wants to eat intestinal waste.

    The bottom “vein”

    This one is lighter and is actually a blood vessel. Once cooked you most likely won’t be able to even see it. There is absolutely no harm in leaving this one.

    The steps for cleaning shrimp

    You’ll start with raw, fresh shrimp that already has the heads off like these.

    raw shrimp on board.

    Begin cutting

    1. Start the cut down the back of the shrimp. You’ll cut just deeply enough to reach the vein.

      start cut with shears on back of shrimp.

    2. Continue cutting down the back until you reach the tail.

      cutting down the back of the shrimp with shears to the tail.

    3. At this point you can open the cut and see the vein.

      opening back of shrimp to reveal vein.

    4. Rinse vein out under running water if the recipe calls for the shrimp shells to be left on.

      shears holding shrimp open under running water.

    5. Peel and then rinse if you want shells off for your recipe.

      peeling shrimp.

    6. The tails can be left on.

      raw peeled shrimp with tails on.

    7. The tails can be removed by gently pulling.

      raw shrimp completely deveined and peeled.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on an affiliate link and buy something, we may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    The kitchen shears

    A pair of good kitchen shears (or kitchen scissors) is essential to this shrimp cleaning hack. If you don’t have some in your kitchen you can order here from Amazon. These have all been rated 4 stars or above.

    Check prices on Amazon now

    When would I want shrimp that is deveined and still has the shells on?

    cooked shrimp deveined but with shells on.
    • Anytime you serve “peel and eat” or boiled shrimp. For example, if you’re offering an alternative to oysters when you plan an oyster roast.
    • Most any recipe where the shrimp is baked in the oven will benefit from the shells being left on. It keeps the shrimp moist, flavorful and makes them easier to not overcook. Fiery Cajun Shrimp is a perfect example.

    Using shrimp that is deveined and peeled but with tails on

    cooked shrimp that is peeled and deveined but with tails on.

    The first benefit of using shrimp this way is that they have a little “handle”. You can use the tail to pick the shrimp up and eat with your fingers.

    Examples of recipes:

    • Buffalo Shrimp
    • Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
    • Southern Style Fried Shrimp
    • Grilled Shrimp Skewers
    • Shrimp with Sofrito Sauce

    Recipes for shrimp that are deveined, peeled and tails off

    completely deveined and peeled shrimp.

    Most shrimp recipes will fall in this category. In some cases the shrimp are cooked first, like in the case of salads or tacos.

    In some cases you will clean the shrimp and then cook them along with the rest of the recipe. Examples follow:

    • Shrimp and Grits
    • Easy Shrimp Etouffee
    • The Ultimately Perfect Jambalaya Recipe
    • Shrimp and Cucumber Salad
    • Barbecue Shrimp Salad with Vidalia Onions
    • Gumbo (Family Recipe)

    Categories: Cooking & Entertaining Essentials

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aunt Susan says

      April 15, 2023 at 7:21 am

      Who knew? Seems even easier than that specialty tool.. I am definitely going to try this. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        April 15, 2023 at 8:53 am

        It is! And especially if you want veins out/shells on.

        Reply
    2. Kathleen says

      April 21, 2023 at 12:06 pm

      Really appreciate your quick, easy step-by-step directions. Will bookmark for future reference.

      Reply
    3. Shelby says

      April 21, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      This is one of my least favorite tasks but your instructions are so clear and simple to follow. Turns out perfect shrimp every time!

      Reply
    4. Kushigalu says

      April 21, 2023 at 12:46 pm

      Useful post and tips here on how to peel shrimp quickly. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Beth says

      April 21, 2023 at 12:49 pm

      OMG, this is such a huge help! I have to be honest, when I make shrimp, I usually leave the vein in because it’s such a pain in the butt. I think you for this, but more importantly, my family thanks you. LOL

      Reply
    6. dana says

      April 21, 2023 at 1:27 pm

      Very useful tips here! And important step to not skip when cooking fresh shrimp, that’s for sure. Haha.

      Reply

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