How to Tell When Shrimp Is Done (the C and O Rule)
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C. A tight O means overcooked and rubbery.
Shrimp cook in two to four minutes, so the difference between tender and rubbery is about a minute. Luckily they tell you when they are ready by changing shape and color.
Raw shrimp are grey and translucent and lie almost straight. As they cook, the flesh turns pink and opaque and the shrimp curls. A loose C shape means perfectly cooked. Once it tightens into an O, with the tail touching the head end, it has gone too far.
How to do it
Pat dry and season
Dry shrimp sear; wet shrimp steam. Season just before cooking.
Use high heat
A hot pan cooks shrimp fast enough to color them before they overcook.
Watch the shape
Flip when the underside turns pink, then pull them as soon as they form a loose C.
Take them off early
Shrimp keep cooking in a hot pan or sauce, so remove them a moment before you think they are done.
Common mistakes
- Cooking until shrimp curl into a tight O.
- Leaving shrimp in a hot pan or simmering sauce after they are cooked.
- Reheating pre-cooked shrimp in a recipe, which almost always overcooks them.
