Instant Pot Steamed Shrimp

 Learn how to cook shrimp perfectly every time, from raw or frozen, using the Instant Pot! Faster than an oven & you can cook with the shell for a shrimp cocktail or make shrimp creole!

There’s something fun and refreshing about shrimp, don’t you think?

The only problem, though, is how to cook shrimp! There’s a fine line between perfectly juicy and tender shrimp (delicious!) and tough and chewy shrimp (gross!).

Let me show you my favorite method for cooking shrimp – the Instant Pot!

You only need 3 tools to make this work:

• An Instant Pot.
• A steaming basket.
• A glass lid.

The Ingredients You Need

• Water.
• Shrimp.

If you have these 5 items, you’re all set for this Instant Pot shrimp recipe.

Note On The Ingredients

If you’d like to add some flavor, add lemon juice, lime juice, and/or Old Bay Seasoning on top of the shrimp before or after cooking. Homemade blackened seasoning would be really good too!

Psst! Want to kick this up a notch? Try finishing this recipe with a pinch of finishing salt! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a bag for just 1¢!! Mix in with your homemade seasoning or add a dash to the top of your shrimp before serving!
(Get your penny bag of salt on this page.) 

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1. Add water to the Instant Pot.

Step 2. Put the shrimp in the steaming basket accessory, and place the basket in the Instant Pot. Put a glass lid on top.

Note: You can either buy the official Instant Pot glass lid, or you can check to see if one of the glass lids from your cookware set works. The glass lid from my 5 quart pot fits my Instant Pot perfectly!

Step 3. Press the “steam” function and set the timer for 5 minutes.

Step 4. When the timer goes off, check the shrimp. If your shrimp are small or medium, they may be done. The shrimp is considered done when they are pink and slightly curled. They do NOT need to be fully curled in order to be considered done. (In fact, if they’re fully curled they’re likely over-done.)

Step 5. If you’re cooking large shrimp, you will need to stir the shrimp and add an additional 4-5 minutes to the timer. Check the shrimp at 4 minutes and add 1-2 minutes, if needed.

Step 6. Serve immediately or keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cooked shrimp can also be frozen for 3-6 months if wrapped well.

Recipe Tips

The cook time for shrimp will depend greatly on the size of your shrimp. I’ve written this recipe for large shrimp (approx 16-20 per pound) because that’s what I usually buy. For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes and watch the shrimp to prevent overcooking. Make note of the total cook time for the size shrimp you bought so you can set the timer correctly the next time.

Note: If you don’t have access to these stores OR your local stores don’t carry high-quality seafood, I recommend Butcher Box. You can read my honest review of their products here!

Ways To Jazz Up Flavor

• Add lemon slices or lime slices to the water.
• Add lemon juice or lime juice to the water.
• Marinade shrimp in lemon or lime juice + garlic powder + salt + pepper for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
• Sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning on the shrimp before cooking.
• Add minced garlic to the water

FAQS

To Serve

Here are some of my favorite (quick and easy!) recipes you can add your shrimp to:

• Greek quinoa salad
• Crunchy vegetable quinoa salad
• Vegetable fried rice
• Easy fettuccine alfredo
• Protein topping for rice and beans night
• Tacos with mango salsa tucked inside homemade flour tortillas
• Dipped in Thai peanut dressing

More Seafood Recipes

• Shrimp Creole
• Sheet Pan Hawaiian Shrimp
• Homemade Fish Sticks (Freezer Friendly)
• Blackened Salmon