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
Yes! All you have to do to reheat frozen cooked shrimp is press the “Pressure Cook” button or “Manual” button and set the time to ZERO. If you are using frozen raw shrimp, add 1 minute on HIGH pressure.
When you steam shrimp, it is much more tender as opposed to boiled shrimp. I prefer this over boiled shrimp, personally.
Press the “steam” button and set the timer for 5 minutes.
The Instant Pot! If you don’t have one, a medium saucepan can work. All you have to do is, bring to boil on medium heat. Gently stir in shrimp then cover. Steam for 2 to 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.
Set the oven to 450F, and when it’s preheated, place shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and desired spices and cook for 5 minutes. Stir the shrimp and cook for additional time, as needed, until they’re cooked through! Try my sheet pan Hawaiian shrimp dish if you are looking to spice it up!!
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

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A quick & easy recipe for perfectly cooked shrimp in the Instant Pot. Use raw or frozen shrimp, and even cook with the shell for shrimp cocktail!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4–6 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1–2 pounds of shrimp
- Lemon juice, lime juice, and/or Old Bay Seasoning, if desired (optional)
Instructions
- Pour water into the Instant Pot. Place the shrimp in a steaming basket, place the steaming basket in the Instant Pot. Place a glass lid on top and press the “steam” function. If your Instant Pot automatically turns on the “keep warm” function, press the button to turn it off.
- Set the kitchen timer for 5 minutes and let the shrimp steam, undisturbed.
- 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.)
- Serve immediately or keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cooked shrimp can also be frozen for 3-6 months if wrapped well.
Notes
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.
Nutrition
- Calories: 90
Keywords: shrimp instant pot
I wasn’t aware you could use the glass lid with the steam function! I thought only slow cook, sauté & yogurt were the only programs you could use the glass lid for! Good to know!
You can use the glass lid for anything that does not require pressurization.
I used your foil idea and spritzed lime juice n paprika on the shrimp! They were AMAZING!!! Wish I could leave a pic coz they are beautiful!
★★★★★
This sounds super easy but I don’t have a steamer basket. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Melissa! It hasn’t been tested by us, but maybe you could make a foil bowl to put the shrimp in, and place it on the wire trivet inside (a trivet comes with most Instant Pots). I do this with meatloaf in the IP, and it works great. Let us know how it comes out if you try it. 🙂
Why can’t you use the instant pot lid with this? I use the instant pot lid with anything else I steam…
It is a suggestion in order to create the best flavor and texture. Some people like the Instant Pot lids, but it will steam better with a glass one, since the Instant Pot lid is for pressure cooking in most cases.
I appreciate it, thank you!
I signed up to recieve your downloads and I’m not getting any.
Hi Alaine! If you send me an email at tiffany(at)dontwastethecrumbs(dot)com, we’ll get you squared away!