How to clean shrimp: clarify your doubts to master the preparation

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How many times have you eaten shrimp without even worrying if it had been cleaned? Be aware that you are not alone, as many people do not even know how to clean shrimp or even forget that it needs to be cleaned before consumption. So whatever the preparation, this deep-sea delight needs to have your gut removed, and it's done quite easily. So to better understand how this cleaning is done, check out this full article on how to clean shrimp.

How to clean shrimp

So let's go: to clean shrimp you don't have to be a master of culinary techniques, as the processes are very simple, so know them below.


Step by step

  1. To start, you must remove the shrimp's head by grasping the body and pulling it out;
  2. With that done, place your fingertips under the shell in the opening where the head was and run the finger to the end, removing all the shell and with it the paws of the shrimp;
  3. Thus, only the meat of the shrimp and the tail will be left, if you prefer to remove the tail, hold its tip and pull, similar to the process of removing the head;
  4. With a sharp knife, make an opening in the? Back? the shrimp from the outside, very light so as not to cut too much;
  5. Still with the knife, lightly separate the two sides of this opening for easy cleaning;
  6. Finally, you will see in this cut a thin dark line, this is the gut you should remove and for that use the tip of the knife to pull it out and remove the remaining traces with your fingers.

Nothing too complicated, right? Just a little patience and delicacy can help you taste delicious shrimp without worrying about the annoying little things.

Other ways to clean shrimp

And although this previous mode of cleaning is the most traditional, there are some doubts about cleaning with shrimp of different sizes or using different techniques. To better understand the other ways to clean shrimp, see the videos below.

1. Hygienization of medium-tailed shrimp


Read also: 31 Shrimp Risotto Recipes for a Warm Heart

And if you intend to clean the medium-sized shrimp and keep your tail for a more elegant presentation, this video is for you. In it, Nina shows at a glance how to remove the head, the shells and the paws of the shrimp, keeping the tail. This done, she cuts the back of the animal to remove the viscera and rinses the shrimps to clean thoroughly so that they can be consumed without worries.

2. Toothpaste Shrimp Cleaning


Leaving the shrimp almost intact, this unusual technique presented in the video is ideal for those who want to keep the shrimp format more accurate. For her, a toothpick is used, which works by piercing the animal's back and pulling the intestine out. This mode of cleaning can be used for those who appreciate the presentation of the dish, since with it the shrimp cuts are minimal.

3. How to clean giant shrimp

It may seem challenging to clean larger versions like the pink shrimp or pistol, but it has no secrets. In this step by step, Fellipe begins by cutting off the head of the giant shrimp, then pulling the paws and peeling them off. Then he makes a shallow cut on the top of the shrimp, which separates the meat into two parts and allows access to the intestine, which is what should be removed. Pretty easy right?

Also read: 10 Delicious and Amazing Shrimp Bobo Recipes

4. Cleaning and Peeling Shrimp

And for small prawns the way to clean is the same. You should tear your head off and use your fingers to peel off your paws and tail. The difference is that it is worth having a little more delicacy not to overdo the cuts of shrimp, since being smaller it can be very damaged.

5. How to facilitate vinegar cleaning

A really cool tip that makes shrimp cleaning faster is to use vinegar to peel off the shell. The trick is simple: just let the shrimp marinate a few minutes in vinegar until the peel comes off more easily. So just follow the common processes: remove the head, peel and paws, remove the offal from the animal, and the shrimp will be ready for use.

6. Shrimp cleaned with shell

Read also: Shrimp in moranga: Unravel the secrets of this sophisticated dish

There are also those who like to prepare shrimp in shell, as it can bring flavor to some dishes, especially in preparations that involve frying. And to keep it, you will have to remove your head and notice a dark spot on the top of the shrimp meat.This little point is the cavity where the intestine is, so just use the tip of the knife to pull it out, keeping the shell, paws and tail intact. Watch the video to understand and yet breaking know a recipe for fried shrimp.

Now it's easy to prepare this seafood as a true chef, right? You could see how clean shrimp is super simple, so skip this step when creating a beautiful dish with this delight!

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