How To Cook Shrimp With Vinegar Water

A pan of cooked shrimp.

Image Credit: Shaiith/iStock/Getty Images Adding vinegar to the water used to cook shrimp enhances flavor without adding the distinctive acidic taste of vinegar. You can typically add a small amount of vinegar to any recipe that requires you to boil shrimp in water. For recipes that require a different cooking method, such as sauteing, broiling or grilling, tossing the shrimp lightly with vinegar before cooking can provide similar results. In recipes that combine many ingredients, such as a cream-based pasta dish, you may lose the subtle flavor enhancement of vinegar.

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Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

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Step 2

Wash the shrimp before adding them to the boiling water. You can peel and devein the shrimp at this point, or wait until after you cook them.

Step 3

Add between 1 tsp. and 1 tbsp. of white or red wine vinegar to the pot of boiling water.

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Step 4

Dump shrimp into the pot.

Step 5

Cook until done, which should take about one minute after the water returns to a boil. The shrimp will be pink and white when cooked.

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Step 6

Drain the shrimp in a colander.

Step 7

Peel and devein shrimp if you did not do that before cooking.

Step 8

Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.

Things You'll Need

Large pot Colander

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A pan of cooked shrimp.

Image Credit: Shaiith/iStock/Getty Images

Large pot
Colander