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No doubt, rice cookers are a must-have in the kitchen. They cook rice to perfection, with each grain separate from the other. But can you steam shrimp in a rice cooker?
Yes, you can steam shrimp in a rice cooker, and it will turn out beautifully. The trick is to add a little water to the rice cooker’s base and then switch the settings to steam. Next, cook the shrimp until they are pink or bright red.
Need to know more about how to steam your shrimp to perfection with your rice cooker? Don’t worry, we will show you.
An Easy Guide on How To Steam Shrimp in a Rice Cooker
Steamed shrimp pair well with various dishes – you can serve them with white wines, or dress them up with marinades and sauces. Whatever your pick is, you’d be excited to know that you can steam your shrimp with your rice cooker.
Here’s how you can go about it.
- Defrost your frozen shrimp and allow them to rest in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours before cooking.
- Next, clean up your shrimp i.e., remove the black line (intestine) at the center of the shrimp with a sharp knife.
- Pour a cup of clean water (about an inch high) into the bottom of the rice cooker. Alternatively, you can use an even mix of water and cider vinegar as the cooking liquid.
- Turn on the rice cooker and switch it to steam settings
- Leave the water to boil and then place the shrimp on top of the steamer and close the rice cooker. Be sure not to overfill the cooker with shrimp, else, they won’t steam evenly.
- Allow the shrimp to steam for at least six minutes (cooked shrimp are pinkish). Then, take out one shrimp and slice it in half from the center to check if it is well cooked.
- If the shrimp is fully cooked, take it out of the cooker and place it in a bowl of ice. The ice helps stop the steaming/cooking process, ensuring your shrimp don’t overcook.
- Finally, drain the shrimp and dry them off with paper towels. You can peel off the shells and serve your shrimp straight away or store them in an airtight container.
How Many Minutes Does It Take to Steam Shrimp in a Rice Cooker?
On average, steaming shrimp in a rice cooker takes 6 minutes. However, the time may be much longer for bigger shrimp. Chances are that your shrimp is cooked once it turns bright red or pink. Remember, smaller shrimp will steam faster than bigger shrimp.
If you want to eliminate the trial-and-error method of knowing if your shrimp is well-steamed, you should get a thermometer. Once the meat thermometer is at 180 C, your shrimp should be cooked.
Can You Steam Frozen Shrimp in a Rice Cooker?
Yes, you can steam your frozen shrimp in your rice cooker. Simply take out the shrimp from the freezer and toss it into the steamer basket (still frozen). Add an inch of water to the rice cooker and allow it to steam for about 6 minutes. Sprinkle seasonings to taste and serve.
Alternatively, you can place the shrimp in a colander and run water over it until it thaws (don’t worry, it only takes a few minutes). After that, transfer your shrimp into the rice cooker and steam.
Conclusion
Yes, you can steam shrimp in a rice cooker easily. All you need to do is ensure that the meat doesn’t overcook as overcooked shrimp can be quite chewy (not in a good way). We recommend getting a meat thermometer to ensure that your shrimp are steamed to perfection in your rice cooker.
