How to Peel and Devein Raw Shrimp

Shrimp needs to be peeled and deveined in its raw form for many recipes. Here's a quick and easy primer for the uninitiated.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shrimp
• Small sharp knife

1. 
    

   Grasp the shrimp by the shell with one hand and use the other to remove all the legs from the bottom of the shrimp. Use your thumb and index finger to grasp them all and pull them off all at once.

2. Stick your thumb under the shell and peel it off. Try to grasp as much of the shell as possible and get it off in one motion. It can be helpful to put the shrimp under cold running water as you do this.

3. 
    

   Hold the shrimp in one hand and make a cut all along the back of the shrimp with a small knife to expose the 'vein', which is the gastrointestinal tract of the shrimp. Holding the shrimp under the water, pull the vein out.

4. Pull off the tail and your shrimp is ready to go. Repeat. Get rid of the shells after peeling, they will really smell after a while.

Tips & Warnings

• Some recipes actually want the tail left on for presentation. If so, skip that step
• Some folks are mildly allergic to seafood on the skin and it causes itching. A couple of splashes of lemon juice on the hands followed by a thorough washing may relieve the itching

Resources

• Cajun Jambalaya
• Cookbooks

[annvans]

on 11/21/2009 Great article!

[landsharkphx]

on 10/20/2009 Good article! A skill worth learning; the running water helps flush the vein out.