How To Sear Shrimp

There are a number of truly delicious ways to cook shrimp, but searing them in a hot pan is one of the quickest and easiest ways. If you're short on time and ingredients, here's a technique that uses only oil, salt, and pepper and takes just a matter of minutes.

Start by patting your peeled and deveined shrimp dry with a paper towel. Then, season the shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper.

Next, heat cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. You want the pan — and the oil — to be hot when you add the shrimp, otherwise you won't get a good sear on the shellfish. You will know that the oil is ready when it starts to shimmer.

Then, place the shrimp in the pan, leaving some space between each. Don't overcrowd the pan or the temperature of your oil will drop and you won't get a proper sear.

Cook the shrimp just until it starts to become pink around the edges and it no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan. Then, flip the shrimp and continue cooking just until it's cooked through.

Julie Ruggirello is The Daily Meal's Recipe Editor. Follow her on Twitter @TDMRecipeEditor.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.