Fastest Shrimp Peeler this side of the Mississippi
How to peel shrimp like a pro
Everyone wants to master a task with speed and efficiency (and earn a little bragging rights in the process). When it comes to peeling shrimp, the faster the peel the better (and the sooner you can enjoy those sweet sweet shrimp). That’s why we put every peeling technique (that we could find on the internet) to the test.
Here are the results on how best to peel shrimp quickly and easily……
Just these Fingers (video here)
Tools: This technique requires a few digits and a pairing knife.
Pros: Accuracy is key with this technique, by using your hands you can feel the shell and maintain uniformity. Using a pairing knife to remove the vein (running along the back of the shrimp) is the classic method, taught in many-a-culinary schools.
Cons: This is probably the messiest way to clean and peel shrimp. And, this technique takes some time to accomplish.
Our Best Time: 12.5 SPS (seconds per shrimp)
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Scissor Method (video here)
Tools: This technique uses scissors as well as a pairing knife.
Pros: Not as messy as the hand peeling method and cuts through shells like butter (as long as you have a sharp pair of scissors). This was a pretty fast peeling method and one of our favorites.
Cons: You do run the risk of potentially cutting into the shrimp itself (vs. just cutting away the shell). And you do end up with double the dishes (although, two really isn’t all that much).
Our Best Time: 8 SPS
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Fork Method (video here)
Tools: First things first, this guy’s accent is perfection! For this technique, all you need is a fork.
Pros: This was our fastest peel by a long shot! And, by being able to remove the shell and vein all in one go, clean up is a cinch.
Cons: If you’re looking for a tail-on shrimp, this method is not going to work. It’s also a little bit on the messy side, we recommend keeping a paper towel or two handy.
Our Best Time: 6 seconds!!!
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Look Ma No Hands…The Fork and Spoon Method (video here)
Tools: (These videos are just getting better and better! The sounds effects slay me.) All you need is a spoon and a fork.
Pros: The cleanest shrimp peel technique EVER! If you’re not one for getting your hands dirty, this is the method for you! We also tried this technique with raw shrimp and it does work for both! We would just recommend that you put down a towel to keep the shrimp from slipping and sliding.
Cons: Now, our goal was to find the fastest shrimp peeling method…and this one just does not cut it. Clean, yes. Quick, not even close.
Our Best Time: 30 SPS
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️
Using a Shrimp Peeler (video here)
Tools: You’ll need to procure a shrimp peeler.
Pros: It does accomplish what it is designed for, you will have peeled shrimp. (Can you tell we’re not the biggest fan?)
Cons: Where to begin… First, the cost. This particular peeler can cost anywhere from $20-$28* not including shipping and handling. Now, there are other peelers out there that are cheaper…Still, after all of our testing, these ‘tools’ are not as fast as some of the other techniques using goods you have at home. Meh.
Our Best Time: 10 SPS.
Rating: ⭐️
Our Shrimp Peeling Take-aways
It’s just about a dead heat tie between the Scissor Method and the Fork Method. Both accomplished the goal of quickly peeled shrimp, all while utilizing tools you already have handy.
While one is much faster than the other (Fork by a nose), we thought that by having the tail in-tact was a bonus (thank you Scissors). Hence the tie, we just couldn’t decide. Either way, this was a fun activity and netted us plenty of peeled shrimp!
Do you have a method, some shrimp peeling family technique, that wasn’t explored here? Let us know, my husband and I would gladly do this again, and pin your peel up against our favorites.
Want to help us break the tie? Weigh in! Scissors v. Fork for the peeler battle belt. Team Fork or Team Scissor… ? Tag us @cameronsseafoodonline. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter.
Buy Shrimp Online
You can buy shrimp from our online store. All of Cameron’s Seafood shrimp are of the highest quality you can buy and are shipped directly to your door. Peel with pride!
For those that can not stand peeling shrimp, there are a few of you out there and I give you all the respect for reading all the way to the end of this article…you are fantastic people, and, as your reward,…we have already peeled shrimp too.
About the author
Patterson Watkins is a professional chef with over 17 years of experience. With a robust career in restaurants, contract dining and catering (including 4 Summer Olympic posts preparing food for the athletes!) Patterson joined the Cameron’s Seafood team at the end of 2018 to concoct some delicious recipes with our premium seafood items as the centerpiece.
