Ninja Foodi steamed shrimp is quick to make and great to serve as a healthy protein with your favorite sides! Learn the easy steps to perfectly steam shrimp every time (from fresh or frozen!) with this no-fail recipe.
Plump, tender and tasty shrimp are sure to elevate nearly any meal. This healthy seafood is fantastic to include in everything from appetizers and snacks to main and side dishes!
Steaming shrimp is one of the best methods to ensure they cook just right and hold in as much flavor as possible. And your Ninja Foodi is the key to perfectly steam shrimp in just minutes, with minimal effort!
Make this Ninja Foodi recipe with just 3 quick steps in under 20 minutes, start to finish. It is easy to prepare with only two ingredients: water and your choice of fresh or frozen shrimp. That is it!
What can you season Ninja Foodi steamed shrimp with
Old Bay steamed shrimp is a classic recipe for spring and summer! This vibrant seasoning blend adds amazing flavor without being too spicy. A quarter cup of Old Bay is just right to cook two pounds of shrimp.
Want a bit of spiciness? Use your favorite Cajun seasoning! Or simply toss the shrimp with a generous pinch of cayenne or black pepper for a great kick.
Pro Tip: Season the fresh or frozen shrimp before steaming.
Is it better to steam or boil shrimp
Boiling shrimp - or boiling anything in water, really - will release the flavors of the meat into the water. Similar to when you prepare a stock or broth, ingredients that boil wind up making the water yummy and that is about it. The process of boiling is also pretty rough, and all of that bubbling around tends to result in shrimp that is texturally not as buttery and tender.
However, when you steam shrimp in a Ninja Foodi the flavor gets locked into the meat. So this really is the best method to get all of that delicious shrimp-y taste you love.
Can I make it in instant pot
No Ninja Foodi? No problem! Yes, this Ninja Foodi steam shrimp recipe also works well in the Instant Pot. Simply follow the same steps and cook times for fresh or frozen shrimp.
Ways to use steamed shrimp
Honestly, they are so tasty that no one will complain if you serve the shrimp plain as-is. (Include a ramekin of cocktail sauce on the side for a real crowd pleaser!)
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BUT that being said, there are nearly limitless other scrumptious dishes that you can enjoy with shrimp as the star! This recipe is a fabulous start to make shrimp tacos, summery green salads, refreshing pasta salads, and so much more.
Frequently asked questions
Large and extra large shrimp (also known as jumbo shrimp) are the best for steaming. Any smaller and they are more likely to overcook.
That is entirely up to you! Cook time is the same regardless of whether the shell is left on or taken off the shrimp before you steam them.
The Ninja Foodie steams fresh shrimp in only 7 minutes. You close but do not seal the pressure valve, so it is left to vent... Therefore the appliance does not need to pressurize and actual cook time is super fast.
Yes, you absolutely can! Simply increase the cook time to a full 15 minutes for frozen shrimp. Again, there is no need to seal the pressure valve.
Shrimp will turn from pale and transparent to pink and opaque when fully cooked. The texture also becomes more firm and tender.
Keep in mind that you want the shrimp to make a "C" shape and not be a full "O"... Remember, "O" stands for "overcooked!"
Shrimp is quite a healthy food. Whether fresh or frozen, they have lots of protein yet are low in calories, fat, and carbs.
Recipe notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp. When overcooked it become chewy and dry.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Serve shrimp as an appetizer or main dish with some sides.
- Top steamed shrimp with chopped green onions. It will add nice color and a great crunch to the dish.
Side dish suggestions
If serving shrimp as an appetizer, try to make a simple cocktail sauce by mixing ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. So delicious and great for parties.
Cilantro lime rice goes so well with shrimp as well, cook the rice while you are waiting for the shrimp to cook. Or make any kind of potato dish, any seafood is delicious with potatoes.
Leftovers
Store ninja foodi steamed shrimp in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or you can use a bowl covered tightly with foil for storage. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer. You can also reheat the shrimp in ninja foodi, using the air fryer basket.
More Ninja Foodi recipes:
- Ninja Foodi carne asada
- Ninja Foodi pot roast
- Ninja Foodi mashed potatoes
- Ninja Foodi frozen turkey breast
- Ninja Foodi turkey tenderloin
- Ninja Foodi whole frozen chicken
- Easy Ninja Foodi beets
- Ninja foodi green beans
- Ninja foodi red potato salad
Hope you will like this Ninja Foodi steamed shrimp recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Ninja Foodi Steamed Shrimp
Ninja Foodi steamed shrimp is quick to make and great to serve as a healthy protein with your favorite sides! Learn the easy steps to perfectly steam shrimp every time (from fresh or frozen!) with this no-fail recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 lb frozen shrimp
Instructions
- Pour water in the Ninja Foodi inner pot. Place a trivet.
- Add shrimp to the trivet and close the lid ( do not seal, leave it on VENT)
- Press the STEAM button and set for 15 minutes for a frozen shrimp. If cooking from fresh steam for 7 minutes.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Serve shrimp as an appetizer or main dish with some sides.
- Top steamed shrimp with chopped green onions. It will bring nice color and a great crunch to the dish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 270Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 479mgSodium: 2150mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 52g
James
So, growing g up in Baltimore... this recipe is blaaaaand. One to two beers. We used Natty Bo or Pabst as a kid. Any beer would do. Put some old bay down in the water and add I dunno, an 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar. Thats it. Then layer the shrimp and add old bay as you layer. Then steam and enjoy. Also, ketchup, a few drops of Worcheshire sauce, a few drops of lemon juice, and some really strong horseradish sauce. Make it as spicy as you want.
Tatiana
Thank you for your comment! This is just the basic recipe to teach how to steam shrimp in Ninja Foodi properly. I have some seasoning recommendations in the post but your suggestions are amazing. Thank you so much for your time!
Chris Ann
Question!!! Can I put some lemon slices in while steaming the shrimp? My recipe calls to boil the shrimp with old bay and lemon slices. I want To use my Ninja Foodi for this ! Thank you !!
Tatiana
of course! this is just a very basic recipe and you can add anything you want to it