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Fresh raw red prawns displayed on ice
Different
shrimp.
Better meals.
KNOW
SHRIMP
COOK
BETTER
SHRIMP GUIDE

Five kinds of shrimp
that actually cook
differently.

Start with broad types, not species trivia. Learn what changes flavor, texture, and cooking behavior.

Compare shrimp types →Browse all species →

FIVE RAW SHRIMP TYPES

Same family. Different personalities.

These five behavior groups cover the meaningful cooking differences across the ShrimpSense species set. Each type has its own flavor, texture, and best uses.

Fresh raw warm-water shrimp on ice

Everyday warm-water

Firm, forgiving, savory rather than sweet. The shrimp almost everyone actually buys.

≋
TextureFirm
♨
Best useAll-purpose
◇
Cooking forgivenessHigh
Delicate raw shrimp prepared as an ingredient

Sweet cold-water

Small, intensely sweet, and quick to give that sweetness up to any water you throw away.

≋
TextureDelicate
♨
Best usePoach or fry
◇
Cooking forgivenessMedium-low
Vivid raw red prawns displayed on ice

Red deep-water

Already red in the bag, richer than they look, and done before you think they are.

≋
TextureSoft
♨
Best useSear, grill, poach
◇
Cooking forgivenessLow
Whole raw shell-on shrimp with pronounced shells and antennae

Stone-shelled shrimp

Armored little shrimp with dense, lobster-like meat that cooks in well under a minute.

≋
TextureDense & meaty
♨
Best useFry or hard sear
◇
Cooking forgivenessMedium
Large raw freshwater-style prawns with long claws and antennae

Freshwater prawn

Big, firm, faintly lobster-like — with exceptional browning time and a head that demands fast handling.

≋
TextureFirm & meaty
♨
Best useGrill
◇
Cooking forgivenessHigh

COOKING COMPATIBILITY

How do you want to cook raw shrimp?

Not all shrimp behave the same in the kitchen. These scores rank method fit, not mere possibility: a top score means the method is one of that group’s strongest uses.

Shrimp type
♨Grill
◒Pan sear
▣Boil
▥Fry
◆Butter poach
Everyday warm-water
Sweet cold-water
Red deep-water
Stone-shelled shrimp
Freshwater prawn

SHOP SMART

Read the bag like a pro.

A few details on the package tell you a lot about what you’re buying. Here’s what to look for before the shrimp ever reaches the pan.

Shrimp buying guide →
Example retail bag of raw shell-on shrimp
EXAMPLE RAW SHRIMP BAG
Count sizeTells you how many shrimp per pound. Lower count = larger shrimp.
Cooked or rawChanges cooking time and what “done” looks like.
Shell-on or peeledChanges protection, flavor, texture, and prep.
OriginCan narrow the likely species and production channel.
Fresh whole raw prawns on ice

GO DEEPER

Need the exact species?

Our full species directory has common names, scientific names, market aliases, product connections, and individual profiles — when you’re ready to nerd out.

Explore all 20 shrimp species →SAME SHRIMP. A DEEPER LOOK.