This Is Why Shrimp Turns Pink When You Cook It

Science is AMAZING.
joannatkaczuk via Getty Images

Shrimp, before it’s cooked, is a very unappetizing gray-blue color. This color, it turns out, is the exoskeleton (you know, the shrimp’s external skeleton).

Now, to explain how that exoskeleton turns pink we have to get scientific on you. Here we go: the exoskeleton contains carotenoids (which are pigments) called astaxanthin. It is these carotenoids that are what give salmon its pink color. Before the shrimp is cooked the astaxanthin is covered by protein chains called crustacyanin. The protein chains in fact wrap up the astaxanthin, concealing its lovely pinkish-red color.

But heat loosens the hold these protein chains have on the carotenoids and releases the astaxanthin, turning the shrimp its lovely shade of pink. This is the same reason lobsters turn red when you cook them.

One more fun fact: if you’ve ever heard that flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp, it’s because of this same carotenoid. While flamingos eat shrimp that still appear blueish gray (they don’t have the luxury of cooking them before eating), the crustacyanin protein chain dissolves in digestion ― releasing the carotenoid that makes flamingo feathers more pink.

"There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich." Point is, flamingos love shrimp.
legna69 via Getty Images
"There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich." Point is, flamingos love shrimp.

Now that you know why, watch the magic happen with these shrimp recipes.

1
Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Special (Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp)
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp recipe from Half Baked Harvest
2
Shrimp Pasta With Broccoli Pesto
Gimme Some Oven
Get the Shrimp Pasta With Broccoli Pesto recipe from Gimme Some Oven
3
Big Easy Style Saucy Creole Shrimp
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Big Easy Style Saucy Creole Shrimp recipe from Half Baked Harvest
4
Italian Shrimp And Grits
A Spicy Perspective
Get the Italian Shrimp And Grits recipe from A Spicy Perspective
5
Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp
Gimme Some Oven
Get the Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp recipe from Gimme Some Oven
6
Quinoa Tabbouleh With Lemony Shrimp
Annie's Eats
7
Miso Butter Shrimp
Steamy Kitchen
Get the Miso Butter Shrimp recipe from Steamy Kitchen
8
Sweet Chile Shrimp Tacos
A Spicy Perspective
Get the Sweet Chile Shrimp Tacos recipe from A Spicy Perspective
9
Garlicky Grilled Shrimp
The Clever Carrot
Get the Garlicky Grilled Shrimp recipe from The Clever Carrot
10
Shrimp Scampi Zoodles For Two
Skinny Taste
Get the Shrimp Scampi Zoodles For Two recipe from Skinny Taste
11
Grilled Chiles Rellenos With Chipotle Peach Mojo Shrimp
Half Baked Harvest
12
Coconut-Lime Fried Shrimp With Fiery Mango-Peach Jalapeno Sauce
Half Baked Harvest
13
Roasted Basil Butter Parmesan Shrimp
How Sweet It Is
14
Shrimp Burgers With Chipotle Cream & Coconut Peach Salsa
How Sweet It Is
15
Shrimp Cakes
Simply Recipes
Get the Shrimp Cakes recipe by Simply Recipes
16
Peppery Garlic Prawns
Simply Recipes
Get the Peppery Garlic Prawns recipe by Simply Recipes
17
Shrimp And Bacon Risotto
How Sweet It Is
Get the Shrimp and Bacon Risotto recipe by How Sweet It Is
18
Garlic Shrimp In Coconut Milk, Tomatoes and Cilantro
Skinny Taste
19
Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
Simply Recipes
Get the Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich recipe by Simply Recipes
20
Fresh Corn Chowder With Bacon + Barbecue Shrimp
How Sweet It Is
21
Spicy Beer & Butter Shrimp with Cornbread Panzanella Salad
Half Baked Harvest
22
Shrimp Gumbo With Andouille Sausage
Simply Recipes
23
Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir-Fry
The Clever Carrot
Get the Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir-Fry recipe from The Clever Carrot
24
Thai Firecracker Shrimp
Steamy Kitchen
Get the Thai Firecracker Shrimp recipe from Steamy Kitchen
25
Aloha Teriyaki Shrimp Burgers
Skinny Taste
Get the Aloha Teriyaki Shrimp Burgers recipe from Skinny Taste
26
Shrimp Dip
Simply Recipes
Get the Shrimp Dip recipe by Simply Recipes
27
Smoky Paprika Shrimp Skewers
Simply Recipes
Get the Smoky Paprika Shrimp Skewers recipe by Simply Recipes
28
Ancho Chile, Shrimp And Pasta
Simply Recipes
Get the Ancho Chile, Shrimp, and Pasta recipe by Simply Recipes
29
Crispy Shrimp Pizza
How Sweet It Is
Get the Crispy Shrimp Pizza recipe by How Sweet It Is
30
Cioppino
Simply Recipes
Get the Cioppino recipe by Simply Recipes

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