How to Make Beer-Steamed Shrimp (Tôm Hấp Bia)
Beer-steamed shrimp features the unique aroma of beer mingling with fragrant lemongrass, while the shrimp is fresh, sweet, and tender. Enjoy it hot with a salt, pepper, and lime dipping sauce for a truly delightful experience.
Ingredients
- 500g large shrimp
- 5-6 lemongrass stalks
- 1 can of beer
- Lime
- Pepper
- Fresh chili
- Salt
Ingredient Notes
Lemongrass is a must-have ingredient for beer-steamed shrimp. You can add a slice of fresh ginger for extra aroma if desired.
Choose large shrimp for steaming, such as giant freshwater prawns or tiger shrimp.
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Rinse the shrimp with coarse salt, then clean thoroughly. If desired, you can trim off the waste sac at the shrimp's head and remove the black vein along the back. Rinse again and drain.
Peel off the dry outer layers of the lemongrass, cut them in half, and crush the lemongrass stalks to release more of the essential oils, or shred them if preferred.
Steam the Shrimp with Beer and Lemongrass
Place a steaming rack inside the pot, lay the lemongrass at the bottom, then arrange the shrimp on top. Pour in the beer, cover the pot, and steam the shrimp over medium heat. When the beer starts to boil, you can reduce the heat slightly to prevent the beer from evaporating too quickly and to ensure the shrimp cook evenly.
With 500g of shrimp, it only takes about 5-7 minutes to steam them until they turn a vibrant pink-orange. Turn off the heat, transfer the shrimp to a plate, and serve immediately while hot.
Make the Dipping Sauce for Beer-Steamed Shrimp
Mix 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, finely chop 1 chili, and squeeze in about 2 teaspoons of lime juice. Stir well to create a salt, pepper, and lime dipping sauce for the beer-steamed shrimp.
The beer-steamed shrimp with lemongrass has a unique aroma of beer combined with the fragrance of lemongrass. The shrimp is just cooked, sweet, and not dry.
Tips & Notes
Beer-steamed shrimp with lemongrass has a distinct aroma from the beer combined with the fragrance of lemongrass, and the shrimp is just cooked, sweet, and not dry. Shrimp cooks quickly, so avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming dry and tough. Serve the shrimp hot, as it tends to develop a fishy smell when cold.
The process for making beer-steamed shrimp with lemongrass is quick and easy. However, to achieve a delicious dish, selecting fresh shrimp is crucial. Below are some tips for choosing fresh shrimp that you can refer to:
Fresh shrimp have a shiny shell and intact parts like the body, head, and legs, which should not be loose or detached. The shrimp's body should be slightly curved and firm to the touch, with some elasticity, indicating freshness. Avoid shrimp that are overly curled with the head and tail nearly touching, as this is a sign of spoilage.
Alternatively, you can gently stretch the shrimp to check the distance between the segments on its body. If the gaps are wide, the shrimp is either spoiled or has been frozen for too long. Additionally, the shrimp's legs should be clear and firm; if they are blackened, the shrimp is not fresh.
