Shrimp, the fruit of the sea and by far the most popular seafood in America.
There are hundreds of varieties of shrimp and each one of them has their own distinctive taste and quality.
Not all shrimp are the same when it comes down to their taste, and if you’re a shrimp fanatic like me then you must be wondering, just what is the best tasting shrimp out there?
The best shrimp to eat is the Mobile Bay Brown Shrimp. These shrimp might be small in size, but their sweet rich flavor makes them one of the most delicious to eat.
I grew up in the small town of Bayou La Batre, Al working for my grandfather at our family shrimp dock, so you can say I know a thing or two about shrimp.
In this article I’m going to discuss the top ten best tasting shrimps that are domestic to the United States.
This list is based on my personal and professional opinion. So, please keep that in mind while reading the article.
The 10 Best Tasting Shrimp in The United States
Here are the best tasting shrimp in the United States. I will try my best to describe their taste and texture so that you can have a good idea of what you should expect when feasting on each of these.
10. Gulf Brown Shrimp
Often referred to as Brownies by the local fishermen, these are caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike the brown shrimp caught in the Bays, Gulf Brownies have an orange tint to them due to their iodine-rich diet.
They are strong and robust in flavor with a firm texture. Brown Shrimp can be boiled, baked, fried, sauteed, grilled or steamed.
Soaking in buttermilk then battering and frying Gulf Brown Shrimp is a common preparation as they can sometimes have a strong iodine flavor.
9. Royal Reds
Royal Reds pack a rich, buttery flavor that’s often compared to a lobster. Many would put this at the number one position on the list, but not everyone grew up on a shrimp dock and understand that royal reds are more heavily marketed than any other shrimp on the Gulf coast.
This shrimp is a fan favorite for the beach vacationers and has been marketed in a way that has everyone wanting these tasty shrimp.
Royal Reds, who prefer colder water, are typically caught at depths of 1200 feet and up to 2100 feet. Due to this fact, you will most likely never get them fresh because they are quickly frozen after they are caught.
This is because the shrimp boats have to go to such deep waters to get them, and normally stay out on the water for long periods of time.
They are fantastic boiled or steamed. Their red color makes them look like they are already cooked. I’ve seen and heard of many people eating them raw by mistake, so don’t make that same mistake!
8. Gulf White Shrimp
Caught in the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf White Shrimp are milder and sweeter in flavor compared to Gulf Brownies.
These Shrimp are slightly more tender compared to other shrimps, with shells that are easier to peel.
Generally, people prefer the milder taste of the Gulf White to the Gulf Brown Shrimp. And I am basically one of those people. That’s why I put the Gulf white shrimp at number 8 on this list.
7. Alaskan Side Stripe Shrimp
My favorite Shrimp on the West Coast is the Alaskan Side Stripe Shrimp. They are considered to have the sweetest flavor of all Alaskan Shrimp with a very delicate texture.
A good Friend overnighted us a few pounds and we simply boiled them with salt and pepper, because that’s all they need! Often referred to as “nature’s fast food” these shrimp only need to be cooked for about one to two minutes.
6. Florida Pink Shrimp
Florida Pink Shrimp live in the clean coral sand off the west coast of Florida which contributes to the pink shell color as well as the rich sweet-salty taste. Commonly known as “Key West Pinks” they are the most popular shrimp in Florida.
Florida pink shrimp are not only unique in color but can also be identified by the red dot on the shell.
Prized for their sweet tender meat, pink shrimp are great boiled, baked, fried, sautéed, grilled, or steamed. These shrimp hit the docks during the winter and spring months.
5. Rock Shrimp
Rock Shrimp were always a special treat when shrimpers brought them to the dock. Only a small amount of rock shrimp would come in when the Gulf boats came to unload.
The deck hands would always save us about 10-15 pounds for my grandfather.
I always called them the crawfish of the Gulf due to their hard shell. Rock shrimps never disappoint.
They are known for their very tough and hard shell. Until machines were invented to peel them, rock shrimp were only popular with avid fishermen because getting to the meat through the hard shell was such a chore.
Rock shrimp have a sweet flavor with a firm texture and its flavor is compared to a spiny lobster.
4. Pamlico County White Shrimp
These white shrimp are harvested in Pamlico County North Carolina in the Pamlico sound, and are some of the sweetest white shrimps I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
These are fantastic frying shrimp and are often referred to as green tale by the local shrimpers.
Even though I was raised on Gulf White shrimp, there is no doubt that white shrimp out of the Pamlico Sound have a much sweeter taste.
3. Mobile Bay White Shrimp
I grew up on shrimp that was fresh caught from Mobile Bay. We had several shrimpers who used skimmer rigs and would bring in some beautiful large Mobile Bay White Shrimp.
These Large beauties are the best shrimp for the grill, and you can even fry the shrimp heads. They taste identical to soft shell crabs.
*If you love shrimp as much as I do check out our awesome shrimp hats in our online shop.
2. Hoppers
Hopper shrimp are commonly referred to as Hoppers. Hoppers are closely related to the Florida pink shrimp and are distinguished by a bright red dot on the side of their body.
Unlike most shrimp that have a distinct color, hoppers match the color of the bottom they are sitting on top of, so their color slightly varies from translucent green to golden brown based on where they are caught from.
They have a firm, crisp texture with a sweet ocean flavor. There is not a recipe that these shrimp do not go great with.
1. Mobile Bay Brown Shrimp
Number one on the list is a favorite to many locals in Bayou La Batre. Brown shrimp out of the bays are smaller in size then their Gulf counterpart but pack much more of an amazing flavor.
My absolute favorite way to eat shrimp is a good old-fashioned shrimp boil using 40/50 head-on count Mobile Bay Brownies using only salt and pepper to season them.
Check out our complete guide on how to boil shrimp.
Good Shrimp is like a fine steak, and there is no need to go crazy with spices. These have such a natural sweet flavor that leave you wanting more.
How to Buy Fresh Shrimp?
Shrimp spoil pretty fast. If not handled properly it doesn’t take much for them to go bad.
So, it’s quite often that by the time they reach the markets, they are not as fresh you’d want them to be. And that not only creates health concerns but at the same time you won’t get the right taste and texture out of them.
So, how do you determine the freshness?
The first thing that you should notice are the shells. In case of fresh shrimp the shells will be firmly attached to the meat of the shrimp and will appear glossy.
In case of spoiled or improperly handled shrimp the shells will become loosely attached to the flesh. Black spots may also appear on the shells.
When buying any type of shrimp educate yourself on the proper coloring and appearance of the type of shrimp you are buying before hitting the grocery store or your local fish market.
As when shrimp become rotten their color is the first thing that is affected. Fresh shrimp will retain their natural color.
Lastly, use your nose. Spoiled shrimp always produce a foul ammonia smell.
Fresh shrimp should smell like seaweed. If the shrimp you are buying is producing a weird funky smell then stay away from it.
My advice would be to buy shrimp from local shops, fish markets or directly off the boat as you have a better chance at finding freshly caught shrimp there. Avoid grocery stores if possible.
Conclusion
As you can see based on the species and where they are sourced, different sorts of shrimp vary quite a lot in their taste and texture.
The 10 best tasting shrimp listed on this article all taste great. Now, which is the best mainly depends on who you are asking.
My advice is that you give each of them a try and decide for yourself. If you would like more infomation on anything seafood feel free to call me at 251-508-7234.