Learn how to devein and clean shrimp and prawns with my easy step-by-step instructions. This technique uses a skewer to remove the vein so you can maintain maximum juiciness of the shrimp by not cutting open its back.

Here, I’ll show you a simple way to devein shrimp and prepare them for delicious shrimp recipes. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is a digestive tract of unappetizing grit. While you can cook and eat them with the vein, most people prefer it removed for taste and presentation.
Deveining shrimp is very easy to do. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
What is the Right Way to Devein Shrimp?
If you order a shrimp salad or buy deveined frozen shrimp, you’ll probably see a shrimp’s back split open. This is because the vein has been exposed and removed by cutting a shallow slit down the entire length of its back with a sharp paring knife or other small knife.
This is the easiest way, and it’s a good method if you plan to marinate shrimp to grill or pan-fry and want it to absorb the flavors well. However, it’s not suitable for dishes like shrimp tempura, ebi fry, or shrimp cocktail where you want to keep the body of the shrimp intact.
The Proper Method
There’s a better method for removing the vein that doesn’t require cutting open the outer edge of the shrimp. Using a skewer to devein the shrimp is the proper technique. This method maintains the shrimp’s shape and retains maximum juiciness in the shrimp.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pull off the head of large shrimp or prawns.
- Peel off the shell and legs from the 3rd segment from the head end. Keep on the tail tip and the last segment of the shell if you’re going to make shrimp tempura and ebi fry.
- Find a spot along the back of the shrimp or prawn about ½–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) down from the head. Insert the skewer tip sideways and just underneath the intestinal tract.
- Lift the vein by pulling up the skewer tip towards you.
- Pull off the vein from the shrimp using the skewer or your fingers. If the vein breaks, then insert the skewer again a bit lower towards the tail and try again.
The Best Way To Clean Shrimp
Once you remove the vein from the shrimp, it’s time to clean it. Sometimes rinsing the shrimp under cold running water is not enough to completely clean it. Here’s the method we use in Japanese cooking:
- Sprinkle some potato starch or cornstarch to coat the shrimp.
- Rub the starch on the shrimp to absorb the odor and dirt.
- Rinse the shrimp clean under running water and drain.
Why Clean Shrimp With Potato Starch?
Now, you might be wondering why I use potato starch (katakuriko 片栗粉) or cornstarch to clean shrimp after removing the shell.
The potato starch absorbs the smell and dirty particles from shrimp very well. You will see how much dirt the starch removes when you rinse the shrimp. You can compare the difference between one rinsed with potato starch and one without. You’ll be surprised!
How to Remove the Odor From Shrimp
While optional, this step is a common one among Japanese home cooks. It’s a great method to quickly remove the shrimp’s odor.
- Sprinkle 1 Tbsp sake on the shrimp.
- Rub them together with your hands.
- Discard the liquid after 10 minutes. There’s no need to rinse.
Your shrimp are now ready to use. I hope you give this method a try for your next shrimp recipe!

Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love
- Shrimp Tempura and Ebi Fry (see my post for how to prepare shrimp for these dishes)
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Japanese Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus
- Korean Savory Pancake (Pajeon)
- Ebi Katsu Burger (Shrimp Cutlet)
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How to Devein Shrimp and Prawns
Video
Materials
- large shrimp or prawns
- potato starch or cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp sake (optional; plus more, if needed)
Instructions
- Pull off the head of large shrimp or prawns, if still attached. Next, peel off the shell and legs. It‘s easiest to peel from the 3rd segment from the head. In this tutorial, I‘ll keep on the last segment of the shell and the tail tip, which is how we peel the shell for shrimp tempura and ebi fry.
To Devein
- Now, use a wooden skewer to remove the vein. First, find a spot along the back of the shrimp or prawn about ½–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) down from the head. Insert the skewer tip sideways and just underneath the vein. Next, pull the skewer tip up towards you to lift the vein. Then, pull off the vein using the skewer or your fingers. If the vein breaks, then insert the skewer again a bit lower towards the tail and try again. If you can’t find the vein, then don’t worry about it. Tip: You can still devein the same way even with the shell on the shrimp or prawn by inserting the skewer between the first and second shell segments.
To Clean
- Sprinkle some potato starch or cornstarch to coat the shrimp. Rub the starch on the shrimp to absorb the odor and dirt. Then, rinse the shrimp clean under running water and drain.
To Remove the Remaining Odor (optional)
- To remove any remaining odor, sprinkle 1 Tbsp sake on the shrimp and rub together with your hands. Discard the liquid after 10 minutes (no need to rinse). Your shrimp are now ready to use.
To Use
- Your shrimp or prawns are now ready to use in recipes like Shrimp Tempura, Ebi Fry (Japanese Fried Shrimp), Shrimp Egg Rolls, and Gluten-Free Tempura.
Excellent information, thank you. I’ve been making Pasta and Spag.Bol. for a few years now. During the Covid season I’ve had an epiphany. I’ve tried my hand at Sweet and Sour! Main reason; my wife has always turned her nose up at “that foreign muck”! She enjoys my pasta bakes so much, I thought, give it a go.
I’ve purchased a deep fat fryer, only a 2.5lt version, so I can use my own mix of batters. I suffer from rosacea, brought on by spices etc.. My wife has IBS, so she can’t have glutens. I know the wife won’t eat shellfish or Octopus or Squid. She’ll have Chicken, Pork or Red meats, so I’ll be making up Tempura Batters like crazy.
I wish I’d found this excitement years ago! Setting fire to the cooker when I was younger put me off. Now I’m nearly 70, I’m feeling invigorated!
Hi Freddie,
We couldn’t be happier to hear how much joy and excitement Nami’s recipe has brought to you!
Thank you very much for sharing your story with us!💕