This $8 Tool Is the Easiest Way to Peel and Devein Shrimp

Whenever you buy fresh shrimp, you may notice a thin, dark string down the back of them that you'll want to remove before cooking. This removal process is called “deveining” (although the string is actually the shrimp's digestive tract and not a vein). And while eating the “vein” isn't necessarily harmful, according to Allrecipes, many consider the dark line visually unappealing and believe that it makes the texture more grainy and gritty. Though commonly completed with a small knife or scissors, now you can use this $8 tool from OXO to get the job done without making a huge mess (or breaking a sweat).

This tool helps you easily split shrimp shells and remove the veins all in one motion. All you have to do is insert the shrimp cleaner from the head side and then push the tool in along the back of the shrimp, ridge side up, and pull. The result is perfectly peeled and butterflied shrimps that are ready to cook and eat.

The tool itself is only about eight inches long, making it easy to store, and weighs a light 0.15 pounds. The soft, non-slip handle makes it comfortable to use, even when wet. Because the tool is made of plastic, handwashing is recommended to avoid potential warping in the dishwasher. There's a reason why it has a 4.4-star-rating on Amazon; it's simple to use and does its job quickly.

Get it on Amazon here.

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