Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need to rearrange any oven racks so you can bake the shrimp in the center of the oven, do so before turning it on.

2. Rinse the shrimp off and pat them dry with clean paper towels. This gets rid of any grains of sand or other debris that may be stuck to the shellfish.

3. Use a cooking brush to coat the shrimp with cooking oil or melted butter. Opt for unsalted butter to prevent an overly salty dish. Lay the shrimp in a baking dish in one layer. Do not crowd the shrimp.

4. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the shrimp to taste. Flip them over and season the other sides. Use sea salt and freshly cracked pepper for more pronounced flavors. Add other dried herbs or spices, if you like. Thyme or basil works well, or try turmeric or Cajun blackening seasoning for a more fiery preparation. You could also add a splash of lemon or lime juice, white wine, hot sauce, cocktail sauce or other ingredients.

5. Bake the shrimp in the middle of the oven for about 15 minutes for large pieces. Smaller shrimp need a little less time. They should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but accurate readings are hard to get with a meat thermometer because of the small size of the shrimp. Cut one open and confirm that the flesh is pearly and opaque through to the center to be sure they're safely cooked.