The Shrimp Variety You Should Try If You'd Rather Be Eating Lobster

There are 2,000 shrimp species from all around the world, and likely just as many ways to prepare them. According to American Shrimp, the most consumed types of shrimp are pink, white, brown, brown rock, and royal red, and even if you cook them with similar methods, they each have unique tastes and characteristics. According to Alabama Gulf Seafood, brown shrimp's strong taste pairs well with gumbos, while pink shrimp is sweet and mild and goes well with light sauces. 

When dining at a restaurant, some gravitate to popcorn shrimp, a small, breaded variety coined by Red Lobster, while others enjoy scampi — an Italian-American shrimp dish flavored with garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon juice. But, what if you're craving another type of seafood, say, lobster? Lobster isn't always available or so expensive that you can't justify the price. Per Insider, lobster costs are high because they're difficult to raise, so they must be fished. Additionally, shipping to landlocked areas causes price increases. If you really want lobster though, there is a shrimp alternative that's sure to satisfy your cravings.

Shrimp is much more affordable than lobster, and there is one variety that can satisfy a general craving for this type of seafood. As explained by Food Reference, rock shrimp is such a good stand-in for lobster that the two are commonly confused. Similar to lobster, a rock shrimp's hard shell can be difficult to penetrate, and according to Restaurant Clicks, kitchen shears are a good way to remove the shrimp's meat from its shell. Beyond its appearance, it also shares the same texture and sweet flavor as lobster.

Rock shrimp can also be cooked to mimic lobster. Wood Fisheries suggests that rock shrimp should be split down the middle on the side opposite the shell, similar to lobster. You then lay them on their backs, arrange them, and remove their veins before placing them in a shallow pan with minimal water. To really bring out the lobster taste, you can try adding melted butter and garlic salt before serving them alongside additional melted butter for dipping.