How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (2024)

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Here’s how to cook frozen shrimp! Follow these tips and frozen shrimp recipes for the best tender, juicy flavor.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (1)

Got a bag of frozen shrimp and want to turn it into dinner? Shrimp is a fantastic protein because it’s healthy, quick to cook, and stores well in the freezer. Pull out a bag and it’s instant dinner! But how to cook frozen shrimp: do you have to thaw it? Can you dump those icy shrimp right into the pan and apply heat? Here’s what to know, and 20 of our favorite frozen shrimp recipes for making it into a meal.

How to cook frozen shrimp

Do you have to thaw frozen shrimp before cooking it? Yes, it’s best practice to thaw shrimp before cooking it. Why? Shrimp is easy to overcook, which gives it a rubbery texture. Cooking a piece of fish from frozen starts cooking the outside of the fish first, then the inside as it thaws. This means the outside of the fish is cooked before the inside is done.

It’s easy to thaw frozen shrimp, and you don’t even need to think ahead! Of course the best way to is to place them in the refrigerator for 12 hours to allow them to defrost. But here’s the quick method for defrosting and cooking frozen shrimp in a recipe:

  • Place the shrimp in a large bowl of very cold water.
  • Set a timer for 15 minutes and stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp (very large shrimp can take up to 20 minutes).
  • Pat the shrimp dry. This is important: otherwise the shrimp will steam instead of cooking (unless you plan to boil or steam them).
  • Cook the shrimp, following the instructions in Sauteed Shrimp, Boiled Shrimp, Baked Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp, or Steamed Shrimp.

Can you cook frozen shrimp without thawing?

It’s best practice to thaw your shrimp before cooking it to avoid rubbery, overcooked shrimp. It takes just 15 minutes to thaw the shrimp in a bowl of cold water. If you’re really in a rush, the best cooking methods for frozen shrimp are boiled shrimp or steamed shrimp: increase the cook time by 1 minute and check often to assess doneness.

20 frozen shrimp recipes

What are the best recipes for using thawed frozen shrimp to make a quick dinner? Here are all our favorite cooking methods and ways to prepare shrimp to make a healthy meal.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (2)

Perfect Sauteed Shrimp

Here’s a recipe that knocked us off our feet: and it sounds deceptively simple. But this really is the perfect sauteed shrimp...and it takes just 3 minutes to cook! It’s easy once you know a few tricks on how long to cook shrimp and how to season it.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (3)

Old Bay Steamed Shrimp

Here’s a fun way to cook shrimp without all the hassle of a shrimp boil: tryOld Bay Steamed Shrimp! Truth be told, this method is a combination of boiling and steaming: but it results in beautifully succulent, seasoned shrimp. Get this: the cook time is only 2 to 3 minutes!

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (4)

Easy Baked Shrimp

Why not trybaked shrimpin the oven? This method issoeasy and the shrimp come out juicy and perfectly seasoned with garlic and herbs. Move over, shrimp recipes! This one is the perfect healthy, fast and easy dinner.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (5)

Perfect Grilled Shrimp

Grilled shrimp is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook this tasty shellfish. The only part that takes time is preheating the grill! Thaw your frozen shrimp while you preheat, then grill them up with this perfect seasoning blend.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (6)

Broiled Shrimp

Broiled Shrimpis out of this world good. It's tender, juicy, and so fast to cook. You don’t even need to preheat the oven! It’s perfectly seasoned with garlic and lemon.

Shrimp are one of the simplest paths to a fast and easy dinner, and this Cajun Shrimp recipe makes them taste irresistible in minutes. Toss these babies with a little Cajun seasoning and sauté them up in a skillet. The flavor is so savory, garlicky and irresistible, you’ll hardly believe the prep time: it takes only 5 minutes to put together!

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Boiled Shrimp

The most popular way to use boiled shrimp is forshrimp co*cktail, but you could boil it for any type of preparation. The advantage of boiling? It keeps well at room temperature, making it perfect to sit out on a platter of shrimp co*cktail while entertaining.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (9)

Honey Garlic Shrimp

There’s nothing like the sweet savory combination of honey garlic glaze and juicy shrimp. The best part?It takes 10 minutes to make. This one is hits all the comforting, satisfying dinner notes with a lightning fast prep speed.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (10)

Easy Pesto Shrimp

Here’s an idea that has easy weeknight meal written all over it: pesto shrimp! Turns out this bright green, garlicky sauce is the perfect pairing for this succulent shellfish. Serve with noodles or rice and sauteed veggies or a salad.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (11)

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, and white wine: what could be better? Yes, it’s the Italian Americanshrimp scampi, a classic that’s been stealing hearts and minds for decades. Juicy, garlicky shrimp swim in a rich, tangy butter sauce. Sop it up with crusty bread, or pour it overpasta: either way, it’s divine.

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Quick Shrimp Tacos

What’s better than shrimp tacos? Their carefree vibe makes any dinner more festive, even if it’s just any old Tuesday. What we love about this easy shrimp taco recipe is that it’s both fastfamily dinner recipefor weeknightsandentertaining.

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Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Want a meal to impress…with a little kick? TryShrimp Fra Diavolo! This Italian-style dish stars tender shrimp that swim in a garlicky, spicy tomato sauce. “Fra diavolo” translates to “brother devil” in Italian, alluding to the intense heat of this dish. But make it homemade and you can customize the spiciness to your taste!

Looking for an easy, tasty 30 minute meal that’s a hit every time? Try these classicShrimp Fajitas! This Tex Mex favorite is a recipe for dinnertime success. Thefajita veggiesare seasoned to perfection, and the shrimp are juicy and buttery.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (15)

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Here’s our new favorite way to cook it:Cilantro Lime Shrimp! This recipe takes only 10 minutes to make and comes out beautifully tangy and fresh! It pairs perfectly with Mexican-style flavors: try with refried beans, rice, in tacos, or with chips and salsa.

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Easy BBQ Shrimp

Looking for a fun, flavorful way to eat frozen shrimp for dinner? Try thisBBQ Shrimprecipe! This quick and easy method makes a bold, tangy sauce for the shrimp to swim in, flavored with barbecue sauce and a few extras. It’s the perfect fast dinner for nights where you don’t want to think too hard, and you might already have many of the ingredients on hand.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (17)

A meal in a sheet pan never really gets old, does it? Introducing theMediterranean Sheet Pan Shrimp dinner! Combine juicy shrimp with colorful Mediterranean veggies like cherry tomatoes and tangy artichoke, then top it off with a squeeze of lemon and a hearty sprinkle of feta cheese. Serve withorzo,couscousor rice and it’s an explosion of flavor on your plate.

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Shrimp and Broccoli

Looking for ahealthy and easyweeknight meal?Try shrimp and broccoli!The pair are cooked with soy sauce and and rice vinegar until bright and savory. The contrast of the crisp tender broccoli against the juicy shrimp is really something.

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Quick Shrimp Stir Fry

Here’s a go-to in the fast and easy dinner category:shrimp stir fry! It’s quick to put together and the umami-packed stir fry sauce is full of irresistible flavor. Add your favorite vegetables to make a super-satisfying dinner that pleases everyone around the table.

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Shrimp Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice

Here’s an irresistible recipe you’ll want to make again and again…thisShrimp Rice Bowl! It got 5 stars in our house. Mix up a batch ofcilantro lime rice, then top it with tender shrimp and a quick black bean and corn salad. This best part is a creamy, zingychipotle ranch dressingthat covers it all.

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Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

There’s something about baking up dinner on one pan in the oven that never gets old. And theseSheet Pan Shrimp Fajitasare perfect for an easy weeknight meal! ThisTex Mex favoriteis even more fun on a sheet pan. The shrimp comes out juicy and succulent, and everything is infused with an irresistible combination of spices.

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Blackened Shrimp

Here’s a way to cook shrimp that you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again:blackened shrimp! Blackening is a Cajun cooking technique that’s all about thespices. Combine homemade blackened seasoning with grilled or pan-fried shrimp, and you’ve got a mix of savory, herbal, and salty flavors that makes it over the top irresistible!

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How to Cook Frozen Shrimp (& 20 Recipes!)

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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
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Description

This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in less than 10 minutes! Here are the secrets to how to saute shrimp.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 pounds medium frozen shrimp, deveined (tail on or peeled)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute standard paprika)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 3 lemon wedges
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Remove the shrimp from the package and place them in a large bowl of very cold water for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. (After 15 minutes, rinse off any remaining ice.)
  2. Pat the shrimp completely dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs.
  4. Spritz with juice of the lemon wedges and serve immediately.
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Sauteed
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

gluten free seafood

Published on / Last updated on

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About the authors

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (24)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

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How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to cook frozen shrimp? ›

Cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer.

The air fryer is an effortless way to get juicy, tender shrimp that can be used in a variety of shrimp recipes. The best part about air fryer frozen shrimp is there's no need to defrost the shrimp first; you can take them right from the freezer to the fryer.

Does frozen shrimp need to be thawed before cooking? ›

Cooking frozen shrimp won't harm you, but the texture won't be as appetising as if you cook from thawed. If time allows, leave your shrimp in the fridge overnight to thaw. Avoid thawing at room temperature, as this also impacts the texture.

How to add flavor to frozen cooked shrimp? ›

A simple way to season already cooked frozen shrimp is to toss them in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This creates a flavorful and versatile base for various dishes.

How do you not overcook frozen shrimp? ›

You can sear them on high heat, one minute per side or less, unless you've bought super jumbo shrimp (don't you love a good oxymoron?). If you add touch of sugar to your marinade (not enough to make them taste sweet) it will help them char a little, adding great flavor, without having to cook them longer.

Is it better to steam or boil frozen shrimp? ›

Steaming is much gentler on seafood and helps lock in the shrimp's flavor. Additionally, steaming is more convenient than boiling because you need less water, which means you don't have to wait as long for it to come to a boil. The sooner your water comes to a boil, the sooner you can eat!

Is it better to grill frozen or thawed shrimp? ›

Yes and no. You can grill shrimp from frozen, but you probably shouldn't. "It makes the outside tough and cooks unevenly, tending to leave the inside raw," Price says. "It's best if the shrimp is thawed, peeled, deveined, marinated, then grilled."

Can you cook frozen shrimp straight from the freezer? ›

Totally! According to FDA seafood guidelines, shrimp should be cooked until the flesh is firm and clear. But shrimp are so small and fatty, they reach that point from frozen in a matter of a few minutes. In fact, cooking shrimp from frozen actually helps prevent overcooking, leading to juicer, more tender shrimp.

What cooking method is best for shrimp? ›

Sautéing, or pan-frying, is a simple way to prepare shrimp for a variety of meals, from tacos and salads to pasta dishes and more. All you'll need is a light type of oil, such as olive oil and a heavy-duty skillet. To get started, choose a large pan to prevent overcrowding and encourage even cooking.

How to cook shrimp without making it rubbery? ›

Cook without moving for 2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large shrimp, or 4 minutes for jumbo shrimp. Flip shrimp and continue to cook, tossing, until the shrimp are just cooked through—1 minute for medium shrimp, 1–2 minutes for large shrimp, or 2–3 minutes for jumbo shrimp.

What brings out the flavor of shrimp? ›

Butter and garlic are a perfect mix of sweet and savory. Cooking lean meat, like shrimp, in butter is ideal since it gives the meat a richer flavor. Garlic adds a little bite. This seasoning mix is the base for Italian dishes like shrimp scampi and Asian dishes like honey garlic butter shrimp.

How can I make my shrimp taste better? ›

Start With a Dry Brine, No Matter How You're Cooking

Before we dive into the details, there's one technique that we've found improves all shrimp, regardless of cooking method: a quick dry brine with salt and baking soda.

How do you get the fishy taste out of frozen shrimp? ›

Add Lime Juice

Therefore, how to process shrimp, so they are not fishy can be done by adding lime juice which can help disguise the fishy smell. When adding the lime juice, don't forget to let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes so that the fishy smell of the shrimp completely disappears.

Why add baking soda to shrimp before cooking? ›

Alkaline baking soda slightly alters the pH of the shrimp, making them as plump and succulent as lobster and resistant to overcooking. The brine also causes the meat to pull away from the shells while cooking, so you get all the great flavor of shell-on shrimp without the hassle.

How do you know when frozen shrimp is done? ›

Use a food thermometer to make sure the interior temperature of a shrimp is at least 145 °F (63 °C). This is the safest way to tell if it's fully cooked. Check for an opaque white color on the outside, a curved “C” shape, and a tender texture.

Do you deep fry shrimp frozen or thawed? ›

You can use fresh or frozen. I always keep frozen shrimp in my freezer. If using frozen shrimp: Run them under cool water until completely thawed, then pat them dry. You may also need to remove the shells/veins.

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