Unlike other foods that can suffer damage when frozen, shrimp thrives in the freezer. In fact, they're often frozen right on the boat, directly after being caught. This means they're at peak freshness when frozen, making them delicious and convenient (and you probably have a bag in your freezer right now).
Unless you live on the Gulf Coast, the "fresh" shrimp you can find in the grocery store probably came from frozen...so you might as well skip the middle-man and just buy it frozen.
There's just one problem, right? You have to thaw those suckers. But don't fret, whether you planned ahead or you need to have dinner on the table in an hour, it's easy to thaw frozen shrimp for all your cooking needs.
Regardless of how you thaw them, you'll know shrimp has finished thawing when the exterior looks translucent, and there are no remaining frozen parts. Here are three ways to thaw shrimp, depending on how much time you have:
Overnight
If you're one of those people who plans dinner ahead of time (we're talking a whole day in advance), congrats! Thawing shrimp is going to be a breeze. Your best bet is going to be to move that frozen package of shrimp from your freezer to your fridge the night before you want to cook it. Allow it to thaw overnight, or for up to 24 hours. To prevent drips, put the package in a bowl or lay it flat on a rimmed baking sheet.
In 45 minutes
Okay, if you're like most of us you just decided what to make for dinner at 5:01. If that's you, no worries, you can still thaw and cook your frozen shrimp in time to have dinner.
To start, remove the unopened bag of shrimp from the freezer and place it in a large bowl of cold water. Don't use hot water, as this will cause the shrimp to cook inside the bag (yuck). Use a plate or other heavy object to hold the bag down, and allow it to thaw, fully submerged, for 45 minutes.
In 20 minutes
Don't have 45 minutes? If you're scrambling to get dinner on the table fast, use this method for lightning fast (20-minute) thawing:
Open your package of shrimp and dump the shrimp directly into a bowl of cold water. Depending on the size of the shrimp, they will thaw in about 10 to 20 minutes.
Although this method is effective when you're in a pinch, it may cause the shrimp to take on excess water. If you're worried about your shrimp turning into a watery mess, use this trick to cook frozen shrimp without thinning out your sauce.
How not to thaw shrimp. Ever.
Never thaw frozen shrimp at room temperature. This will cause it to enter the temperature "danger zone," — the range between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F where bacteria grow most rapidly.
Related:
FAQs
Instructions. Remove the frozen shrimp from the bag and place in a colander in the sink. Run cold water over them, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Check shrimp, if not thawed, continue running cold water until fully thawed.
Is it okay to thaw shrimp under running water? ›
Instructions. Remove the frozen shrimp from the bag and place in a colander in the sink. Run cold water over them, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Check shrimp, if not thawed, continue running cold water until fully thawed.
What is the best way to thaw frozen shrimp in ServSafe? ›
Thawing temperature has to be controlled, and there are only four correct ways to thaw frozen foods:
- In the cooler at 41° F or lower.
- In a microwave (if the food is to be cooked immediately)
- Submerged under 70° F or lower running water.
- As a part of the cooking process (such as a frozen hamburger patty)
Under no circ*mstances should you ever thaw frozen shrimp at room temperature, as this can be extremely dangerous. Thawing frozen shrimp at room temperature will cause the shrimp to enter the temperature danger zone, which is the range between 40°F and 140°F where bacteria grows most rapidly.
Is it okay to cook frozen shrimp without thawing? ›
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 is the best way to thaw frozen shrimp? ›
If you're planning ahead, the best way to thaw shrimp is to transfer it from the freezer to the fridge the day before you plan to cook it. This allows the shrimp to thaw gradually. Place the bag of frozen shrimp on a paper-towel lined baking sheet or platter so that any leaks from the bag are soaked up.
Why thaw under running water? ›
Flowing water is needed to keep the item cool and to allow food particles to wash into the overflow drain.
Should you rinse shrimp after thawing? ›
Just place them in a covered bowl. The next day give them a rinse with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel before cooking. Resist using warm water because the shrimp will defrost unevenly and this can cause the shrimp to also cook unevenly if the outside seems defrosted but the inside isn't.
How long can frozen shrimp be left out? ›
Frozen raw fish is best used within 3 to 8 months; shellfish, 3 to 12 months. Seafood should never be left out over two hours.
How to quickly defrost shrimp rings? ›
Quick Thaw: Remove dome and sauce cup – do not remove inner wrapper. Place sealed sauce cup and sealed platter under cold running water until thawed. To Serve: Remove inner wrapper and seal from sauce cup; stir sauce and serve.
The best way to tell when shrimp are cooked through is to look for visual cues: “Watch for the shrimp to curl and turn opaque,” says Kendra. Undercooked shrimp will be gray and translucent, with uncurled tails. Perfectly cooked shrimp will be opaque with a color ranging from pink or orange, depending on variety.
Can you eat thawed frozen shrimp raw? ›
Do not eat raw shrimp because the risk of food poisoning is very high. Therefore, it is necessary to cook shrimp to eat them safely. As improper harvesting, handling and storage techniques can increase the risk of contamination, it is best to purchase high-quality shrimp from a reputable source.
Can I throw frozen shrimp in soup? ›
This frozen seafood soup recipe uses up all of that frozen seafood that has been sitting in your freezer, and puts it to good use! Frozen fish fillets, frozen shrimp, and any other frozen seafood that you have, gets tossed into this one-pot creamy soup.
Can food be thawed submerged in running water? ›
Food can also be thawed by placing the frozen food under cool running water. The food item or items must be placed in a rimmed container such as a pot or bowl. The food must be completely submerged under potable running water at a temperature of 70°F or below.
Can you defrost prawns under running water? ›
Put in bowl, run under cold water until defrosted, transfer to sieve, allow to drain.
Can you let shrimp sit in water? ›
In order to ensure spoilage does not occur, shrimp are best defrosted overnight in the refrigerator, ideally in a colander so they don't sit in excess water.
Should shrimp be frozen in water? ›
Heavy-duty containers work better than plastic freezer bags because the shells don't pierce the plastic. Freezing shrimp in water prevents freezer burn and dry-out, and retains flavor and texture. Shell and de-vein the shrimp after they defrost.
