Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been experimenting with frozen cooked shrimp lately, and lemme tell you – these little ocean gems are way more versatile than you might think. Today, I’m gonna share my favorite ways to turn that bag of frozen shrimp in your freezer into something spectacular!
First Things First: Thawing Your Shrimp Right
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about thawing – cause nobody wants rubbery shrimp! Here’s how I do it:
The Safe Methods:
- Fridge Method (My go-to):
- Pop them in the fridge for 8-24 hours
- Plan ahead – this is the safest way!
- Cold Water Method (When I’m in a hurry):
- Place shrimp in a sealed ziplock bag
- Submerge in cold water
- Change water every 30 mins
- Takes about 30-60 mins total
Big No-Nos:
- Don’t use the microwave (trust me, I learned this the hard way!)
- Never use warm water
- Avoid room temperature thawing
15 Delicious Ways to Use Frozen Cooked Shrimp
1. Quick Shrimp Scampi (Ready in 10 mins!)
Just sauté some garlic in butter, add white wine, toss in your thawed shrimp, and BAM! Dinner’s ready I love serving this over pasta or with crusty bread
2. Zesty Shrimp Tacos
Mix your shrimp with
- Lime juice
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Fresh cilantro
Top with slaw and avocado – taco Tuesday never tasted so good!
3. Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad
Perfect for picnics! I combine
- Thawed shrimp
- Cooked pasta
- Diced bell peppers
- Red onion
- Creamy dressing
4. Asian-Style Shrimp Fried Rice
This is my go-to weeknight dinner. Just toss in:
- Day-old rice
- Thawed shrimp
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Scrambled eggs
- Soy sauce
5. Southern Shrimp and Grits
Y’all gonna love this comfort food classic! Layer:
- Creamy grits
- Warmed shrimp
- Cheesy sauce
- Green onions
6. Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls
These are super fun to make:
- Rice paper wrappers
- Shrimp
- Fresh veggies
- Herbs
- Peanut dipping sauce
7. Mediterranean Shrimp Salad
Light and fresh:
- Thawed shrimp
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Greek dressing
8. Easy Shrimp Quesadillas
My kids’ favorite! Fill tortillas with:
- Shrimp
- Mexican cheese blend
- Peppers
- Onions
9. Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer
Classic but always a hit:
- Chilled shrimp
- Homemade cocktail sauce
- Lemon wedges
10. Coconut Curry Shrimp Soup
Perfect for chilly days:
- Coconut milk
- Red curry paste
- Shrimp
- Veggies
- Rice noodles
Pro Tips for Best Results
-
Don’t Overcook: Remember, they’re already cooked! Just heat through.
-
Season Well: These shrimp need extra flavor love, so don’t be shy with seasonings.
-
Storage Tips:
- Keep frozen until ready to use
- Use within 3-6 months for best quality
- Once thawed, use within 2-3 days
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp
- Avoid high-heat cooking methods
- Don’t skip the seasoning step
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, frozen cooked shrimp has saved my dinner plans more times than I can count! They’re like having a secret weapon in your freezer – quick to prep, versatile, and always delicious when done right.
Got any questions about cooking with frozen shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below! And if you try any of these ideas, lemme know how they turned out – I’d love to hear your kitchen adventures!
Happy cooking, friends!
Pro Tip: Keep a bag of frozen cooked shrimp in your freezer at all times – they’re perfect for those “Oh snap, what’s for dinner?” moments!
Switch things up with simple sauces
I don’t know what marketing team decided tuna was the “chicken of the sea,” but I think that title should go to shrimp. Not because because shrimp looks or tastes anything like poultry—it doesn’t—but they both function as veritable blank canvases, and take well to a wide range of seasonings and sauces. Our Broiled Ginger and Yogurt Shrimp is tender and tangy-sweet, with a light smokiness and gentle zing from a combination of grated ginger, paprika, and lemon zest. Moroccan Harissa Garlic Shrimp—based on crevettes pil pil that home cook Houda Mehdi demonstrated for us in her kitchen in Fes, Morocco—is stewy and spicy, with cloves, cumin, and coriander, sweet-tart tomatoes, bright lemon, and cilantro. And our Shrimp in Poblano Chili and Cilantro sauce (inspired by the classic Mexican fish dish pescado en salsa poblano) is earthy, verdant, and surprisingly creamy, with moderately-spicy peppers pureed with cilantro, alliums, and Mexican crema. Then there is the shrimp I will not shut up about: Grilled Gochujang Shrimp with Scallions. It’s a perfect shrimp dish. Sweet, spicy, tangy, and packed with umami—I make it at least once a week, and think everyone should do the same.
How to Turn a Bag of Frozen Shrimp Into Dinner Name Email Address Recipient Name Recipient Email Address Personal Message
In addition to frozen corn and some sort of ice cream product, one thing you’ll always find in my freezer is a bag of frozen shrimp. It’s the perfect protein for those “don’t know what to make” evenings, and it pairs with almost any vegetable, starch, or sauce. It’s also astoundingly quick-cooking (and quick-thawing—just follow the instructions on the bag—which is just as important). Our Spanish tapas-inspired
How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
How to prepare already cooked frozen shrimp?
Just thaw them out, drain the water that comes out, dry them thoroughly and toss into the pasta sauce and warm them through for a minute or two. Frozen shrimp is pre cooked and ready to eat. Don’t heat the shrimps for more than a minute or two, just enough time to bring them up to temperature.
What can I do with a bag of frozen cooked shrimp?
You can do tons with frozen shrimp! Put them in tacos, throw them on a salad, add them to a curry sauce with some veggies and put it over rice, drop them in a soup, saute them with some veggies and noodles to make a stir fry. You can skewer them and throw them on the grill for a quick couple of minutes.
Do I need to thaw frozen cooked shrimp before cooking?
Cooking frozen shrimp won’t harm you, but the texture won’t be as appetizing as starting with a thawed or fresh product. If time allows, leave your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Avoid thawing at room temperature as this can also impact texture.
How do you heat up frozen fully cooked shrimp?
- Bring a saucepan of water to a rapid boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat, let it stop boiling, and wait 5 minutes.
- Add frozen shrimp, stir, cover, and wait 5 minutes.
- Drain and serve immediately or stir into a ready-to-serve recipe.