Hey there! I’ve been cooking with woks for years, and lemme tell you – the question of cooking frozen shrimp in a wok comes up ALL the time in my cooking classes. So today, I’m gonna break it down for ya and share everything I’ve learned about this common kitchen dilemma.
Quick Answer: Yes, you technically can cook frozen shrimp in a wok, but should you? Probably not for the best results. Let me explain why and show you how to do it right!
Why You Shouldn’t Cook Frozen Shrimp Directly in a Wok
Listen up, because this is super important:
- Frozen shrimp contains excess moisture that’ll turn your stir-fry into a soggy mess
- The ice crystals will make the oil splatter (ouch!)
- Uneven cooking – outside might be done while inside stays raw
- Harder to get that perfect texture we’re all looking for
- Dilutes all those yummy flavors we want in our dish
The Right Way to Prep Your Shrimp
Here’s what I always do instead
Method 1: Overnight Thawing (Best Method)
- Place frozen shrimp in the fridge
- Let it thaw overnight
- Pat dry with paper towels before cooking
Method 2: Quick Thaw Method (When You’re in a Hurry)
- Put shrimp in a colander
- Run cold water over them for 5-10 minutes
- Drain and pat dry thoroughly
My Tried-and-True Wok Cooking Method
Once your shrimp is thawed here’s how to cook them perfectly
- Heat your wok until it’s smoking hot
- Add 2 tbs vegetable oil
- Add seasoned shrimp in a single layer
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Remove when they’re pink and slightly curled
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Don’t overcrowd the wok – cook in batches if needed
- Season shrimp before cooking (I like salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder)
- Keep the heat high – we want to sear, not steam
- Remove shrimp as soon as they turn pink – overcooking makes them rubber-band chewy!
Simple Stir-Fry Sauce Recipe
Mix together:
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tbs soy sauce
- 1 tbs fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbs chili-garlic sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Common Mistakes (I’ve Made Them All!)
- Using too low heat
- Overcrowding the wok
- Not patting shrimp dry enough
- Cooking for too long
- Adding sauce too early
When to Actually Cook Frozen Shrimp (Emergency Situations)
If you absolutely MUST cook frozen shrimp, here’s how:
- Add extra oil to prevent sticking
- Cook at slightly lower heat
- Expect longer cooking time
- Keep stirring to prevent uneven cooking
- Be prepared for less-than-perfect results
Veggie Combos That Work Great
Try these with your shrimp:
- Bell peppers + snow peas
- Broccoli + carrots
- Mushrooms + baby corn
- Bean sprouts + bok choy
Storage Tips
Made too much? Here’s what to do:
- Store cooked shrimp in airtight container
- Keep in fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat quickly in wok with a splash of oil
- Don’t microwave (gets rubbery!)
The Bottom Line
While you can cook frozen shrimp in a wok, taking a few extra minutes to thaw them properly will give you WAY better results. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you! The texture will be better, the flavors will be stronger, and you’ll end up with restaurant-quality stir-fry right in your own kitchen.
Remember, good cooking isn’t just about getting food on the table – it’s about making something delicious that you’re proud to serve. So take that extra time to thaw your shrimp, and I promise you won’t regret it!
Shrimp stir fry FAQ
With your tasty shrimp stir fry ingredients ready to go, you might still have a few queries when it comes to the recipe. Weve answered a few common questions in our short FAQ below.
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Youve just got home from work. Youre busy, youre tired, and youre hungry. What can you make? How about cooking up a delicious, quick, and easy shrimp stir fry? Our stir fry shrimp recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, but we guarantee its absolutely packed full of flavor, spice, and taste!
Take the hassle out of cooking with this recipe. All you need are shrimp, a few spices and veggies, and a dependable cast iron wok. Gather your ingredients, heat up your wok, and lets get this stir fry show on the road!
This quick and easy recipe will teach you how to make shrimp stir fry to impress everyone you know! star
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- 1 lb of medium-sized shrimp (raw, peeled, and thawed shrimp work best. Frozen shrimp can also be used)
- 2 medium-sized bell peppers (pick your favorite color!) *
- 2 cups of snow peas*
- 2 tbs vegetable oil (or similar oil, with a similar smoke point)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp of toasted sesame seeds (not vital, but definitely tasty!)
- 1/4 cup of water
- 3 tbs soy sauce
- 1 tbs fresh ginger (grated or ground ginger is best)
- 1 tbs of spicy sambal oelek (or Asian chile-garlic sauce is just as delicious, too)
- 2 tsp of toasted sesame oil
- White or brown rice (this adds to the cooking time of course)
- Egg noodles (these make a great alternative to rice)
- Soy sauce or other dipping sauces of your choice
- Prawn crackers
- Spring rolls
Main shrimp stir fry ingredients
Shrimp stir fry sauce ingredients
Optional ingredients for serving
- Add your water, soy sauce, ginger, and sambal sauce together in a mixing bowl.
- Add your toasted sesame oil.
- Stir together until they are thoroughly mixed. Leave to the side, within easy reach for later.
- Using a sharp knife and a chopping board, slice your bell peppers into thin strips, which are easier to stir fry.
- Take your snow peas and trim them down to size.
- Season your shrimp to taste, with salt and pepper.
- Preheat your cast iron wok on the stovetop. This may take a few minutes. (You will know that it is hot enough when drops of water steam on the surface.)
- When the wok is preheated to a suitable temperature, add in the vegetable oil.
- Immediately after, spread your shrimp across the bottom of the wok and allow them to stir fry for no more than 2 min. Remove them from the wok, and set them aside for later.
- Throw in the bell peppers and snow peas (or your other vegetables of choice). If youre learning how to stir fry, be gentle and keep them cooking in the bottom for a maximum of 2 min, until they are soft but start to crisp.
- Take your partially cooked shrimp and place them back into the bottom of the wok with the vegetables and oil.
- At the same time, add in your premixed stir fry sauce to the wok. Make sure all your ingredients are coated and mixed together.
- Allow the shrimp, sauce, and vegetables to cook together for no more than 2 min.
- Remove the ingredients from the wok, drizzle with sesame seeds, and add the finished stir fry to your rice or noodles. Serve with your optional ingredients (rice, noodles, etc.)!
*The great thing about quick shrimp recipes, is that you can add in the vegetables of your choice. Bell peppers and snow peas are just a suggestion here, but you feel free to add in your other favorite stir fry veggies too. You could try beansprouts, broccoli, chilis, mushrooms, and much more.
How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
How do you cook frozen shrimp in a wok?
Add 1 TBSP oil to a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat. Let the oil get nice and hot so it’s glistening, and add the shrimp. Let cook for about 30-45 seconds per side, then remove to a plate. It’s okay if they aren’t fully cooked, as they will finish cooking when they’re added back to the pan at the end.
Should you thaw frozen shrimp before stir frying?
If using frozen seafood, it’s best to thaw and defrost before cooking. This is because the frozen seafood tends to have an icy glaze over them and would release too much liquid in a stir-fry if cooking directly from frozen and dampen the texture.
What is the best way to cook frozen 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.