Hey there! I’m Miguel from EasyCleanCook, and today I’m gonna share everything you need to know about preparing frozen cooked shrimp. After testing countless methods in my kitchen, I’ve figured out the best ways to get those pre-cooked frozen shrimp tasting amazing. Let’s dive right in!
Quick Answer
To prepare frozen cooked shrimp first thaw them properly (either overnight in the fridge or using cold water method) pat them dry, season them, and briefly heat them through using your preferred cooking method. The key is to avoid overcooking since they’re already cooked.
Best Ways to Thaw Frozen Cooked Shrimp
1. Refrigerator Method (Recommended)
- Place shrimp in a bowl
- Cover with plastic wrap
- Leave in fridge for 8-12 hours
- Best for planning ahead
- Maintains best texture and flavor
2. Cold Water Method (Quick Option)
- Place shrimp in sealed plastic bag
- Submerge in cold water
- Change water every 30 minutes
- Takes about 45 minutes
- Great for last-minute meals
3. Quick-Thaw Method (Emergency Only)
- Put shrimp directly in cold water
- Takes 10-20 minutes
- Warning: May make shrimp watery
- Use only when super pressed for time
❌ Never thaw at room temperature or use hot water – this is dangerous and can promote bacterial growth!
Preparation Tips After Thawing
-
Drain & Dry
- Use a colander to drain excess water
- Pat dry with paper towels
- This helps achieve better browning
-
Season Well
- Add salt and pepper
- Try garlic powder, paprika, or Old Bay
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice
- Toss with herbs like parsley
Best Cooking Methods
1. Sautéing (My Favorite!)
1. Heat pan over medium-high heat2. Add butter or oil3. Cook 1-2 minutes per side4. Don't overcrowd the pan2. Oven-Baking
- Preheat to 400°F
- Spread on baking sheet
- Drizzle with oil
- Bake 6-8 minutes
3. Grilling
- Toss with oil and seasonings
- Medium-high heat
- 2-3 minutes per side
- Perfect for summer!
Yummy Recipe Ideas
Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 lb thawed cooked shrimp
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Melt butter, add garlic
- Add shrimp
- Heat 2-3 minutes
- Finish with lemon & parsley
Storage Tips
Keep leftover cooked shrimp
- In fridge: 2-3 days
- In freezer: up to 3 months
- Use airtight containers
- Label with date
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking (makes them rubbery)
- Using high heat
- Not patting dry
- Skipping seasoning
- Microwaving (just don’t!)
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
After messing up plenty of shrimp (trust me, we’ve all been there!), here’s what I’ve learned:
- Save those shrimp juices for sauce
- Season AFTER thawing
- Work in batches if cooking lots
- Let rest 1 minute before serving
Final Thoughts
Preparing frozen cooked shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does need a bit of care to get right. Just remember: thaw properly, pat dry, season well, and heat quickly. Follow these steps, and you’ll have perfectly prepared shrimp every time!
Got questions about preparing your frozen shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to help ya out!
Happy cooking!
Thawing Frozen Shrimp Overnight
If you are someone who likes to prepare a meal with plenty of time in advance, then thawing your frozen shrimp the night before might be the option for you. Fortunately, this method requires the least amount of work on your part. Simply take the shrimp out of the freezer and place them in the refrigerator the night before you want to cook them. Allow the frozen shrimp to thaw overnight, or up to 24 hours. To prevent drips, put the frozen shrimp in a bowl or lay them flat on a rimmed baking sheet.
How to Never Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Under no circumstances 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.
How to cook frozen pre cooked shrimp
FAQ
How do you 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.
Do you have to thaw frozen cooked shrimp before cooking?
Shrimp: Shrimp can be cooked from frozen, but they will cook more evenly if thawed first. If cooking from frozen, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Do you rinse pre-cooked frozen shrimp?
Rinsing cooked shrimp from the store is not necessary unless there are specific reasons, such as removing excess sodium or if there are any noticeable contaminants. Otherwise, it’s generally safe to consume them as is.
Can you eat already cooked frozen shrimp?
1 Answer 1 The frozen pre-cooked shrimp are of course safe to eat if they come from a reputable source. You may wish to cook them a little bit to heat them up to service temperature, and integrate them with a sauce or spices or so on, but you could just peel and eat them if you wanted to.