Hey there! I’m Brent from TheCookingBooks, and today we’re gonna tackle one of the most common kitchen questions I get asked – how long should you cook already cooked shrimp? I’ve messed up plenty of shrimp dishes before figuring this out, so let me share what I’ve learned to help you avoid rubbery, overcooked shrimp!
Quick Answer
Pre-cooked shrimp only needs gentle reheating for 1-2 minutes – any longer and you’ll end up with tough, rubbery shrimp. The key is to warm them through without actually “cooking” them again since they’re already cooked!
Different Methods to Heat Pre-Cooked Shrimp
1. Boiling Method
- Fill pot with water (2 quarts per pound of shrimp)
- Bring to gentle simmer (not rolling boil)
- Add shrimp and heat for just 30-60 seconds
- Immediately drain and cool in ice water
2. Sautéing Method
- Heat pan on medium-low
- Add butter or oil
- Toss shrimp in for 1-2 minutes until warm
- Remove as soon as they’re heated through
3. Steaming Method
- Set up steamer basket over simmering water
- Place shrimp in basket
- Steam 2-3 minutes max
- Remove promptly when warm
Size Matters! Heating Times by Shrimp Size
| Shrimp Size | Count per Pound | Heating Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 41-50 | 30-45 seconds |
| Medium | 31-40 | 45-60 seconds |
| Large | 21-30 | 1-1.5 minutes |
| Jumbo | 16-20 | 1.5-2 minutes |
| Colossal | Under 15 | 2-2.5 minutes |
How to Tell When Pre-Cooked Shrimp is Properly Heated
Your reheated shrimp should be:
- Warm throughout but not hot
- Still slightly curved (C-shape)
- Still firm but not rubbery
- Still pink/orange in color
Common Mistakes to Avoid (I’ve Made These!)
-
Overcooking – This is the biggest no-no! Pre-cooked shrimp are already cooked, so you just wanna warm them up
-
Using High Heat – Keep it gentle, folks! High heat will toughen them up real quick
-
Not Watching Carefully – These little guys heat up super fast – don’t walk away!
-
Skipping the Ice Bath – If boiling, you gotta stop the cooking process with an ice bath
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Always thaw frozen pre-cooked shrimp in the fridge overnight
- Pat them dry before reheating to prevent mushiness
- Season AFTER heating to prevent drawing out moisture
- Consider serving cold in shrimp cocktails – no heating needed!
Best Ways to Use Pre-Cooked Shrimp
We love using pre-cooked shrimp in:
- Cold shrimp cocktails
- Quick pasta dishes
- Seafood salads
- Stir-fries (add at very end)
- Quick tacos
- Rice bowls
Storage Tips
After reheating:
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
- Store in airtight container
- Use within 3-4 days
- Don’t reheat more than once
FAQ About Cooking Pre-Cooked Shrimp
Q: Can I grill pre-cooked shrimp?
A: Yep! Just 30 seconds per side to warm through.
Q Should I season before or after heating?A After! This keeps ’em from getting watery,
Q Can I add them straight to hot dishes?A You betcha! The heat from the dish will warm them nicely
Final Thoughts
Remember, when it comes to pre-cooked shrimp, less is more! You’re just warming them up, not cooking them again. Trust me, I’ve ruined enough shrimp to know – watching them like a hawk for those first couple minutes is key!
Got any other shrimp cooking questions? Drop ’em in the comments below! I’d love to hear your experiences with cooking pre-cooked shrimp too – what worked and what didn’t?
Happy cooking!
-Brent
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our other seafood cooking guides for more tips and tricks!
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