Listen up seafood lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years, and lemme tell you – steaming frozen shrimp doesn’t have to be complicated Today I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about getting perfectly steamed shrimp straight from the freezer.
The Quick Answer
When steaming frozen shrimp, it typically takes 6-8 minutes, just a bit longer than fresh shrimp which takes 4-6 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your shrimp and how many you’re cooking at once
What You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Steamer basket
- 1 pound frozen shrimp (about 20-25 large shrimp)
- Water
- Ice bath materials
- Slotted spoon
Step-by-Step Guide to Steaming Frozen Shrimp
1. Prep Your Steaming Setup
- Place steamer basket in large pot
- Add 1 inch of water (keep 2 inches between basket & water)
- Cover & bring water to boil on high heat
2. Add the Shrimp
- Reduce heat to medium
- Add frozen shrimp to basket
- Give ’em a little stir if they’re stuck together
3. Steam Those Bad Boys
- Cover pot
- Steam for 6-8 minutes
- Watch for color change – they should be bright pink
- They’re done when opaque & cooked through
4. Ice Bath Time
- While shrimp are steaming, prepare ice water bath
- Transfer shrimp to ice bath using slotted spoon
- Let em chill for 5 mins to stop cooking
- Drain well
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
Ya know what’s cool? You don’t actually need to thaw frozen shrimp before steaming! But here are some things I’ve learned that’ll help you nail it:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – shrimp need space to cook evenly
- Keep an eye on the color change – it’s your best indicator
- If you ain’t got a steamer basket, you can poach them instead
- Wild American shrimp is usually better than farmed stuff
- Look for preservative-free frozen shrimp when possible
No Steamer Basket? No Problem!
If you’re like “help, I don’t have a steamer basket!” don’t worry fam. Here’s what I do:
- Bring water to low simmer
- Poach shrimp for about 4 mins
- Check if they’re pink & firm
- Turn off heat
- Cover & let stand 2 mins
- Drain & enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Cooked shrimp can be frozen but tbh it’s better to keep uncooked ones frozen until needed
- Store cooked shrimp in fridge up to 3 days
- Use quickly for best flavor & texture
What Can I Make with Steamed Shrimp?
OMG, so many things! Here’s some of my fave ways to use steamed shrimp:
- Shrimp cocktail (classic!)
- Fresh spring rolls
- Shrimp ceviche
- Cream cheese shrimp dip
- Shrimp and avocado salad
- Bang bang shrimp pasta
- Chow mein
- Shrimp Louie salad
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen, we’ve all been there. Here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t overcook – nobody likes rubbery shrimp
- Don’t skip the ice bath – it stops the cooking process
- Don’t steam too many at once
- Don’t forget to check water level
Final Thoughts
Steaming frozen shrimp is actually super easy once you get the hang of it. The key things to remember are:
- 6-8 minutes for frozen
- Watch for that pink color
- Ice bath is your friend
- Don’t overcrowd
Now get out there and steam some shrimp! And hey, if you mess up the first time, no biggie – we’ve all been there. Just keep at it and you’ll be a shrimp-steaming pro in no time!
Would you like me to explain anything in more detail? Drop a comment below – I’m always happy to help fellow seafood lovers!
Old Bay Seasoning (For Beginners )
Old Bay is one of those well known spices, around for generations, that is ubiquitous with seafood, particularly crab and shrimp recipes. It’s a savory, slightly spicy blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and other herbs and spices.
Ever go to a crab or shrimp boil? The seafood was likely seasoned generously with Old Bay. Same with luscious jumbo lump crab cakes — there’s always Old Bay included.
Here’s the thing: it’s salty — just enough to make you crave something cold and refreshing, like a beer, a glass of Riesling, or crisp Prosecco.
We love serving these with homemade cocktail sauce (ketchup, horseradish, lemon, Worcestershire) and fresh lemon, or try my twist on cocktail sauce with gin for a fun variation.
What To Do With Leftover Steamed Shrimp
Leftover steamed shrimp make a fantastic homemade shrimp salad — just chop and mix with mayo, vinegar, shallot, cayenne, and Old Bay — or toss it with boiled potatoes for a flavorful twist on potato salad — this was my go-to last summer!
Enjoy leftover shrimp salad on its own, in a wrap, stuffed into a bun, over greens, or scooped onto crackers — a light and easy lunch!
How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
What to add to water when steaming shrimp?
How to steam: Instead flavoring your boiling water, marinade the shrimp for about an hour in some garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, old bay, and chopped parsley (or anything combination you like). Then steam them with some sliced lemons. They will be the most flavorful shrimp you have ever had.
Do shrimp need to be thawed before steaming?
Do I need to thaw them before I start cooking? Yes – thawing shrimp before you use them in your meal prep will give you a tastier end result.Jul 24, 2023
How to know when shrimp are done steaming?
As shrimp cooks, it curves into the shape of a ‘C’. The flesh will turn opaque with a pearly pink hue, and the tails will turn bright red. Check to make sure all the greyness is gone. Shrimp (depending on size) typically takes about 4 to 5 minutes to cook.
How long do you cook fully 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.