Hey there! I’m John from BoatBasin Cafe, and today I’m gonna share my tried-and-true methods for cooking frozen shrimp. After years of working in professional kitchens, I’ve figured out exactly how to get juicy, flavorful shrimp every single time – no thawing needed!
Why Cook Frozen Shrimp?
Listen, I know what you’re thinking – shouldn’t I thaw the shrimp first? But here’s the thing: cooking directly from frozen often gives you better results! The frozen moisture helps keep the shrimp juicy, and you’re less likely to end up with that dreaded rubbery texture.
Picking the Right Frozen Shrimp
Before we dive into cooking methods, here’s what to look for:
- Get IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) shrimp – they cook more evenly
- Avoid bags with lots of ice crystals (means they’ve been thawed/refrozen)
- Medium to large sized shrimp work best
- Peeled and deveined saves prep time
6 Foolproof Ways to Cook Frozen Shrimp
1. Air Fryer Method (My Personal Favorite!)
This is honestly my go-to method these days Here’s what you’ll need
Ingredients:
- Frozen shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Seasonings of choice
Steps
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Toss frozen shrimp with oil and seasonings
- Cook 8-10 minutes for large shrimp, 5-6 minutes for small
- Shake basket halfway through
2. Stovetop Boiling
Steps:
- Fill pot ¾ full with water
- Bring to rolling boil
- Add seasonings (salt, peppercorns, bay leaves)
- Drop in frozen shrimp
- Cook 2-3 minutes for small shrimp, 3-4 for large
- Drain when pink and floating
3. Pan Frying
Steps:
- Heat oil/butter in pan
- Add aromatics (garlic, shallots) if desired
- Add frozen shrimp
- Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Season to taste
4. Oven Broiling
Steps:
- Preheat broiler on high
- Season shrimp
- Arrange on baking sheet
- Broil 5-8 minutes until pink
- Don’t overcrowd the pan!
5. Instant Pot
Steps:
- Place steamer basket in pot
- Add frozen shrimp
- Pressure cook on high for 0 minutes
- Quick release when done
- Season and serve
6. Traditional Steaming
Steps:
- Bring 1 inch water to boil
- Place steamer basket
- Add frozen shrimp
- Steam 5-6 minutes
- Season when done
Quick Cooking Time Reference
| Method | Small Shrimp | Large Shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 5-6 mins | 8-10 mins |
| Boiling | 2-3 mins | 3-4 mins |
| Pan Frying | 3-4 mins | 4-5 mins |
| Broiling | 5-6 mins | 7-8 mins |
| Steaming | 4-5 mins | 5-6 mins |
Pro Tips for Perfect Shrimp
- Don’t overcook! Shrimp are done when they’re pink and opaque
- Season generously – shrimp love flavor
- For extra crispy results, pat dry before seasoning
- Watch closely – shrimp cook fast!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan/basket
- Cooking at too low temperature
- Forgetting to flip/shake during cooking
- Overcooking (seriously, don’t do it!)
Wrapping Up
There ya have it – everything you need to know about cooking frozen shrimp! Trust me, once you get the hang of these methods, you’ll never stress about dinner again. Frozen shrimp are seriously a lifesaver on busy nights.
Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our other cooking guides here at BoatBasin Cafe.
Happy cooking!
Note: Times may vary depending on your specific appliance and shrimp size. Always check for doneness by looking for pink, opaque flesh.
What Ingredients Are Needed
While I love making a variety of shrimp dishes and cooking shrimp in different ways (as I’ll discuss later on), sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics. For my classic frozen shrimp recipe, I use the following main ingredients:
- Frozen shrimp (thawed): I use medium, frozen, deveined shrimp (which means the main central vein is removed). You can use either tail-on or peeled shrimp!
- Smoked paprika: I personally love using smoked paprika for this shrimp recipe. It gives the shrimp an extra layer of flavor and adds some spice to the dish. If I don’t have smoked paprika on hand, I can always opt for standard paprika instead.
- My classic seasoning mixture: I combine garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and kosher salt to create a savory, earthy flavor profile.
- Butter: Butter adds richness when cooking shrimp. You can also substitute the butter with olive oil, if desired, for dietary needs or flavor preference.
See the list of full ingredients with exact amounts in the recipe card below.
Time to Get Cooking
Once the shrimp are thawed and you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start sautéing them on the stovetop. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to perfectly cook frozen shrimp:
- Place the shrimp in a large bowl of very cold water for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. (After 15 minutes, rinse off any remaining ice.)
- Pat the shrimp completely dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
- In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through.
- Spritz with lemon juice from the wedges and serve immediately.
This frozen shrimp recipe is pescatarian and dairy-free with olive oil.
“This was the best shrimp recipe! So easy, quick & delicious!”
– Valorie
How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
How should I cook my 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.
Do I need to thaw my frozen shrimp before cooking?
Yes – thawing shrimp before you use them in your meal prep will give you a tastier end result. Cooking frozen shrimp won’t harm you, but the texture won’t be as appetising as if you cook from thawed. If time allows, leave your shrimp in the fridge overnight to thaw.Jul 24, 2023
Is it better to steam or boil frozen shrimp?
Steaming, instead of boiling, is a more gentle method of cooking shrimp. You’re less likely to overcook them, and they will be much more flavorful. (Boiling shrimp leads to a watered down flavor and rubbery texture. No thank you!)
What can I do with a bag of frozen shrimp?
- 01 of 10. Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. …
- 02 of 10. Shrimp Burritos. …
- 03 of 10. Spicy Sambal Shrimp. …
- 04 of 10. Garlic Shrimp Kabobs. …
- 05 of 10. Shrimp Soup. …
- 06 of 10. Colleen’s Slow Cooker Jambalaya. …
- 07 of 10. Singapore Noodle Curry Shrimp. …
- 08 of 10. Sautéed Shrimp with Spinach.
How do you cook frozen shrimp?
Boiling shrimp is a quick and easy way to cook frozen shrimp, making them perfect for shrimp cocktail or sushi rolls. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add salt, pepper, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, and bay leaves to the water and stir. Add thawed shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp turns gray to pink.
Can you cook frozen shrimp in the same water?
If you boiled your frozen shrimp to finish thawing them, you can skip straight to cooking them in the same water. Bring your water to a high boil. Position the pot on one of your stove’s central burners and turn it on to medium-high heat. When the water begins to bubble steadily, it will be time to put in your shrimp.
Can you cook frozen shrimp on the stove?
You can cook frozen shrimp on the stove through the simple process of boiling. Step 1: Put a large pot on the stove and fill it ¾th part with water. You may like to fill it with hot tap water to reduce the boiling time. Step 2: On medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil.
Can cooked shrimp be frozen?
Yes, cooked shrimp can be frozen for later use. To do so, allow the shrimp to cool down to room temperature after cooking. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag to minimize exposure to air, preventing freezer burn.
Can You boil frozen shrimp?
Rinse your frozen shrimp under cold running water to remove any impurities or debris. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This helps the shrimp cook more evenly and prevents them from becoming tough or rubbery. Now that your frozen shrimp are prepared, it’s time to boil them. Here are the steps to follow:
Can you cook frozen shrimp with a shell?
Cooking frozen shrimp with shell protects the texture of the shrimp and also helps to lock in the moisture and flavor, resulting in succulent shrimp. Just add salt and pepper seasoning to a large bowl and toss in the frozen shrimp with the shell. Heat a pan on the stove and add a couple of tablespoons of oil.