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15 Delicious Ways to Use Up That Bag of Cooked Shrimp (No More Boring Leftovers!)

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Hey there! Got a bag of cooked shrimp sitting in your fridge and not sure what to do with it? Don’t worry – I’ve been there too! After countless experiments in my kitchen, I’ve discovered some amazing ways to transform those pre-cooked shrimp into mouthwatering meals. Let me share my favorite recipes and tips that’ll make you excited about your shrimp leftovers!

Quick Recipe Ideas for Your Cooked Shrimp

1. Fresh and Light Options

  • Vibrant Shrimp Salads

    • Toss with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado
    • Add mango and red onion for tropical flair
    • Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette
    • Perfect for hot summer days!
  • Lettuce Wraps

    • Fill crisp lettuce leaves with shrimp
    • Add matchstick carrots and cilantro
    • Dress with sesame-soy sauce
    • Super healthy and low-carb!

2. Comfort Food Favorites

  • Creamy Pasta Dishes

    • Shrimp scampi with garlic butter sauce
    • Alfredo with parmesan and herbs
    • Cold pasta salad with fresh veggies
    • Pro tip: Add a splash of white wine to the sauce!
  • Rice-Based Meals

    • Quick shrimp fried rice
    • Jambalaya with andouille sausage
    • Risotto with lemon and parmesan
    • Tip: Day-old rice works best for fried rice!

Easy Appetizers for Entertaining

  1. Classic Shrimp Cocktail

    • Arrange on ice with cocktail sauce
    • Add lemon wedges and fresh parsley
    • Perfect party starter!
  2. Bang Bang Shrimp

    • Toss in creamy sriracha sauce
    • Serve over shredded cabbage
    • Sprinkle with green onions
  3. Shrimp Deviled Eggs

    • Mix with mayo and Dijon
    • Pipe into egg white halves
    • Garnish with paprika

Satisfying Main Dishes

Taco Night Ideas

  1. Shrimp Tacos

    Ingredients:- Cooked shrimp- Corn tortillas- Shredded cabbage- Lime wedges- Avocado slices- Fresh cilantro
  2. Shrimp Fajitas

    • Sauté peppers and onions
    • Warm tortillas
    • Serve with guacamole
    • Don’t forget the lime!

Soup and Stews

  • Quick Shrimp Bisque
  • Gumbo with okra
  • Asian-style ramen

Storage Tips for Leftover Cooked Shrimp

To keep your shrimp fresh:

Storage Method Duration Temperature
Refrigerator 3-4 days Below 40°F
Freezer 6 months 0°F or below

Pro Tips for Working with Cooked Shrimp

  1. Reheating Without Rubbery Texture

    • Microwave in short bursts
    • Add moisture (butter or sauce)
    • Don’t overcook!
  2. Flavor Boosting Ideas

    • Garlic and butter
    • Citrus zest
    • Fresh herbs
    • Spicy seasonings

Creative Fusion Dishes

  1. Asian-Inspired

    • Shrimp spring rolls
    • Stir-fry with veggies
    • Curry with coconut milk
  2. Mediterranean Style

    • Greek salad with feta
    • Garlic and olive oil pasta
    • Lemony quinoa bowls

Quick Sandwich Ideas

  • Shrimp Po’ Boys

    • French bread
    • Remoulade sauce
    • Lettuce and tomato
    • Pickles optional!
  • Cold Shrimp Rolls

    • Split-top buns
    • Mayo-based filling
    • Celery and herbs
    • New England style!

My Personal Favorite Recipe

Here’s my go-to quick dinner with cooked shrimp:

15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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What you'll need:- 1 lb cooked shrimp- 8 oz pasta- 4 cloves garlic- 1/2 cup butter- Parsley- Lemon- Salt & pepperSteps:1. Cook pasta al dente2. Sauté garlic in butter3. Add shrimp to warm4. Toss with pasta5. Finish with lemon & herbs

Wrapping Up

See? That bag of cooked shrimp can be your ticket to so many amazing meals! I love having it on hand for quick dinners or last-minute entertaining. The key is getting creative and not being afraid to experiment with different flavors.

What’s your favorite way to use cooked shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas and add them to my recipe collection!

P.S. Don’t forget to save this post for the next time you’ve got leftover shrimp in the fridge!


Need more cooking inspiration? Check out our other seafood recipes and quick dinner ideas on the blog!

#recipes #shrimp #quickmeals #cooking #seafood

what can i do with a bag of cooked shrimp

Shrimp is more versatile than you think

Shrimp burgers anyone? That’s what Milk Street’s director of recipes and products Matthew Card calls these 20-minute Curried Shrimp Cakes, which are equally at home on a bun or beside a salad. Shrimp is also my favorite quick-cooking protein to add to rice dishes, like this lemon-y rich risotto (we make it ultra-creamy with an added egg yolk), and this one-pot Greek-Style Spinach Rice with Shrimp. A few more of our favorite shrimp dishes, in no particular order:

  • Corn with Shrimp, Chilies, and Scallions: Our rendition of Vietnamese bắp xào tôm khô, or stir-fried corn with dried shrimp. You should bookmark it for summer corn season (but you can enjoy it now with frozen corn).
  • Aguachile Negro: A ceviche-like combination of fresh seafood and a sauce of chilies, lime, and water that gives the dish its name. Aguachile negro, specifically, derives its dark, inky color from soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi.
  • Ramen Salad with Shrimp and Scallions: A delicious pared-down version of Japanese hiyashi chuka, or cold ramen noodles with various toppings. This recipe calls for seasoned rice vinegar, which is flavored with sugar and salt; it’s a three-in-one ingredient and a simple way to make a well-seasoned dressing.

And for the best shrimp cocktail, don’t overthink the sauce: Grab a bottle of Heinz cocktail sauce, then add a few dashes of Worcestershire and stir in our Fresh Horseradish Sauce until it’s a shade or two lighter. Pair with a dry martini, and you’ve got a perfect spring supper.

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Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. And if youre looking for more Milk Street, check out our livestream cooking classes with our favorite chefs, home cooks and friends for global recipes, cooking methods and more.

Switch things up with simple sauces

I don’t know what marketing team decided tuna was the “chicken of the sea,” but I think that title should go to shrimp. Not because because shrimp looks or tastes anything like poultry—it doesn’t—but they both function as veritable blank canvases, and take well to a wide range of seasonings and sauces. Our Broiled Ginger and Yogurt Shrimp is tender and tangy-sweet, with a light smokiness and gentle zing from a combination of grated ginger, paprika, and lemon zest. Moroccan Harissa Garlic Shrimp—based on crevettes pil pil that home cook Houda Mehdi demonstrated for us in her kitchen in Fes, Morocco—is stewy and spicy, with cloves, cumin, and coriander, sweet-tart tomatoes, bright lemon, and cilantro. And our Shrimp in Poblano Chili and Cilantro sauce (inspired by the classic Mexican fish dish pescado en salsa poblano) is earthy, verdant, and surprisingly creamy, with moderately-spicy peppers pureed with cilantro, alliums, and Mexican crema. Then there is the shrimp I will not shut up about: Grilled Gochujang Shrimp with Scallions. It’s a perfect shrimp dish. Sweet, spicy, tangy, and packed with umami—I make it at least once a week, and think everyone should do the same.

How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com

FAQ

Can you save leftover cooked shrimp?

Properly stored, cooked shrimp will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked shrimp, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.

What is cooked shrimp good for?

  • Shrimp is a popular type of crustacean (shellfish) that can be healthy since it’s low in calories and high in protein. …
  • Choosing protein from shrimp over some other types of animal protein may lower mortality risk. …
  • Shrimp is also a source of astaxanthin, which is an antioxidant.

How to use a bag of frozen shrimp?

Instructions
  1. Make a Cajun spice blend for the shrimp. …
  2. Preheat the oven and a baking sheet. …
  3. Rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove ice crystals. …
  4. Season the shrimp. …
  5. Broil the shrimp on the preheated baking sheet. …
  6. Broil for 5 minutes.

How long will pre-cooked shrimp last in the refrigerator?

Cooked shrimp can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. If you need to reheat them, we recommend using the method they were originally cooked with. When reheating, use a lower temperature to avoid overcooking. You can also add a little water, fat or liquid that the shrimp was originally cooked in.

What can I do with already cooked shrimp?

There are several quick and easy recipes you can whip up using already cooked shrimp. One popular option is shrimp tacos, where you can simply toss the shrimp with some taco seasoning, warm them up in a skillet, and serve them in soft tortillas with your favorite toppings like avocado, salsa, and shredded cabbage.

What to do with leftover shrimp?

Start by sautéing some veggies in a bit of oil, then add cooked fried rice and leftover shrimp. Give it a good stir and you’re done! If you want to make this dish even more hearty, you can add some diced chicken or pork. Leftover shrimp fried rice is a great way to use up those pesky shrimp leftovers! 5. Crispy Baked Coconut Shrimp

What can you do with boiled shrimp?

Boiled shrimp is one of the most versatile ingredients you can have in your refrigerator. You can use them in salads, soups, sandwiches and pasta. They can also be used as an appetizer or a side dish. If you’re looking for more ways to use it, you’ve come to the right place.

Can you cook too much shrimp for a meal?

If you have ever cooked too much shrimp for a meal, you know that it can be a challenge to come up with new ideas for using them. Leftover shrimp can easily go bad if not properly stored, so it’s important to use them as soon as possible. This article may contain links from our partners. Please read how we make money for more info.

What to eat with shrimp?

Combine the shrimp with cooked pasta, fresh vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, and toss them in a zesty vinaigrette dressing. You can also add some feta cheese or olives for an extra savory kick. This shrimp pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish for your next barbecue.

Can you cook frozen shrimp?

If you’ve got a bag in your freezer, this collection of recipes will show you decadent and delicious ways to cook frozen shrimp, whether on kebabs, in curries, with pasta, and more. “Who needs an expensive restaurant meal when you can make this flavorful meal at home,” says Allrecipes member TheDailyGourmet.

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