Cooking Frozen Steamed Shrimp: A Quick, Easy Guide

Steamed shrimp is a quick and easy dish to make, and it's even simpler when you don't have to worry about defrosting the shrimp first. You can cook frozen shrimp in a variety of ways, including boiling, steaming, poaching, roasting, and air frying. Here's a simple method for steaming frozen shrimp:

First, place a steamer basket inside a large pot and fill the pot with about an inch of water, ensuring at least two inches between the basket and the waterline. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the shrimp to the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through. Finally, transfer the cooked shrimp to an ice water bath to halt the cooking process.

How to Cook Frozen Steamed Shrimp

How to steam frozen shrimp

Steaming shrimp is a great way to get the most flavor out of the crustaceans. It's easy to do with the right tools and yields tender shrimp in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen shrimp:

Preparing the Shrimp

Before steaming, it is best to thaw the shrimp. The best way to do this is to place them in the refrigerator for 12 hours to defrost gradually. If you need to cook them quicker, you can remove the shrimp from their packaging, place them in a strainer in the sink, and let them thaw under cold running water. Once thawed, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess water.

It is also important to pat the shrimp dry before steaming. If you don't, the shrimp will steam instead of cooking.

Setting Up the Steamer

Place a steamer basket inside a large pot. Fill the pot with about one inch of water, making sure there are at least two inches between the bottom of the basket and the waterline. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Steaming the Shrimp

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the shrimp to the steamer basket. Cover the pot and steam the shrimp for 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are opaque and cooked through. You can tell the shrimp are done when the flesh changes from grayish translucent to opaque white. They will also be red, but this can come from any sudden change in temperature and does not necessarily mean they are cooked.

Stopping the Cooking Process

To stop the shrimp from continuing to cook, transfer them to an ice water bath using a slotted spoon. Let them sit in the ice water for about 5 minutes, then drain.

Storing the Shrimp

Steamed shrimp can be stored in a dry container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

How to poach frozen shrimp

Poaching shrimp is a great way to cook them, as it leaves the shrimp plump, juicy, and tender. It's also a very gentle cooking method, so your shrimp won't become chewy.

To poach frozen shrimp, you'll need a medium or large saucepan, depending on the number of shrimp you're cooking. For 12-15 large shrimp, a 3-quart pot should be enough. You'll also need:

• Water
• Salt
• Aromatics like half a lemon, peppercorns, and parsley (optional)

First, fill the pot about 3/4 full of water and add salt. If you want, you can also add aromatics to the water. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the pot, and add the peel and flesh. You can also add peppercorns and parsley.

Next, bring the pot to a rapid boil over high heat. Covering the pot will make it boil sooner. Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and let it stop boiling.

Now, add the frozen shrimp to the pot. Cover the pot and let it sit off the heat for 5-6 minutes for medium-sized shrimp. Jumbo shrimp will take longer, while salad shrimp will cook faster. The shrimp are done when they are opaque and pink with no grey tint.

If you're serving the shrimp cold, prepare an ice bath by putting two cups of ice cubes in a large bowl and filling it halfway with cold water. Drain the shrimp and transfer them to the ice bath for a few minutes before serving.

If you're serving the shrimp warm, simply drain off the hot liquid and serve immediately. You can add them to a sauce, squeeze some lemon over them, or use them in a variety of dishes like pasta, tacos, or salads.

And that's it! You've now learned how to poach frozen shrimp, a quick and easy way to prepare delicious and juicy shrimp for your meals.

How to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound of frozen shrimp (raw, peeled, and deveined)
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon of seafood seasoning (e.g. Old Bay)
• 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• 4 wedges of fresh lemon (optional)
• Oil spray or vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
• While the air fryer is heating up, separate the frozen shrimp and knock off any ice crystals with a spoon.
• Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For even cooking, make sure they aren't overlapping.
• Lightly coat the shrimp with oil spray or brush with melted butter.
• Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, seafood seasoning, and cayenne pepper.
• Air fry for 4 minutes.
• Turn the shrimp over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque.
• Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips:

• No need to defrost the shrimp before cooking.
• Cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the size of the shrimp. Adjust the timing as needed.
• For crispy shrimp, shake or flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process.

How to boil frozen shrimp

Boiling shrimp is a quick and easy way to cook frozen shrimp, making them perfect for shrimp cocktail or sushi rolls. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you boil frozen shrimp to perfection.

Step 1: Prepare the Pot

Start by filling a large pot with water and placing it on the stove. The amount of water you need will depend on the number of shrimp you plan to cook. For a smaller batch of 12-15 large shrimp, a 3-quart pot filled about 3/4 full of water should be sufficient. If you are cooking a larger quantity, use a bigger pot and adjust the water accordingly.

Step 2: Add Seasonings

Before turning on the heat, you can add seasonings to the water to infuse your shrimp with extra flavor. Add a generous pinch of salt, which is essential. You can also add other aromatic ingredients like half a lemon, squeezing the juice into the pot before tossing in the squeezed lemon halves. Additionally, peppercorns and parsley can be included for extra flavor.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on high heat and bring the water to a rapid boil. Covering the pot will help it reach a boil faster.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Add Shrimp

Once the water is boiling vigorously, remove the pot from the heat. This step is crucial because you don't want to continue boiling the shrimp in the next step. At this point, add your frozen shrimp to the pot.

Step 5: Let the Shrimp Poach

Cover the pot and let the shrimp sit in the hot water, poaching in the residual heat. Depending on the number of shrimp and their size, they will need 5-10 minutes to cook thoroughly. For a smaller batch of 12-15 large shrimp, 5-6 minutes should be enough. If you're cooking a larger quantity, they may take up to 10 minutes or slightly longer.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Your shrimp are done when they turn opaque and pink, with a slight curve. You can also cut into one at its thickest part to ensure it's no longer gray and translucent but white and opaque throughout. If they still seem mushy, they may need a little more time.

Step 7: Serve or Cool the Shrimp

If you plan to serve the shrimp warm, drain off the hot liquid and serve immediately. If you're using them for cold dishes like shrimp cocktail, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with two cups of ice cubes and enough cold water to cover the shrimp. Transfer the cooked shrimp to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and let them cool completely before draining and serving.

And that's it! You now know how to boil frozen shrimp to perfection. Enjoy your juicy and tender shrimp in your favorite dishes!

How to broil frozen shrimp

Broiling shrimp is one of the easiest and fastest ways to cook shrimp. You can use frozen shrimp, but you will need to defrost them first. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to broil frozen shrimp:

Defrost the Shrimp:

If your shrimp are frozen, you will need to defrost them before broiling. There are a few ways to do this:

• Place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
• Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl and cover them with cool water. Stir the bowl occasionally to separate any shrimp that are stuck together. The shrimp should defrost in about 15 minutes.
• Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl and cover them with cool water. Replace the water once or twice, and they should defrost in about 5 minutes. Then, place them on paper towels to drain for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Shrimp:

Once your shrimp are defrosted, you can prepare them for broiling:

• Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails on or off, depending on your preference.
• If desired, you can also remove the veins from the shrimp.
• Rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove any ice crystals and separate any shrimp that are stuck together.

Make a Spice Blend:

To add flavour to your shrimp, you can make a spice blend or use a store-bought blend. Here is a simple spice blend you can make at home:

• Combine salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper to taste.
• You can also use other spices like Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, or cumin.
• Toss the shrimp in the spice blend to coat them evenly.

Broil the Shrimp:

Now, you are ready to broil your shrimp:

• Preheat your oven to a high broil setting and adjust the rack to about 6 inches from the heating element.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and place it in the oven to heat up as well.
• Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer on the preheated baking sheet.
• Broil the shrimp for about 3 to 8 minutes, depending on their size, until they are opaque and cooked through.
• Keep a close eye on the shrimp to avoid overcooking, as they cook quickly.
• Rotate the pan as needed for even cooking, as some broilers may have hot spots.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions