When thinking about preparing a delicious meal made with frozen shrimp, it’s important to keep in mind the preparation time and proper method to use when thawing frozen shrimp. Luckily, there are a few different methods that can be used to best serve your needs. Biloxi Shrimp Co. takes pride in providing great-tasting shrimp, all frozen to keep their delicious flavor preserved when they arrive at your doorstep, and all of which can be prepared in our delicious recipes. Here, we share how to properly thaw frozen shrimp.

Thawing Frozen Shrimp Overnight

If you are someone who likes to prepare a meal with plenty of time in advance, then thawing your frozen shrimp the night before might be the option for you. Fortunately, this method requires the least amount of work on your part. Simply take the shrimp out of the freezer and place them in the refrigerator the night before you want to cook them. Allow the frozen shrimp to thaw overnight, or up to 24 hours. To prevent drips, put the frozen shrimp in a bowl or lay them flat on a rimmed baking sheet.

Thawing Frozen Shrimp in 45 Minutes or Less

If you typically don’t decide what you’re having for dinner until the night of, don’t stress! You can still thaw and cook your frozen shrimp in time to enjoy them with dinner. To start, remove the unopened bag of frozen shrimp from the freezer and place it in a large bowl of cold water. Do not use hot water as this will cause the shrimp to cook inside the bag. Use a plate or heavy object to hold the bag down and allow it to thaw, fully submerged, for 45 minutes.

When scrambling last minute trying to figure out how to get your shrimp on the table fast, use this lightning-quick thawing method. Open your package of frozen shrimp and dump them directly into a bowl of cold water. Depending on the size of the shrimp, they will thaw in about 10 to 20 minutes. But be advised: While this method may be effective when you’re in a pinch, it may cause the shrimp to take on excess water.

How to Never Thaw Frozen Shrimp

Under no circumstances should you ever thaw frozen shrimp at room temperature, as this can be extremely dangerous. Thawing frozen shrimp at room temperature will cause the shrimp to enter the temperature danger zone, which is the range between 40°F and 140°F where bacteria grows most rapidly.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Shrimp

Now that your frozen shrimp are properly thawed, it’s time to start cooking! These tips will help you serve up a delicious meal with plump and flavorful shrimp that’s not soggy and bland:

• After thawing, place shrimp in a strainer to allow water to drip through.
• Place shrimp on a paper towel to help absorb any excess water.
• Cook your shrimp in a skillet for a couple of minutes on high heat just until they release more juices. Let the shrimp sit in the skillet without stirring for one minute, then stir quickly and let them cook for another minute. After, remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon.
• Save as much of the shrimp juices as you can as this will amplify your sauce when added to it.
• Once your sauce is done, return the shrimp to the pan to cook through.

Properly Thawing and Cooking Frozen Shrimp Can Make for a Delicious Meal

Allowing your frozen shrimp to properly thaw is essential when preparing a delicious meal. No matter the circumstances, there’s a method to allow you to safely thaw frozen shrimp for you and your family or friends to enjoy. To learn more about thawing and cooking frozen shrimp, contact Biloxi Shrimp Co.

Click here to order mouthwatering wild-caught shrimp straight from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.