The Right Way to Thaw Frozen Shrimp—Safely and Efficiently

Frozen shrimp are a particularly smart buy because you can stock up on them and keep them on hand for up to a year in the freezer. They are one of the easiest and most delicious proteins for a quick weeknight dinner but also special enough to serve guests as a starter or main dish for dinner parties.

Shrimp defrost quickly—but what’s the right way to thaw frozen shrimp? Here’s how to thaw shrimp safely and efficiently and what to look for when selecting shrimp for your freezer. You’ll also find tips for cooking with frozen shrimp.

Buying Frozen Shrimp

Purchasing frozen shrimp at the grocery store is like buying fresh. There are several decisions to make, some will be determined by the recipe you are making, others by personal preference and your budget.

• Type: Choose between wild-caught or farm-raised shrimp.
• Size: Know how large you want the shrimp to be; a count of 16-20 shrimp means that you get approximately 16-20 jumbo shrimp per pound. By comparison, medium shrimp will come in a count of approximately 41-50 per pound.
• Other choices: Are you shopping for raw or pre-cooked, shell-on or shell-off, and either with the vein or deveined?

Also, check the package before purchasing to know how long you can store them for; most packages of frozen seafood will have a “best buy” date printed on them.

Why Use Frozen Shrimp

Frozen shrimp is great for its versatility and convenience, but also for its flavor. Buying frozen shrimp does not mean that the quality or flavor will be worse than fresh. In fact, it will often taste even fresher because most frozen seafood is flash-frozen on the boat it was caught on, which preserves the fresh-from-the-sea taste.

The Right Way to Thaw Frozen Shrimp

There are two methods that we like, one is slower than the other.

Overnight

If you’re planning dinner in advance, thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator 24 hours before you need to cook with them. Place the frozen shrimp in a bowl or a plastic bag to thaw.

Spur of the Moment

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if you’re in a time crunch, you can defrost shrimp by transferring them to a sealed plastic bag and submerging the bag in cold water; within about 45 minutes, they should be completely thawed.

Recipe-Ready Shrimp

Once they’re thawed, pat each shrimp dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. If you’re using shell-on shrimp, now is the time to peel and devein each one: Remove the head and legs (tail-on or tail-off may be a personal choice), then cut a slit up the back and remove the vein with a paring knife. Then follow your recipe accordingly.

Cooking with Frozen Shrimp

Once you know how to thaw shrimp, you can use this versatile shellfish in so many dishes, everything from paella and tacos to slaw or risotto.

Use defrosted shrimp in any recipe that calls for fresh shrimp. Our Shrimp Burger is a scrumptious twist on the classic raw bar appetizer. You can also fry thawed frozen shrimp for Quick Shrimp Po’boys.

If you want more inspiration, here’s a curated list of our best shrimp recipes. From poached, fried, and sautéed to skewers and stir-fries, there’s something for every crustacean lover.