Many people shy away from cooking recipes with frozen shrimp because they think the result won’t be as tasty. Frozen shrimp can actually be just as delicious as fresh shrimp, especially when cooked into some delicious frozen shrimp recipes.
Whether you want to make kabobs, pasta, or maybe even a curry, don’t be afraid to pull out that bag of frozen shrimp. Not only will your dish be just as delicious, but it’s likely that no one will even notice you have used frozen shrimp in the first place.
Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered, as we have compiled the best frozen shrimp recipes so all you have to do is choose one, collect the ingredients, and start cooking.
Health Benefits of Shrimp
In most cases, buying fresh food is healthier, except when it comes to shrimp. Why is this?
Well, when fishermen catch shrimp, they are frozen right there on the boat. Therefore, they are actually fresher than fresh shrimp, and you have less of a chance of getting a foodborne illness from them.
Additionally, shrimp that are considered “fresh” are typically frozen for transport along the line anyway, meaning you never truly can buy shrimp that is “fresh” and has never been frozen unless you live near the sea.
Now you should still plan to cook your shrimp thoroughly before serving. But just know that it is better to buy them frozen rather than the shrimp that is fresh when shopping.
Here are some additional health benefits you can gain from eating shrimp:
- Lower cholesterol
- Decreases inflammation in the body
- Loaded with Amino Acids
- Low in saturated fat
- Good source of protein
How to Cook Frozen Raw Shrimp Recipes
Once you know how to cook the shrimp, it should be easy to add them to any recipe. If you need a little help with how to do so, here are the steps to cooking a frozen shrimp recipe.
Step 1: Pick a Recipe
Before you start cooking the shrimp, you should select the recipe you will cook. Otherwise, you will now know how much shrimp you will need.
Some recipes require a significant amount of shrimp compared to others.
Step 2: Shop for Ingredients
Depending on the recipe you pick, you may need to head to the store. It’s better to have all the ingredients you need before you start cooking as it can be difficult to stop cooking in the middle.
Step 3: Print the Recipe
It’s also better to have a printed copy of the recipe on hand if you have not yet memorized it. Otherwise, you may run into the problem of trying to scroll on your phone or computer with dirty hands.
Step 4: Start to Cook Frozen Shrimp
Alright, you are now ready to start cooking some frozen shrimp recipes. Just be sure to follow the directions so you achieve the desired result.
Note that some recipes want you to thaw the shrimp before you add them to the recipe while others want you to add them frozen. Double-check your recipe before you begin.
Steps to Cooking Frozen Shrimp
Want to cook some shrimp that has been frozen? It’s super easy and you can have a plate of warm shrimp on the table in just a few minutes. Here’s how you cook frozen raw shrimp.
Ingredients:
- Frozen shrimp
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Step 1: Thaw Shrimp
Put the frozen shrimp in a strainer and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes tossing occasionally. You’ll know the shrimp are thawed when they bend easily.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Heat the oil or butter you intend to use in a large sheet pan over high heat. Ensure the baking sheet is coated with oil or butter.
Step 3: Add the Shrimp
Once the oil or butter is hot, add the shrimp. While you continue cooking, they should start sizzling immediately. Cook frozen shrimp until they are opaque and pink. Usually, this takes about 4-5 minutes total.
Step 4: Season and Serve
When the shrimp are about a minute from being done, add the salt and pepper and toss the shrimp. Once they are done, remove the cooked shrimp from the heat and serve immediately unless you intend to serve them cold.
Cooked frozen shrimp can easily be added to almost any recipe, from salads to kinds of pasta, or even a curry.
How to Steam Frozen Shrimp
Besides just sautéing, you can also steam your shrimp that has been frozen before adding them to a recipe. It’s just as easy as sautéing them, here’s how you do it.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Frozen Raw Shrimp
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Note that steaming frozen raw shrimp can be performed in a steamer or in a rice cooker.
Step 1: Add Water
Add water to your steamer or rice cooker. For a steamer, fill to the reservoir line. For a rice cooker add 1 cup of water for every 2 cups of frozen shrimp you intend to steam.
Step 2: Add Shrimp
Place the frozen raw shrimp in the steaming basket. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Steam the Shrimp
Close the lid and set the timer. Start with 20 minutes, ensuring you check the shrimp at the 10 and 15-minute mark to see if the shrimp is done.
Those using a rice cooker have it easy as the rice cooker should shut off when the food is done.
Step 4: Serve the Shrimp
Once the shrimp is pink and opaque, remove the cooked shrimp from the steamer and serve immediately, or let it cool before adding it to a chilled frozen shrimp dish.
30 Tasty Frozen Shrimp Recipes for Any Occasion
By now, you should be feeling confident with your frozen shrimp cooking abilities, therefore all that’s left is to start picking out some recipes. Below are the best 30 frozen shrimp recipes to get you started.
Easy Frozen Shrimp Recipes
Don’t make it too hard on yourself right away. Instead, start with one of these easy frozen shrimp recipes to test your skills. Chances are you’ll be feeling more confident after making one or two of these.
1. Broiled Shrimp
Broiled shrimp is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be tossed with spices and served with some lemon wedges and a dip. It’ll be so good your guests won’t even know that this is the easiest dish ever to make with shrimp that has been previously frozen.
Follow the directions on Cheap Recipe Blog and you can have this simple dish that beets shrimp cocktail on the table in just 12 minutes.
2. Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Besides broiling, steaming, and sauteing them, frozen shrimp can also be cooked in your air fryer. Check out this recipe on Running to the Kitchen for an easy air fryer recipe using frozen shrimp.
You’ll just need some spices, oil, vinegar, and some tamari to make the crispy coating and this mouth-watering dish is ready to eat.
3. Fried Butterfly Shrimp
Did you know you can make fried shrimp from shrimp that has been frozen? It’s true, use this recipe by Pear Tree Kitchen to make freshly fried shrimp at home in just under an hour.
Start by thawing your shrimp, and dipping in the egg mixture as well as the flour mixture you will make. They’ll need to chill in your fridge for about 30 minutes, then you’ll be cooking the frozen shrimp by frying them in some oil and they’re ready to serve.
Frozen Shrimp Recipes With Pasta
Shrimp isn’t enough for dinner on its own. But if you pair it with some pasta, you can use a frozen shrimp recipe as a one-pan dinner that your whole family will enjoy.
Here are the best frozen shrimp recipes with Pasta.
4. Shrimp Lo Mein
Shrimp Lo Mein is a pasta dish of Asian origin characterized for its savory and sweet taste. Make your own version at home using this frozen shrimp recipe by Lemons for Lulu.
You’ll need to start by cooking the shrimp, but then all you’ll need to do is cook the pasta, sauté the veggies, stir a sauce, then add everything together. Your cooked shrimp lo mein will be ready to eat in just 30 minutes.
5. Shrimp Scampi Fra Diavolo
Love lemon and garlic? Then this recipe from The View From Great Island is for you. It’s made with bucatini, garlic, olive oil, frozen shrimp, white wine, lemon wedges or juice, chili flakes, butter, salt, and black pepper.
You’ll cook the pasta first, then sauté the rest of the ingredients in another pan. When the pasta is done, you’ll add it to the pan with the sauce and cooked shrimp, and dinner is served.
6. Pasta Bake
While taking pasta straight from the pan and putting it on your plate is delicious, you can deepen the flavor profiled even more if you put the dish in the oven for a few minutes.
Follow this recipe from Cuisine Fiend to turn frozen shrimp into a tasty pasta bake in just 50 minutes. Be aware, however, that this recipe calls for you to cook your frozen shrimp in advance.
7. Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is good, but Cajun seasoning shrimp mac and cheese is better. The dish can be made easily using frozen shrimp by following this recipe from Lemons for Lulu.
You will need to thaw frozen shrimp before beginning, but you can throw them in the pan raw along with the other ingredients. There are quite a few steps to this recipe, and you’ll need a cast-iron skillet, but the cooked shrimp result in a Cajun spice blend will be worth it.
Healthy Frozen Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp are a great addition to any diet, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Swap out shrimp in dishes that normally contain chicken or beef for a lower calorie alternative.
Below are some healthy frozen shrimp recipes to give you an idea of where to begin.
8. Shrimp and Broccoli Bake
Unlike a pasta bake, this shrimp and broccoli bake by Living Well Spending Less is an ideal dinner for those looking to eat low carb or that are on the keto diet.
There is no pasta involved, just some panko bread crumbs that can be replaced with an almond flour alternative. Otherwise, you’ll simply be adding broccoli, shrimp, spices, and lemon to a pan, baking it, and your healthy dinner is ready to serve.
9. Garlic Shrimp Cobb Salad
Cobb salad is delicious, and when you swap out some of the traditional ingredients for some shrimp, the result is amazing. Before you start, thaw and cook your frozen shrimp so that they can cool while you prepare the rest of the salad.
By the time you finish the other aspects of the dish, you will have perfectly cooked shrimp, making this an easy meal-prep dinner. Find the full recipe on Lemons for Lulu.
10. Light Shrimp Scampi
Want to enjoy shrimp scampi, but can’t justify all that butter? Make this lighter version of the classic dish by Nutrition in the Kitch which is not only healthy but also dairy and gluten-free.
You’ll be replacing the butter with a pesto sauce, lemon juice, and some nutritional yeast, so you won’t have to worry about sacrificing flavor while you save calories with this tender shrimp recipe.
Instant Pot Frozen Shrimp Recipes
Instant pots are a great invention. You can take raw, even frozen, food and turn it into a meal in minutes, which is especially useful when cooking with frozen shrimp recipes.
Take a look at these next recipes which will help you combine your instant pot with shrimp that has been frozen for some instant dinner magic.
11. Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi
There is nothing like a tasty shrimp scampi on a day when you need a dish to stick to your bones. Try this recipe from Rachel Cooks that calls for cooking frozen shrimp and turning it into this delicious dish in your instant pot in just under 30 minutes.
The best part is, this recipe doesn’t require you to do any thawing of your frozen shrimp.
12. Tomato and Garlic Shrimp
Shrimp is one of the easiest meats to cook with because they take on whatever flavor you cook shrimp in. Meaning you can combine shrimp with tomatoes and chopped garlic to make some delicious morsels you won’t be able to put down.
Do this all in your instant pot when you follow these steps on Instant Pot Eats.
13. Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Soup
Another great thing about instant pots is that they drastically cut down on the cooking time it takes to make a slow-cooked meal like soup, without sacrificing the taste.
Try this recipe from Paint the Kitchen Red which requires cooking frozen shrimp and combining a myriad of tasty ingredients to make a hearty, creamy soup that you can enjoy all winter long.
Recipes Using Frozen Breaded Shrimp
Breaded frozen shrimp isn’t quite as healthy as the fresh alternative, but it’s easier to get the kids to eat something when it is breaded.
Plus, you sometimes just have that craving for something crunchy and these breaded frozen shrimp recipes are sure to do the trick.
14. Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Air frying is an easy way to cook frozen shrimp in a way that will guarantee a crispy and delicious result. If this is your first time cooking air fryer frozen shrimp, follow the directions on Midget Momma to be sure you know exactly how to prepare air fryer frozen shrimp.
After that, serve your air fryer shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce as an appetizer or ready-to-serve main dish.
15. Coconut Shrimp
Coconut breaded frozen shrimp is a tasty variation of the original version and really opens doors when it comes to the dipping sauce options you can serve it with.
Rather than cocktail or ketchup, you can place these on a plate with sweet and sour or sweet chili sauce making this the perfect appetizer for an Asian-themed dinner. Find out how to cook these coconut shrimp onCafe Delites.
Frozen Shrimp Recipes Cooked in an Air Fryer Basket
Air fryer frozen shrimp recipes truly are amazing. They can take a delicious dish and make it taste like it was fried without actual frying.
Thus, you can truly enjoy your shrimp without diminishing the health benefits. Check out these air fryer shrimp recipes which we have hand-picked below.
16. Healthy, Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp
Just because you make it in the air fryer basket doesn’t mean it needs to be breaded. Instead, make this healthy alternative air fryer shrimp recipe following the directions outlined on Melanie Cooks.
You’ll be cooking shrimp without breading, but with a variety of spices to make garlic parmesan, spicy Mexican, or lemon pepper shrimp—whatever flavor your heart desires.
17. Air Fryer Shrimp and Vegetables
The problem with shrimp is, it isn’t enough to be a meal on its own. This means you will need to be cooking a side dish while the shrimp cook in the air fryer basket.
That is unless you make this dish from Air Fryer Fanatics, in which you will be air frying the shrimp with veggies for a well-rounded dinner that can be served in a single bowl.
18. Crispy Air Fryer Basket Shrimp
Of course, you can’t always eat just healthy food. When it’s time to indulge for a night, pull out this recipe from Spend with Pennies to make a delicious crispy version of shrimp in an air fryer basket that your whole family will enjoy.
They’ve got a lemon pepper spice to them, so you can serve them with some lemon wedges and cocktail sauce or a creamy aioli.
Frozen Shrimp Salad Recipes
There will be a day, probably in summer, when all you want is a night light salad for lunch. You may think you need to buy fresh shrimp to add to your salad, but actually, frozen shrimp can work just as well.
Try these frozen shrimp salad recipes and see for yourself.
19. Shrimp Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a crowd-pleaser and it is very easy to add shrimp to it. Follow this recipe from Lemons for Lulu to craft a delicious Caesar salad complete with your own homemade dressing.
You’ll need some mayo, lemon juice, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, quinoa, veggie broth, and of course, some shrimp. Toss it all together and you have an easy and ready-to-eat lunch.
20. Southwest Salad
When you want something a little spicier than Caesar salad, reach for this shrimp recipe from Nutrition in the Kitch which will help you combine rice, beans, corn, and shrimp with a homemade creamy lime dressing that is surprisingly dairy-free.
Just sauté your shrimp, toss the ingredients, add the dressing, then add the shrimp, it’s that simple.
21. Shrimp Avocado Salad
Shrimp and avocado go together like two peas in a pod. Don’t believe us? Try this shrimp salad recipe from Bites of Beri which will have you marinate your thawed shrimp before you sauté them.
While those are cooking, you’ll chop your vegetables and mix your dressing, for a total cooking time of 20 minutes.
Frozen Shrimp Appetizer Recipes
Sometimes you may just want to use shrimp for what they are known for, and this is as an appetizer. Putting out shrimp cocktail can be boring.
So why not wow your guests with the following frozen shrimp appetizer recipes instead?
22. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Looking for something to serve which is both savory and sweet? Look no further than these bacon-wrapped shrimp by Lemons for Lulu.
They are quick to make, easy to pop in the oven, and only require a few ingredients. Better make extra, however, because your guests won’t be able to stop eating these.
23. Mango Chutney Shrimp Salad
Shrimp doesn’t have to always be tossed on greens to make it a salad. In this recipe from Sheri Silver, frozen shrimp is thawed, poached, mixed with some mayo and mango chutney then added to some wonton shells.
The result is an appetizer that is easy to pass around or set out at your next event.
24. Spring Rolls
The only thing easier to eat than a shrimp salad cup is a spring roll. For this spring roll, shrimp is combined with lettuce and veggies, and everything is wrapped tightly in rice paper to keep it all together.
You can find the recipe here on Bellyfull, just be sure to cool your shrimp after you boil them before you roll them into your spring rolls otherwise the rice paper won’t adhere properly.
25. Hot Gouda Shrimp Dip
What is an appetizer table without some sort of dip? Cook your shrimp, mix them in this recipe by Lemons for Lulu, and you will have a hot gouda dip which is absolutely to die for.
It’s recommended to serve this dip with chips. But you could also put it out with veggies, crackers, or even put it in a bread bowl.
Frozen Shrimp Dinner Recipes
Maybe you want shrimp to be the feature of your dinner, not a problem, as there are many ways you can serve shrimp for dinner. Just take a look at some of our favorite frozen shrimp dinner recipes outlined below.
26. Cajun Shrimp Tacos
Cajun shrimp tacos are the shrimp dinner you need to make to hit the spot on that hot summer’s day. Follow the instructions found on Nutrition in the Kitch to make a fresh salsa as well as a homemade crema to spread onto your tacos.
You’ll need a lot of spices for this recipe, and about 25 minutes to mix everything together, but it’s worth it.
27. Mexican Shrimp Skillet
Love the idea of tacos, but need something lower carb? Cook this Mexican skillet shrimp recipe from Family Food on the Table which has many of the same flavor profiles but without all the carbs.
All you need is your shrimp, some spices, onion, a jalapeno, and some bell peppers and you can have this dinner on the table in just 20 minutes.
28. Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits are an all-time favorite frozen shrimp recipe and you can make it too following these directions by Lemons for Lulu.
You’ll start by cooking the grits, then you will sauté your shrimp with your veggies and some butter. Mix it all together with some cheese and cream and you will have a mouthwatering dinner you’ll want to make over and over again.
29. Brazilian Pizza
Beyond being good on a salad and served as an appetizer, shrimp is also amazing when put on pizza. Check out this Brazilian pizza recipe by Went Here 8 This which doesn’t require making any pizza dough because you will be making them from pitas.
You’ll need some spices, and some cheese and veggies, but otherwise, this recipe is the quickest pizza and shrimp cooking method we’ve ever seen and will be ready in just 30 minutes.
30. Garlic Shrimp Alfredo
It isn’t often that someone turns down alfredo, and with this frozen shrimp alfredo recipe from Lemons for Lulu, your family definitely won’t be able to.
Start by cooking your pasta and shrimp, then follow by creating homemade alfredo sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it boils, you can mix in the cheese, pasta, and shrimp and it’s ready to serve.
FAQ
How Long Should You Cook Shrimp that is Frozen?
How long you need to cook frozen shrimp depends on how you are cooking it. Air frying takes 5-10 minutes, boiling takes 2-5 minutes, and sautéed shrimp will take 5-7 minutes.
Can You Marinate Cooked Frozen Shrimp?
It is very easy to marinate frozen shrimp, just be sure you thaw and clean them before you do to allow them to soak up the delicious marinade you have prepared.
Can You Add Frozen Shrimp to Soup Recipes?
Frozen shrimp is perfect for soup, especially if you are making it in the slow cooker. It is, however, recommended to thaw your shrimp before adding them to your soup for best results.
How Much Frozen Shrimp Do You Need Per Person for Recipes?
How much frozen shrimp you need per person per recipe depends on whether you are making an appetizer or a main dish. For an appetizer, you want 2-3 jumbo shrimp per person. For an entrée, you want 4 ounces of frozen shrimp per adult.
Enjoy Cooking With Frozen Shrimp
Now that you know all about the benefits of cooking with frozen shrimp, and all the amazing recipes you can make with them, there is nothing left to do but go out and cook your own amazing frozen shrimp recipes.
Whether you prepare a pasta, or maybe keep it simple with an appetizer, you’re going to love how easy it is to cook shrimp straight from frozen. So much so, that you’ll probably end up always wanting to keep a bag of frozen shrimp ready to eat in your freezer.
