How to Cook Frozen Shrimp & 20 Recipes!


Learn how to cook frozen shrimp on the stovetop in 10 minutes! You’ll get perfectly juicy, seasoned shrimp ready to serve as an appetizer or entree.

How to cook frozen shrimp, frozen shrimp recipes

Staring at that bag of frozen shrimp and don’t know what to do with it? Well, you’re in the right place! I’m sharing my fool-proof method for cooking frozen shrimp on the stove. (And how to thaw it beforehand!) 

Shrimp is a fantastic protein because it’s healthy, quick to cook, and stores well in the freezer. It’s also incredibly versatile. I can turn my frozen shrimp into a quick appetizer, toss it into pasta, or even use it to build a flavorful rice bowl. 

With my simple tips and cooking method, you’ll have juicy, tender, sautéed shrimp on the table in no time.

Thaw the Shrimp First 

It’s best to thaw the shrimp before cooking it to avoid rubbery, overcooked shrimp. Rubbery shrimp happens when you cook fish from frozen, and the outer layer starts cooking before the inside has fully thawed. As a result, the outside can become overcooked by the time the inside is done. 

The best way to thaw frozen raw shrimp is to place them in the refrigerator for 12 hours to allow them to defrost. If you don’t have those extra hours on hand, though, don’t worry! Here’s my quick method for defrosting shrimp:

  1. Place the shrimp in a large bowl of cold water.
  2. Set a timer for 15 minutes and stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp (larger shrimp can take up to 20 minutes).
  3. Pat the thawed shrimp dry. This is important; otherwise, the shrimp will steam instead of cooking (unless you plan to boil or steam them).

What Ingredients Are Needed

While I love making a variety of shrimp dishes and cooking shrimp in different ways (as I’ll discuss later on), sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics. For my classic frozen shrimp recipe, I use the following main ingredients: 

  • Frozen shrimp (thawed): I use medium, frozen, deveined shrimp (which means the main central vein is removed). You can use either tail-on or peeled shrimp!
  • Smoked paprika: I personally love using smoked paprika for this shrimp recipe. It gives the shrimp an extra layer of flavor and adds some spice to the dish. If I don’t have smoked paprika on hand, I can always opt for standard paprika instead. 
  • My classic seasoning mixture: I combine garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and kosher salt to create a savory, earthy flavor profile. 
  • Butter: Butter adds richness when cooking shrimp. You can also substitute the butter with olive oil, if desired, for dietary needs or flavor preference. 

See the list of full ingredients with exact amounts in the recipe card below. 

Time to Get Cooking 

Once the shrimp are thawed and you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start sautéing them on the stovetop. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to perfectly cook frozen shrimp:

  1. Place the shrimp in a large bowl of very cold water for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. (After 15 minutes, rinse off any remaining ice.)
  2. Pat the shrimp completely dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through.
  4. Spritz with lemon juice from the wedges and serve immediately. 

Dietary Notes

This frozen shrimp recipe is pescatarian and dairy-free with olive oil. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was the best shrimp recipe! So easy, quick & delicious!”

– Valorie

20 More Ways to Cook Frozen Shrimp

While my basic cooking recipe is great, I like to change things up and get creative with shrimp recipes in my kitchen. Here are all my favorite cooking methods and ways to prepare shrimp to make a delicious, healthy, seafood-inspired entree or appetizer.

Print

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp

Sauteed shrimp

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Cooking frozen shrimp is easier than you think! With my fool-proof method, you’ll have juicy, tender, and perfectly sautéed shrimp ready to serve in less than 10 minutes.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Sauteed
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds medium frozen shrimp, deveined (tail on or peeled)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute standard paprika)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 3 lemon wedges
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place the shrimp in a large bowl of very cold water for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. (After 15 minutes, rinse off any remaining ice.)
  2. Pat the shrimp completely dry. 
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  4. In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through.
  5. Spritz with juice from the lemon wedges and serve immediately.

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