The Best Way to Cook Frozen Shrimp (Fast, Juicy, and Flavorful!)

Ever catch yourself, at 5:30 p.m. or so, staring at a bag of frozen shrimp and hoping you could still manage to make dinner? I certainly have. What started as an experiment in desperation for a weeknight meal has evolved into what I believe is the best way to cook frozen shrimp — period.

Cooked frozen shrimp go from freezer to sheet pan, where zesty Cajun seasoning serves as the perfect foil in this spicy, savoury recipe that will make you look at frozen seafood in a whole new light. Even better? It all happens in 15 minutes, start to finish.

How to Cook Frozen Shrimp

Frozen shrimp don’t have to be second-tier when prepping dinner.

• Preheat the baking sheet and your oven (broiler on high)
• Season with a seasoning mix (I use my homemade one, or you could use your own or a packaged one for the occasion).
• Thaw the shrimp by running cold water over them, and discard the ice.
• And shrimp with your seasonings, broiled to perfection!

These two simple steps will turn a block of rock-hard frozen shrimp into a tender, juicy dish more quickly than you could defrost them — and with a better texture to boot!

Can I Cook Shrimp From Frozen?

Totally! Regardless of whether they are fresh or frozen, shrimp should be cooked until they are firm and the flesh is clear, following F.D.A. seafood guidelines.

As a bonus, cooking directly from frozen also protects against the number one enemy of the tenderloin — overcooking. But because shrimp cook so quickly — not only because of their small size but also because of their low fat content — going from frozen also helps establish a buffer that permits them to open in the same amount of time it takes to bring the outside to the proper heat and let the inside come to a safe temperature. The result? Juicier, more tender shrimp than you’ll find, thawed shrimp in a pan, where they go from right to rubber in a split second.

How to Cook With Fresh and Frozen Shrimp

To achieve the best results, here is the Best Way to Cook Frozen Shrimp.

• Size matters: Extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound) work beautifully here. Smaller ones can overcook easily, and if using jumbo shrimp, you may need more time.
• Shell-off is best: You can cook them with the shell in place, but cooking the shrimp after removing the shell means the seasonings will penetrate better, and eating is more comfortable.
• The quantity is flexible: This recipe is perfect with 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (or 1 24-ounce bag), which serves 4 to 6 people for dinner.
• You can’t see the magic, but it occurs when your frozen shrimp meet a screaming hot sheet pan under the broiler. That brief heat shock is what gives you the perfect texture.

Why Broiling Is The Best Technique

After trying all the cooking methods I could think of, I can say without a doubt that broiling is the fastest and easiest way to cook shrimp from frozen. The direct, high heat cooks them quickly, allowing the spits to caramelise and create a more flavorful dish.

The secret is to preheat both the oven and the sheet pan. This two-pronged heating approach means that the shrimp cook evenly on both sides. I prefer using a stainless steel baking sheet rather than a non-stick one for this technique — it can handle the high heat and provides much better browning.

Delivering Your Super Juicy Shrimp

These versatile shrimp lend themselves to endless preparation:

• Stir in fresh lime juice at the end, and serve them over creamy slow-cooker grits for a Southern-infused meal.
• Serve them as an appetiser with a cold, tangy dipping sauce
• Toss with pasta, garlic, and olive oil for a speedy shrimp scampi
• Toss into grain salads with fresh vegetables for a high-protein lunch
• Serve stuffed into tacos with avocado and slaw for a simple weeknight dinner

Dietary Notes

This recipe is also gluten-free, dairy-free, high in protein, low in carbs, and paleo-friendly. For those who are watching their sodium intake, you can control the salt content in your spice blend.

Nutritional information (per serving, for 6 servings):

• Calories: 140
• Fat: 3g (Saturated: 0.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 24g
• Sodium: 580mg
• Fibreiber: 0g

Ingredients

For the Cajun Spice Blend:

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (more or less to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Shrimp:

• 1 1/2 pounds prepped extra-large frozen shrimp (21-25 count per pound)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Equipment You’ll Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small mixing bowl
• Colander
• Rimmed baking sheet (stainless steel is best)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Whip Up a Quick Cajun Spice Rub

In a small bowl, combine all the spices and mix thoroughly. The bright red from the paprika will give your shrimp an enticing, gorgeously colourful look, and the herbs and spices perfectly balance against the shrimp’s sweetness.

Step 2: Heat Oven and Baking Sheet

With 8-10 inches under the broiler. Heat the broiler to high and put an empty rimmed baking sheet in the oven. Let it heat for at least 5 minutes. Preheating achieves a sharper brown sear on the exterior of the shrimp.

Step 3: Wash the Frozen Shrimp

When the oven is preheated, place your treated frozen shrimp in a colander and rinse under cold running water for about 1 minute. This process removes ice crystals and begins thawing the shrimp just enough to allow the seasonings to adhere. Shake the colander vigorously to remove all the moisture; alternatively, you can lightly press paper towels. Too much water will essentially steam the shrimp for a second rather than sear them.

Step 4: Season the Shrimp

Drain the shrimp and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add the spice mixture. Toss until the shrimp is well-coated. Moisture from rinsing is just enough to ensure the spices adhere perfectly to each piece.

Step 5: Broil the Shrimp

Using excellent oven mittens, carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven. With haste, dump the seasoned shrimp onto the hot pan and spread them out into a single layer. That sizzle that you’llyou’llough, is precisely what you want to hear—iit’sttit’soundof ideal texture forming!

Step 6: Cook to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and broil for five minutes or so. The cooking time will depend on the power of your broiler, so look for these signs of doneness: shrimp will be plump and slightly curved (in the shape of the letter C, not tightly curled), pink, and opaque throughout. They should have some resistance, but still feel a little springy when pressed.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The spice mix can be prepared up to 3 months before use and stored in a sealed container. Having this ready to go speeds up weeknight cooking even more.

Storage: Cooked shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re terrific in salads or gently reheated.

Variations: Even though I think the Cajun seasoning gives a perfectly balanced flavour profile, you can try other spice combinations:

• Lemon Pepper & Garlic everything for something light and zesty
• Old Bay Seasoning for seafood seasoning classic
• Curry powder and a splash of coconut milk (after cooking) for an Indian twist
• Schillihili powder, some cumin,  and lime zest, a Mexican twist.

You’ve done it! You won’t let it go back to your bag of frozen food. It’s a great positivity. Your mom’s the best! It’s the best seafood homestyle dish, with almost no cleanup. Within just a few minutes, would you have guessed that a desperate dinner would become a favourite way?

The Best Way to Cook Frozen Shrimp

Discover the best way to cook frozen shrimp for juicy, flavorful results every time. Make This quick and easy Cajun shrimp recipe in just 15 minutes.

Type: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keywords: Best Way to Cook Frozen Shrimp,frozen shrimp,cook frozen shrimp,cook shrimp from frozen,Cajun,Cajun spice

Recipe Yield: 4-6 servings

Calories: 140

Preparation Time: PT5M

Cooking Time: PT5M

Total Time: PT10M

Recipe Video Name: The Frozen Shrimp Tricks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Recipe Video Description: How do you get gourmet cooking from a bag of frozen seafood? And what's the best way to defrost these ice-crusted crustaceans? There's nothing fishy about these frozen shrimp tricks.

Recipe Video Thumbnail: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rZLa9ym3lkw/maxresdefault.jpg

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 pounds extra-large frozen shrimp (21-25 count per pound)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Recipe Instructions: 1-"Make Cajun Spice Rub" 2-"Preheat Oven and Baking Sheet" 3-"Rinse and Thaw Shrimp" 4-"Season Shrimp" 5-"Broil Shrimp" 6-"Serve"

Editor's Rating:
5

Pros

• -Simple and quick to prepare
• -Perfect texture and juiciness
• -Versatile for many dishes"

Cons

• -Requires broiling equipment
• -May not work as well with very small shrimp