Canned Shrimp: A Closer Look at This Pantry Staple

As a busy home cook, I rely on canned goods to help me get wholesome tasty meals on the table fast. Canned tuna and salmon are kitchen staples for me. But recently I started experimenting more with canned shrimp, and let me tell you – this underrated pantry item is a total game changer!

In this article, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about canned shrimp. I’ll cover topics like

• The benefits of keeping canned shrimp stocked in your pantry
• How canned shrimp compares to fresh and frozen
• What to look for when buying canned shrimp
• Tips for preparing canned shrimp
• Creative ways to use canned shrimp in recipes

After reading this. you’ll be a canned shrimp expert ready to start incorporating it into your weekly meal planning!

Why Canned Shrimp Deserves a Spot in Your Pantry

Here are some of my favorite things about keeping canned shrimp on hand:

Convenience – Canned shrimp is cooked and ready to eat! No thawing, peeling, deveining or cooking required. This makes it so fast to add to recipes.

Long shelf life – Properly stored, canned shrimp will keep for 1-2 years in the pantry. It has a much longer shelf life than fresh or frozen.

Budget-friendly – Especially when bought in bulk, canned shrimp is very affordable. It provides a cost-effective way to enjoy seafood.

Nutritious – Canned shrimp provides protein, omega-3s, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and more. It packs a nutritional punch!

Versatile – Canned shrimp can be used in appetizers, salads, pasta, rice bowls, sandwiches, and more. The possibilities are endless!

With all these benefits, canned shrimp is far too good to be relegated to the back of the pantry. Next, let’s see how it compares to fresh and frozen shrimp.

How Canned Shrimp Compares to Fresh and Frozen

Canned shrimp differs from its fresh and frozen counterparts in a few key ways:

Texture – Canned shrimp has a softer, more tender texture than fresh or frozen. The canning process partially cooks the shrimp.

Flavor – Canned shrimp absorbs flavors like seasoning, oil or sauces it’s packed in. Fresh and frozen shrimp have a milder, natural seafood flavor.

Cost – Ounce for ounce, canned is cheaper than fresh or frozen shrimp. Especially when purchasing larger cans.

Nutrients – Some water-soluble vitamins like C and B-vitamins are decreased during the canning process. But protein, healthy fats, and minerals remain.

Preparation – No prep or cooking is needed for canned shrimp! Fresh requires deveining, peeling, cooking. And frozen shrimp needs thawing and cooking.

While fresh and frozen shrimp shine in some dishes, the convenience of canned makes it perfect for quick weeknight meals.

Now that we’ve compared it to fresh and frozen, let’s go over what to look for when purchasing canned shrimp.

Shopping for Canned Shrimp – What to Look For

Here are the key things to keep in mind when selecting canned shrimp:

• Species – White shrimp is more common. Go for wild-caught options when possible.

• Package size – Comes in 4 oz to 5 oz cans up to 12 oz family size cans. Buy in bulk for cost savings.

• Additives – Some contain added salt, preservatives or MSG. Check the label and look for low-sodium options if needed.

• Packing liquid – Packed in water, oil, sauces or broth. Choose based on recipe needs.

• Sustainability – Look for MSC certified canned seafood that is sustainably caught or farmed.

• Brands – Well-known brands like Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee, and Wild Planet are good options.

Prioritize sustainability and additives based on your needs. And don’t be afraid to buy in bulk – canned shrimp lasts a long time when properly stored.

Up next, tips for preparing canned shrimp before cooking.

Preparing Canned Shrimp for Cooking and Recipes

Canned shrimp is ready to eat straight from the can! But to take it to the next level in recipes, here are some useful prep tips:

• Drain and rinse – Drain liquid from the can and rinse shrimp to remove excess sodium, oil or sauce.

• Chop or leave whole – Cut canned shrimp into smaller pieces for dishes like pasta. Use whole for shrimp salads.

• Rehydrate – For firmer texture, soak drained shrimp in cold water 5-10 minutes before use.

• SautĂ© or heat – For more flavor, briefly sautĂ© canned shrimp in oil or butter before making recipes.

• Complement flavors – Season with spices, herbs, citrus, etc to complement the dish. Shrimp pairs well with bold flavors.

• Use packing liquid – In recipes like rice, soups or sauces, utilize the flavorful oils or broth shrimp was packed in.

With canned shrimp prepped, let’s look at some of my favorite ways to use it in recipes!

Creative and Delicious Ways to Use Canned Shrimp

Canned shrimp is endlessly versatile. Here are just some of the many ways I love to use it:

• Seafood pasta – Toss with linguine, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, parsley and Parmesan.

• Shrimp salad – Mix with celery, onions, herbs and mayo for sandwiches or over greens.

• Shrimp tacos – Top corn tortillas with canned shrimp, pico de gallo, avocado and lime crema.

• Shrimp fried rice – Stir into fried rice with peas, carrots, eggs and soy sauce.

• Shrimp soup – Simmer canned shrimp in tomato broth with veggies and Cajun seasoning.

• Shrimp toast – Top baguette slices with shrimp sautĂ©ed in garlic butter and broil.

• Shrimp dip – Blend canned shrimp with cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce and serve with crackers or veggies.

The possibilities are endless! Canned shrimp can elevate simple weeknight meals into restaurant-worthy dishes.