When you are in a hurry to make dinner, an easy shrimp (or prawn) marinade recipe can come in handy. The great thing about shrimp is that it cooks really quickly and can be a healthy dinner with some of my favorite sides. Also, marinated shrimp can be turned into Grilled Shrimp Skewers or Shrimp and Veggie Kabobs for a summer meal that will stand out. You can make these on a Tuesday night.
If you agree that there is nothing better than biting into a piece of shrimp that has been marinated in spices and lemons, keep reading…
Shrimp is a versatile and delicious seafood that can be prepared in endless ways. From shrimp scampi to coconut shrimp, and shrimp tacos to shrimp salad, it’s a staple ingredient in many recipes. Marinating shrimp helps boost flavor and makes for tender, juicy results when cooking. This adds extra zing to grilled shrimp, baked shrimp, and sautéed shrimp. But what if you want to marinate shrimp that is frozen? Can you marinate frozen shrimp?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely marinate previously frozen shrimp. Frozen shrimp needs time to thaw and absorb flavors from the marinade With a few helpful tips and techniques, marinated frozen shrimp can turn out just as flavorful and tender as marinating raw never-frozen shrimp.
In this definitive guide we will cover everything you need to know about marinating frozen shrimp including
- Why marinate shrimp
- Choosing the best shrimp for marinating
- How long to thaw frozen shrimp before marinating
- Tips for an effective shrimp marinade
- Recommended marinating times
- How to cook marinated frozen shrimp to perfection
Armed with this knowledge you will be able to marinate frozen shrimp like a pro and have restaurant-quality seafood any night of the week!
Why Marinate Shrimp?
Marinating is a simple way to infuse shrimp with extra flavor. The marinade not only adds taste, but it also helps tenderize the shrimp as it sits. Here are some of the benefits of marinating shrimp:
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Infuses flavor – A marinade coats the shrimp allowing seasoning, herbs, spices, citrus, and other ingredients to penetrate the meat. This adds lots of extra flavor.
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Tenderizes – Acidic ingredients like lemon juice help break down collagen fibers in the shrimp for a more tender texture.
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Retains moisture – A marinade creates a protective barrier to prevent the shrimp from drying out while cooking. This keeps shrimp plump and juicy.
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Enhances browning – Oil and sugars in a marinade promote beautiful caramelization and browning during cooking for enhanced flavor and appearance.
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Versatile – Marinated shrimp can be used in a variety of recipes from shrimp kebabs to tacos, salads, pasta and more.
So marinating checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to achieving delicious shrimp with a simple technique. Now let’s look at how to marinate previously frozen shrimp.
Choosing Shrimp for Marinating
For the best results when marinating frozen shrimp, opt for raw shrimp that has been frozen, not shrimp that was sold fresh then frozen at home. Here’s why:
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Shrimp sold at stores as “fresh” has actually been previously frozen at sea shortly after being caught. It is then thawed before appearing in the fresh seafood case.
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Since the “fresh” shrimp has gone through freeze/thaw cycles already, its texture and shelf life deteriorate faster than shrimp consistently kept frozen.
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Individually quick frozen (IQF) raw shrimp has a better texture and absorbs marinade more effectively since it has never been thawed before.
When buying frozen shrimp look for the following qualities:
- Raw, shell on or peeled – Either works fine
- Individually quick frozen (IQF) – Not block frozen
- Unseasoned – Avoid pre-marinated or seasoned shrimp
- Firm – No signs of freezer burn or thawing/refreezing
IQF shrimp is convenient because you can separate the amount needed rather than defrosting a whole block. Go with shell on or peeled based on your recipe needs. Shell on helps retain juiciness. Raw, unseasoned shrimp allows the new marinade flavors to shine.
How Long to Thaw Frozen Shrimp Before Marinating
Proper thawing is key to ensure frozen shrimp absorbs the marinade effectively. Shrimp should be thawed before marinating using one of these methods:
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Refrigerator thaw – For best quality, thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge. Place in a bowl and thaw in the coldest part of the fridge for 12-24 hours.
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Cold water thaw – For quicker thawing, place shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them until thawed. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold. Thaw for about 1 hour.
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Microwave thaw – Thaw shrimp in the microwave in 30 second intervals, checking and stirring after each interval. Thaw for 3-5 minutes total.
Avoid thawing shrimp on the counter at room temperature. This allows bacteria to grow and negatively affects texture.
Shrimp is ready for marinating once thawed and no ice crystals remain. Pat dry before marinating so the marinade evenly coats shrimp.
Tips for an Effective Shrimp Marinade
A flavorful marinade is key to maximizing the results with frozen shrimp. Follow these tips:
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Use acidic ingredients – Lemon, lime, vinegar, wine add bright flavor and tenderize.
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Include oil or butter – Helps the marinade coat shrimp and bastes while cooking.
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Season generously – Onion, garlic, herbs, spices amp up flavors.
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Add a touch of sweetness – Honey, brown sugar, fruit juices balance acidity.
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Use a bag or bowl – Ensure shrimp is evenly coated in marinade.
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Chill thoroughly – Marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
With these marinade tips, you will achieve excellent flavor penetration with frozen shrimp.
Recommended Marinating Times
The marinating time for frozen shrimp depends on the recipe but generally falls into two timeframes:
Quick marinade – 15-30 minutes
- When pressed for time
- Better for strong citrus-based marinades where acid cooks the shrimp
- Example: Lemon garlic marinade
Long marinade – 1-12 hours
- For maximum flavor infusion
- Works well for yogurt, buttermilk, wine, and oil-based marinades
- Marinate overnight for convenience
- Examples: Tandoori, teriyaki, Mediterranean
For the best results, marinate thawed frozen shrimp in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours maximum. Much longer than 12 hours, the marinade chemically cooks the shrimp and makes it mushy.
How to Cook Marinated Frozen Shrimp
Cooking brings out the flavors infused into the shrimp during marinating. Follow these tips for perfect results:
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Pat shrimp dry – Remove excess moisture before cooking so marinade browns nicely.
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Use high heat – Cook over medium-high to high heat to quickly sear and lock in juices.
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Don’t overcook – Shrimp cooks fast! 2-3 minutes per side is all you need.
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Reserve marinade – Set aside some extra marinade to drizzle over the cooked shrimp.
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Toss with sauce – Coat cooked shrimp with reserved marinade or a complementary sauce.
With a flavorsome marinade and proper cooking technique, frozen shrimp can be transformed into a delicious meal full of zesty flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about marinating frozen shrimp? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
How long does thawed frozen shrimp keep in the refrigerator?
Thawed frozen shrimp will last 1-2 days in the fridge before marinating. Cook within 1-2 days of thawing for best quality.
Can you thaw frozen shrimp in the package?
It’s best to thaw frozen shrimp removed from the packaging so moisture can evaporate rather than getting trapped in the wrapping.
Is it safe to marinate shrimp overnight?
Yes, marinating thawed frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight is safe. Discard used marinade after to avoid bacteria.
Should you rinse off the marinade before cooking?
Most marinades can be left on the shrimp before cooking. Just pat off any excess moisture so the shrimp sear properly.
Can you reuse shrimp marinade?
Never reuse marinade that has touched raw shrimp. The bacteria risks making people sick. Make a larger batch so you have extra.
In Summary
Marinating frozen shrimp unlocks a world of possibilities when it comes to easy and flavorful seafood. By properly thawing, marinating, and cooking frozen shrimp, you can enjoy juicy, restaurant-worthy results. A few tips to remember:
- Always thaw frozen shrimp before marinating
- Allow 1 hour to 12 hours for marinating thawed shrimp
- Use a well-balanced marinade with acid, oil, herbs and seasonings
- Cook marinated frozen shrimp over high heat just until opaque
- Drizzle extra marinade over the cooked shrimp for maximum flavor
With this know-how on marinating frozen shrimp, you can take your recipes to the next level. Get ready for your best shrimp tacos, shrimp pasta, and other creations yet!
How Long Can You Marinate Shrimp
I recommend marinating the shrimp for 30 minutes or less since there is lemon juice in the marinade. If the shrimp sits for too long, the acid in the lemon juice will start to cook them and turn them mushy.
So, the shrimp can be marinated for a few hours or all night long as long as the lemon juice is left out. Simply add the lemon juice up to 30 minutes before planning to cook. In either case, marinate in the fridge until you’re ready to start cooking.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:
Along with honey, fresh garlic, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, and cleaned shrimp, this dish has a long list of ingredients.
Below are a few helpful notes, including a few substitutions for the marinade ingredients:
- The best shrimp to use are medium-sized shrimp (21 to 25 count) that have already been peeled and deveined. There are also great choices like jumbo shrimp or whole prawns with their heads still on.
- Olive oil or butter? I used olive oil, but you can use the same amount of melted and cooled butter instead if you’d like.
- You can use lime zest and lime juice instead of lemon if you want to. Orange or grapefruit would offer a nice twist, too.
- Asian Taste: If you want an Asian zing, soy sauce is a great place to put the lemon juice. If doing so, omit the salt in the recipe.
- Don’t leave out the honey. The first time I made the marinade, I didn’t add honey, but my goodness, it makes all the difference! It adds a subtle sweetness that makes the shrimp even more delicious. You can use any mild honey you have on hand. I like it with orange blossom or clover honey. Brown sugar is a great alternative for honey. The sugar granules will naturally dissolve while whisking the marinade.
- Please use the paprika that you like best. Either mild or hot will work. Use whatever spice level you prefer. It would taste a little smoky with smoked paprika, so you no longer need to grill.
- Hot Sauce: You can add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to make a marinade that is so spicy it will make you crave it.
Grocery Shopping Tip: Shrimp are labeled in a range of sizes – small, medium, large, extra large, jumbo and colossal, but it’s the number you’re looking for. Here is a great article about various sizes of shrimp.
This is usually shown as a number that has been split in half, like 21/25, or a number that starts with the letter “U,” like U-15. The number represents the average amount of shrimp in a one pound bag.