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…
Marinating shrimp before cooking is a great way to infuse flavor and tenderness into the delicate seafood However, with the shrimp’s fragile texture, marinating overnight may not always be the best option In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at whether you can marinate shrimp overnight, for how long shrimp can marinate, tips for an optimal marinade time, and how to get the most flavor in a limited marinating window.
How Long Should You Marinate Shrimp?
Shrimp have a very delicate texture that can quickly become mushy and overpowered when marinated for too long. According to PreparedCooks.com, shrimp flesh absorbs flavors very quickly from a marinade, so you generally only need to marinate shrimp for a couple of hours for optimal flavor and texture.
Marinating shrimp overnight is possible but risky. The long exposure to acidic ingredients like lemon juice, wine, or vinegar can cause the proteins in the shrimp to start “cooking”, becoming tough and rubbery. On the other hand, proteolytic enzymes like papain, bromelain, and ficin can also break down proteins, leaving shrimp mushy or mealy in texture.
To avoid over-marination PreparedCooks recommends limiting marinade time to no more than
- 2-4 hours for a vinegar, wine, or lemon-based marinade
- 4-6 hours for an oil- or yogurt-based marinade
- 6-8 hours for a marinade without acid ingredients
Keep the shrimp chilled at 40°F or below during marinating to prevent bacterial growth.
Does Shrimp Size Affect Marinating Time?
Yes the size of shrimp can impact how long they need in a marinade. According to PreparedCooks, larger shrimp like jumbo or colossal may need up to 30-60 minutes longer marinating time than smaller shrimp. Their thicker flesh takes more time to absorb flavors.
Aim to marinate peeled, deveined shrimp for:
- 30 minutes to 1 hour for small or medium (36-50 count)
- 1-2 hours for large (26-30 count)
- 2-3 hours for jumbo or colossal (under 15 count)
This helps ensure even marination without over-tenderizing larger shrimp.
Tips For Marinating Shrimp Overnight
If you really want to marinate shrimp overnight, FoolproofLiving provides some helpful tips:
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Omit acid ingredients like citrus juice, vinegar, and wine until just before cooking. Acidity can “cook” the shrimp, making it rubbery.
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Use oil- or dairy-based marinades like olive oil, avocado oil, plain yogurt or buttermilk. These are gentler on shrimp.
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Keep shrimp chilled below 40°F to prevent bacteria growth. Don’t marinate at room temp more than 2 hours.
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Pat shrimp very dry before marinating so the marinade adheres better.
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** Reserve some marinade** to drizzle on the cooked shrimp for extra flavor.
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Cook gently, like grilling or sautéing for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
With these precautions, shrimp can marinate up to 8-12 hours overnight with minimal risk of over-tenderizing.
Can You Marinate Frozen Shrimp?
Marinating frozen shrimp is not recommended. According to FoolproofLiving, as frozen shrimp thaw they release a lot of water which dilutes the marinade. The shrimp may also never properly absorb flavors from the diluted marinade.
For best results, thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or in cold water. Pat dry, then marinate thawed raw shrimp for the recommended time.
If short on time, marinate thawed frozen shrimp for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Less marinating time is needed since frozen shrimp are usually processed to retain moisture.
Should You Remove the Shrimp Tail Before Marinating?
This comes down to personal preference. Leaving the tail on makes for a pretty presentation, and traps in natural juices when cooking. However, marinade absorbs better into the cut where the tail was removed.
FoolproofLiving notes that slippery, marinated tails can also be harder to remove after marinating. Ultimately, choose whichever you prefer eating or suits your recipe best.
How to Make a Quick Shrimp Marinade
Don’t have hours to marinate shrimp? FoolproofLiving shares a easy 5-minute shrimp marinade that packs a flavor punch:
Ingredients:
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb peeled, deveined shrimp
Instructions:
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Whisk together all ingredients except shrimp.
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Reserve 1 tbsp marinade, then toss shrimp with remaining marinade.
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Refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
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Cook shrimp as desired, drizzle with reserved marinade.
The honey adds subtle sweetness while the lemon juice and garlic infuse bright, robust flavor in just 30 minutes. For even quicker marination, reduce lemon juice to 2 tbsp to avoid over-tenderizing.
How Long Does Shrimp Marinade Last?
The PreparedCooks recommends consuming marinated shrimp within:
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24 hours for lemon/citrus-based marinades
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36 hours for oil, yogurt or neutral marinades
To store leftover marinade, transfer to an airtight container without shrimp. FoolproofLiving notes it lasts 3-5 days refrigerated. Discard if odor or appearance changes.
Only reuse marinade if it was used on fully cooked shrimp, never raw. Boil marinade for 5+ minutes before reusing to eliminate bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marinating Shrimp
Here are answers to some common questions about marinating shrimp:
Can you marinate already cooked shrimp?
Yes, cooked shrimp can be marinated but won’t absorb as much flavor. Marinate 4-6 hours for best results.
Should shrimp tails be on or off during marinating?
Either is fine. Tails off absorbs more marinade but doesn’t look as pretty.
Can you over-marinate shrimp?
Yes. Too long in an acidic marinade makes shrimp tough and rubbery. Enzymatic marinades will make it mushy.
How do you know if shrimp is over-marinated?
Shrimp appears opaque and mushy, feels slimy, has an acidic “cooked” taste. Discard if shrimp looks or smells off.
Can I grill already marinated shrimp from the store?
Yes, but grill gently 2-3 minutes per side to avoid overcooking. Brush with a little oil or extra marinade.
Can you freeze marinated shrimp?
It’s not recommended. Thawing can cause texture changes. Marinate raw shrimp after thawing.
Get the Most Flavor From Marinating Shrimp
Marinating is a great way to add flavor to shrimp before cooking. For the best results, work within the shrimp’s delicate nature by:
- Limiting marinade time to 2-6 hours
- Using gentle dairy, oil or neutral marinades
- Keeping chilled while marinating
- Removing acidic ingredients if marinating more than 2-4 hours
- Patting shrimp very dry before marinating
- Cooking gently like grilling or sautéing
With a well-chosen marinade and optimal marinating time, you can enjoy flavorful, tender shrimp any night of the week.
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.
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.