Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins to cook with. It’s versatile, delicious, and freezes so well. But we’ve all been there – it’s dinner time, and your frozen shrimp is still as solid as a rock in the freezer. You don’t have time to properly thaw and cook it on the stove. What do you do?
The answer is simple: yes, you absolutely can microwave frozen shrimp! Microwaving is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook frozen shrimp. It takes just minutes to have perfectly cooked, tender and juicy shrimp ready to be enjoyed.
I’ve been microwaving frozen shrimp for years and I’m excited to share all my tips and tricks with you in this ultimate guide. We’ll cover everything from prep cook times, seasoning, and serving suggestions. Read on to become a frozen shrimp microwaving pro!
Why Microwave Frozen Shrimp?
Here are some of the key benefits of microwaving frozen shrimp
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It’s incredibly fast – Shrimp can go from freezer to plate in just 2-4 minutes when microwaved. No need to wait for thawing and stove-top cooking.
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Very little prep – Simply rinse the frozen shrimp and pat dry. No tedious peeling and deveining required.
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Retains moisture – The microwave’s rapid cooking helps seal in the shrimp’s natural juices.
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Easy cleanup – With only a microwave-safe dish to wash, cleanup is a breeze.
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Energy efficient – Microwaves use significantly less energy than stovetop cooking.
Step-by-Step Microwaving Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked microwaved shrimp every time:
1. Prepare the shrimp
Rinse the frozen shrimp under cool water to remove any ice crystals. Gently pat dry with paper towels. This prevents excess water from splattering in the microwave.
2. Arrange in a single layer
Place the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish in a single flat layer, ensuring they aren’t overlapping. This allows for even cooking.
3. Season (optional)
At this point, you can season the shrimp with garlic powder, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning or your desired flavors. The seasoning will permeate the shrimp beautifully during microwaving.
4. Cover loosely
Cover the dish loosely with a paper towel or microwave-safe lid. This prevents splatter while still allowing steam to escape.
5. Microwave
Begin microwaving at 60-70% power. Microwave in 1-minute increments, checking and stirring the shrimp in between.
6. Check for doneness
Shrimp is done when it’s opaque and firms to the touch. Depending on size, this takes 2-4 minutes for a half pound.
7. Rest and serve
Let the shrimp rest in the microwave for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy on salads, in tacos, with pasta and more!
Handy Microwaving Tips
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Arrange shrimp in a ring pattern – This promotes even cooking by preventing the outer shrimp from shielding the inner ones.
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Partially thaw first for more even cooking – If shrimp are very frozen, thaw for 5-10 minutes before microwaving.
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Cook in 30-second bursts after the 2-minute mark to prevent overcooking.
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Add lemon slices or broth for extra moisture and flavor.
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Use lower power for larger shrimp – Larger shrimp may require only 50% power to prevent rubberiness.
Microwaved Shrimp Recipe Inspiration
The versatility of microwave-cooked shrimp is endless! Here are just a few of my favorite ways to use microwaved shrimp:
Shrimp Salad
Toss shrimp with mixed greens, diced mango, avocado, tomato and a citrusy vinaigrette.
Shrimp Tacos
Wrap shrimp in warm tortillas with salsa, cheese, lettuce and diced onions for a fast and easy taco night.
Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
Toss cooked shrimp with spaghetti, vegetables, and a creamy Sriracha sauce for a spicy twist.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Simmer shrimp in an aromatic red curry coconut milk sauce served over rice.
Shrimp Fajitas
Sauté bell peppers and onions, then add shrimp and serve with tortillas, guacamole and sour cream.
Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
Microwaved shrimp stars in this hearty Southern stew, chock-full of flavorful ingredients.
As you can see, microwaved shrimp opens up a whole new world of quick and easy meal ideas. Keep your freezer stocked with shrimp so you’re ready to microwave satisfying shrimp dishes anytime.
Have fun getting creative with sauces, global flavors and produce combinations. And be sure to share your favorite microwaved shrimp recipes and serving suggestions in the comments below!
Explore More Delicious Shrimp Recipes
Now that you know how to cook frozen shrimp in the microwave, you can jump right into trying out a bunch of different tasty recipes that use this skill. There are a lot of different flavors in these dishes, from the simple Quick and Easy Microwave Shrimp Fried Rice to the fancy Classic Microwave Shrimp Scampi. You can make them for any event. The Speedy Microwave Shrimp Tacos are a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner because they are easy to make and taste great. If you want something a little different, the Exotic Coconut Curry Shrimp Microwave Recipe is a great mix of flavors that is sure to please. These recipes not only save time but also allow you to enjoy gourmet-style meals right from your microwave. Share your tips and tricks for cooking frozen shrimp in the microwave in our.
Unlock the Secret: Easy Microwaving of Frozen Shrimp
When it comes to convenience and speed, the microwave is a kitchen superhero. Oh, and did you know that frozen shrimp can be cooked in the microwave? You read that right! No more defrosting and cooking on the stove! In just a few simple steps, you can have succulent and perfectly cooked shrimp ready to enjoy. Get ready to impress your taste buds and save valuable time with this microwave-friendly cooking method.