can you put frozen shrimp on a blackstone

Cooking Frozen Shrimp on a Blackstone Griddle: A How-To Guide

Blackstone griddles have become increasingly popular for outdoor cooking. With their versatile, flat top surface Blackstone griddles excel at quickly searing foods to create flavorful dishes. One common question is whether you can cook frozen shrimp directly on a hot Blackstone griddle. The short answer is yes you can cook frozen shrimp on a Blackstone with proper preparation. In this article, we’ll cover tips and techniques for successfully cooking frozen shrimp on a Blackstone griddle.

Benefits of Cooking Shrimp on a Blackstone Griddle

There are several advantages to choosing a Blackstone griddle for cooking shrimp

• High heat sears in moisture and flavor. The Blackstone reaches temperatures over 500°F, allowing the shrimp to quickly sear and lock in juices.

• Large flat surface cooks evenly. Shrimp will cook uniformly with direct contact on the hot griddle.

• Easy to flip and toss shrimp. The spacious griddle surface makes tossing or flipping shrimp simple.

• Allows for seasoning and sauce application. You can easily brush on marinades or sprinkle seasoning over the cooking shrimp.

• Gives great grill marks and char. The shrimp get attractive sear marks from direct griddle contact.

Tips for Cooking Previously Frozen Shrimp on a Blackstone

Follow these tips for success when cooking frozen shrimp on your Blackstone griddle:

• Thaw the shrimp first. Don’t try to cook shrimp directly from the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking.

• Dry shrimp well before cooking. Pat thawed shrimp dry before placing on the hot griddle. Excess water will cause splattering and uneven cooking.

• Use a non-stick surface. Lightly coat the griddle with oil or use non-stick spray so the shrimp don’t stick. Avoid over-coating.

• Cook shrimp in batches. Don’t overcrowd the griddle. Cook shrimp in small batches for the best sear and even cooking.

• Move shrimp as they cook. Use tongs to toss or flip shrimp often while cooking for even exposure to the heat.

• Don’t overcook. Shrimp cooks very fast. Remove immediately when opaque and pink. Overcooking makes shrimp rubbery.

• Allow carryover cooking. Shrimp will continue cooking after removing from the griddle. Allow carryover cooking to avoid overcooking.

Choosing the Best Frozen Shrimp for Cooking on a Blackstone

Picking high-quality frozen shrimp helps ensure delicious Blackstone griddle results:

• Raw vs cooked: Raw frozen shrimp works best. Avoid pre-cooked frozen shrimp which can dry out.

• Peeled vs shells: Peeled and deveined shrimp will cook most evenly. Shells can protect from overcooking.

• Size: Opt for medium or large shrimp. Large shrimp are harder to overcook than small shrimp.

• Appearance: Choose shrimp that look firm, shiny, and free from discoloration. Avoid mushy or dull shrimp.

• Smell: Shrimp should have a mild, briny smell. Pass on shrimp with an intense fishy odor.

• Source: Wild-caught or sustainably farmed shrimp offer optimal flavor and texture.

• Freeze time: Use shrimp frozen for under 3 months. Long frozen times decrease moisture and quality.

Seasoning Shrimp Before Cooking on the Blackstone

Since frozen shrimp lacks flavor from freezing, proper seasoning before cooking is key. Consider these seasoning ideas:

• Simple salt, pepper and garlic powder provide basic flavor enhancement.

• Italian seasoning, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes provide a flavor punch.

• Lemon-pepper seasoning gives shrimp a bright, citrusy taste.

• Cajun seasoning mixes add robust Louisiana flair.

• Chili powder blended with cumin and paprika lends Southwestern zest.

• A soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic marinade brings Asian essence.

• Brush shrimp with melted garlic-herb butter right after cooking for instant richness.

Frozen Shrimp Blackstone Griddle Recipe Ideas

The bold high heat of a Blackstone griddle pairs deliciously with seasoned frozen shrimp. Quickly cook shrimp and toss with these recipe ideas:

• Shrimp tacos – Top warmed corn tortillas with griddled shrimp, shredded cabbage, mango salsa and chipotle cream.

• Shrimp fajitas – Warm flour tortillas and fill with seasoned shrimp, sautéed peppers and onions.

• Coconut shrimp – Roll shrimp in coconut flakes and panko then griddle until golden.

• Lemon garlic shrimp pasta – Toss griddled shrimp with zucchini noodles, lemon juice, garlic and Parmesan.

• Shrimp mushroom skewers – Alternate shrimp and mushrooms on skewers. Griddle 2-3 minutes per side.

• Shrimp fried rice – Stir griddled shrimp into fried rice with peas, carrots, eggs and green onions.

• Bang bang shrimp – Toss breaded shrimp in spicy Sriracha mayo after griddling.

The Takeaway on Cooking Frozen Shrimp on a Blackstone

Cooking frozen shrimp on a hot Blackstone griddle can yield delicious results with proper preparation and technique. Thaw, dry and season the shrimp well before griddling. Use high heat to quickly sear the exterior while leaving the interior moist. Remove the shrimp as soon as they turn opaque to prevent overcooking. Allow carryover cooking to finish off the shrimp. Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy fantastic griddle-seared shrimp with great flavor and texture. A Blackstone griddle offers a fast, fun way to unlock the flavor potential of frozen shrimp.