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…
As a seafood lover, I’m obsessed with ways to make shrimp as mouthwateringly delicious as possible. Marinating is one of my go-to tricks for infusing flavor into these succulent morsels from the sea But I used to struggle with knowing just how long shrimp can soak in that marinade without overdoing it. Through trial, error, and research, I’ve cracked the code on fridge marinating times for flawless shrimp every time.
The Delicate Dance of Marinating Shrimp
Shrimp require a delicate touch when marinating because their flesh is so fragile. They have a tendency to get rubbery and weirdly firm if over-marinated. On the flip side, you want them soaking long enough to really absorb all that fabulous flavor.
The key is marinating shrimp in the fridge, which slows down the marinating process. This keeps them from getting oversaturated. Fridge temperature also inhibits bacteria growth.
I’ve found shrimp do best marinating for 4-12 hours tucked away in the refrigerator. This extended timespan allows the seasonings to penetrate without the shrimp getting overexposed.
So let’s marinate those babies!
Marinating Raw Shrimp in the Fridge
Starting with raw, shell-on shrimp is ideal. The shells protect the delicate meat while allowing flavors to reach the interior.
For raw shrimp, a marinade time of 4-12 hours in the fridge is recommended. Any longer and they risk becoming mealy or mushy. Any less and the flavors don’t have enough time to permeate.
The marinade doesn’t need to be highly acidic or contain alcohol to “cook” the raw shrimp when fridge marinating. A simple blend of oils, herbs, spices, and non-acidic juices like orange or mango makes a perfect raw shrimp marinade.
Once done marinating, peel off the shells and cook the shrimp as desired. They’ll be infused with flavor inside and out.
Quick Tips for Fridge Marinating Raw Shrimp:
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Chill shrimp in the fridge for 15 min before adding marinade
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Use a non-reactive glass or plastic container
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Make sure shrimp are in a single layer, fully submerged
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Cover container tightly to avoid fridge odors seeping in
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Shake or stir periodically to redistribute marinade
Taking it Slow with Pre-Cooked Shrimp
Already cooked shrimp need a bit more time to allow flavors to seep in. Since their structure has been altered by cooking, marinade penetration is slower.
For cooked shrimp, aim for 6-12 hours of fridge marinating. Pre-peeled, cooked shrimp may even benefit from soaking overnight for maximum infusion.
The same rules apply in terms of using a non-reactive container, submerging shrimp fully, and sealing the container tightly. Slow and steady flavor wins the race!
Quick Tips for Fridge Marinating Pre-Cooked Shrimp:
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Thaw frozen cooked shrimp before marinating
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Pat dry well before adding to marinade
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Use a thicker, more flavor packed marinade
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Massage marinade into shrimp initially
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Toss or stir shrimp 2-3 times during marinating
Creative Fridge Marinade Ideas
Now let’s get creative with marinade combinations! Consider fruit juices, wines or vinegars, ethnic seasonings, herbs and spices.
Some of my favorite shrimp marinade combos are:
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Lemon garlic – zest, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice
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Chimichurri – parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar
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Thai – coconut milk, lime, ginger, chili paste
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Mediterranean – olive oil, orange juice, oregano, cumin
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Cajun – hot sauce, paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic
Marinating Mistakes to Avoid
While marinating shrimp in the refrigerator is ideal, there are some pitfalls to avoid:
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Marinating too long – stick within recommended timeframes
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Using reactive metal containers – go for glass or plastic
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Failing to cover the container – causes freezer burn flavors
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Adding too much lemon juice or vinegar – can start “cooking” shrimp
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Letting shrimp sit at room temp before/after – invites bacteria
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Skipping the shake or stir – redistributes marinade over shrimp
The Final Step – Cook and Devour!
Once your shrimp have marinated properly in the fridge, it’s time for the fun part – cooking and eating!
The cooking method doesn’t really matter – go for grilling, sautéing, broiling, or anything else that sounds good. The shrimp will shine with all of that luscious marinade flavor.
For perfect texture and taste, proper fridge marinating is key. Now you have the knowledge to take your shrimp to the next level!
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.
How Long Can Frozen Shrimp Stay in the Fridge? ANSWERED
FAQ
How long can you leave shrimp marinating?
Can raw shrimp last 3 days in fridge?
How far in advance can you prep shrimp?
How long can meat marinate in the fridge before it goes bad?
How long can you marinate shrimp?
According to USDA, you can marinate shrimp for up to 2 hours in the fridge. The duration depends a lot upon how strong a marinade you are using. For highly acidic marinades, the recommended time is usually 30 minutes. Seafood, in general, absorbs flavors very fast.
How long do you marinate shrimp in buttermilk?
In general, seafood like shrimp can absorb the marinade’s flavor in as little as 15-30 minutes. It is not like chicken that needs to marinate in buttermilk for 12-24 hours. The USDA suggests shrimp should be marinated in the fridge for up to 2 hours. However, this timeline is flexible depending on a few factors.
Can You refrigerate marinated shrimp?
Serve your marinate shrimp with a tossed green salad, rice, grilled veggies or pasta salad. Store any leftovers in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop. Freeze the raw shrimp in the marinade for up to 1 month. Defrost then cook as normal.
How do you marinate shrimp?
In a medium bowl, mix the olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Stir until the garlic is fully incorporated. Place shrimp in the bowl and toss to combine. Place it in the refrigerator and marinade for 1 hour**.