How Long to Cook Frozen Shrimp in a Slow Cooker for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp

Cooking shrimp can be intimidating for home cooks. It’s easy to overcook shrimp, turning them from tender and juicy to rubbery and dry. Using a slow cooker takes the guesswork out of cooking shrimp. The low, steady heat gently cooks the shrimp until they are perfectly done.

Cooking frozen shrimp in a slow cooker is convenient time saving and results in foolproof shrimp every time. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know to cook frozen shrimp in a slow cooker, including

• Benefits of using a slow cooker for shrimp
• Difference between cooking frozen vs thawed shrimp
• How long to cook various sizes of shrimp
• Tips for monitoring doneness
• Flavoring ideas and recipe inspiration

After reading you’ll be ready to make tasty shrimp dishes like gumbo jambalaya, and more in your slow cooker!

Why Cook Shrimp in a Slow Cooker?

Slow cookers are ideal for cooking shrimp for a few reasons:

• Even heating: The enclosed environment and steady low heat leads to uniform cooking. No more shrimp that are overdone on the outside but undercooked inside!

• Moist heat Slow cookers trap moisture resulting in tender juicy shrimp rather than dry, rubbery ones.

• Hands-off: Once you add the shrimp to the slow cooker, you can walk away. No need to constantly stir and monitor like when cooking on the stovetop.

• Infused flavors: The long cooking time allows flavors to fully develop and penetrate the shrimp.

• Easy cleanup: Slow cookers cut down on dirtied dishes and messy stovetop splatters.

So if you want perfectly cooked shrimp with minimal effort, break out your slow cooker!

Frozen Vs. Thawed Shrimp

You can use either frozen or thawed shrimp in your slow cooker recipes. Here’s the difference:

• Frozen: This is the quickest and easiest option. No need to plan ahead and defrost. Cook times remain the same.

• Thawed: Defrosting first can lead to more even cooking, but requires planning in advance. Cook thawed shrimp 1-2 hours on low.

No matter which you use, don’t cook frozen shrimp on high heat or they can become rubbery. Low and slow is best!

How Long to Cook Shrimp

Shrimp cooks fast, so slow cooker times are quite short compared to standard recipes. Here are general guidelines for how long to cook shrimp in a slow cooker:

• Small shrimp (36-40 count): 1-2 hours on low
• Medium shrimp (26-30 count): 1 1/2 – 3 hours on low
• Large shrimp (16-20 count): 2-3 hours on low
• Jumbo shrimp (10-15 count): 2 1/2 – 4 hours on low

These times are for frozen shrimp added straight to the slow cooker. Defrosted shrimp will cook 30-60 minutes faster.

Start checking doneness after the minimum cook time to avoid overcooked rubbery shrimp. The cooking time can also vary depending on other ingredients in the recipe.

How to Tell When Shrimp Is Done

It’s important to monitor shrimp and test doneness instead of solely relying on cook times. Here are three easy ways to tell when shrimp is fully cooked:

• Color: The shrimp will turn from translucent gray to solid opaque pink/white.

• Texture: Properly cooked shrimp will be firm yet still tender when poked. They will curl into a “C” shape.

• Temperature: Use an instant read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the shrimp has reached 145°F.

Discard any shrimp that are still gray or transparent in the center. It’s better to slightly undercook than overcook.

Seasonings and Flavor Ideas

One benefit of slow cooking is it allows time for seasonings and ingredients to impart flavor into the mild tasting shrimp.

Some tasty seasonings and ingredients to experiment with:

• Garlic, onions, shallots
• Lemon juice, lime juice, orange zest
• Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, paprika, cayenne
• Thyme, oregano, cilantro, parsley
• Tomatoes, bell peppers, celery
• White wine, broth, clam juice
• Coconut milk, crushed tomatoes

Try out various ethnic flavor profiles like Cajun, Thai, or Italian. The possibilities are endless!

Slow Cooker Shrimp Recipe Inspiration

Beyond basic seasoned shrimp, there are many creative ways to use shrimp in slow cooker meals:

• Jambalaya – Shrimp + Andouille sausage, chicken, onion, bell pepper, rice
• Seafood gumbo – Shrimp, scallops, crab, okra, Creole seasoning
• Shrimp scampi – Shrimp, garlic, lemon, white wine, pasta
• Shrimp bisque – Shrimp, onion, celery, cream, sherry
• Shrimp fajitas – Shrimp, peppers, onion, Mexican spices, tortillas
• Coconut curry shrimp – Shrimp, coconut milk, curry powder, veggies
• Honey garlic shrimp – Shrimp, honey, soy sauce, garlic, spinach

The options are endless! Use your slow cooker for easy weeknight meals or impressive dishes for a dinner party.

Slow Cooker Shrimp FAQs

Have any other questions about cooking shrimp in a slow cooker? Here are some common FAQs:

Can you overcook shrimp in a slow cooker?

Yes, it is possible if cooked for much longer than the recommended time. Always set a timer and start checking doneness at the minimum cook time.

Should the shrimp be de-veined?

It’s not mandatory, but de-veining helps remove the gritty vein and improves the appearance.

Is it necessary to peel the shrimp first?

Peeling is recommended as it allows seasonings to better penetrate the shrimp and makes for easier eating.

What temperature should the slow cooker be set on?

Cook shrimp on low – high heat can quickly make the shrimp tough.

Can you add shrimp frozen or should they be thawed first?

You can add frozen shrimp straight to the slow cooker with no thawing needed! Just be sure not to cook on high heat.

Get Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time

Cooking shrimp in a slow cooker couldn’t be easier. Just add your favorite flavors and ingredients, set it to low, and let it gently cook until tender and juicy. No more guessing about doneness or ending up with overcooked rubber shrimp!

Start experimenting with some of the delicious recipes mentioned in this article. Slow cooked shrimp also makes fantastic tacos, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more.