Freezing fresh shrimp with the shell on is a great way to preserve the flavor, texture, and nutrients of shrimp for longer-term storage. When frozen properly shrimp can retain their quality in the freezer for up to 3 months.
As a seafood lover and amateur chef, I often buy fresh shrimp when it’s in season or on sale to freeze for later meals. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different methods to find the best way to freeze shrimp with the shell on. Here are my tips for freezing shrimp properly so you can enjoy delicious, restaurant-quality shrimp any time
Why Freeze Shrimp in the Shell?
There are a few advantages to freezing shrimp in the shell rather than peeling them first:
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It protects the delicate shrimp flesh from freezer burn The shell acts as a protective barrier against air and prevents dehydration
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It locks in flavor and moisture. The shell seals in the natural juices and seafood essence.
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It saves time later. You don’t have to peel the shrimp before freezing, so they are ready to cook straight from the freezer.
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It extends shelf life. The shell maintains quality longer compared to peeled shrimp.
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It allows for versatility. You can keep the shell on for certain dishes or peel after thawing.
So by freezing shrimp in the shell, you end up with plump, flavorful shrimp perfect for all kinds of recipes.
Tips for Freezing Shrimp in the Shell
Follow these simple steps for frozen shrimp success:
1. Start with fresh shrimp
This is the cardinal rule for freezing any type of seafood. Only freeze very fresh, raw shrimp that have not been previously frozen. Check for signs of freshness like firm flesh and bright, shiny shells. Avoid mushy or discolored shrimp which are past their prime. Starting with high quality shrimp ensures the best texture after freezing and thawing.
2. Wash the shrimp
Give the shrimp a quick rinse under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris clinging to the shell. Then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels so no excess moisture remains on the surface. You don’t want large ice crystals forming during freezing.
3. Prepare the shrimp for freezing
At this point, you can choose whether to freeze shrimp in their whole form or remove the heads first. I prefer removing the heads before freezing since we don’t typically eat the heads anyway. Just pull off the heads and leave the tails intact.
If desired, you can also devein the shrimp without peeling by using a paring knife to slice along the back and remove the digestive vein. This optional step reduces the risk of intestinal bacteria.
4. Arrange shrimp in a single layer
Place the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet or flat surface lined with parchment paper or foil. Make sure none of the shrimp are overlapping or touching each other. Freezing individually helps them retain their shape vs. freezing in a clump.
5. Freeze quickly
Put the baking sheet of shrimp in the freezer for 1-2 hours until completely hard and frozen through. For faster freezing, you can place in the coldest part of the freezer or blast with freezer spray. Quick freezing prevents large ice crystals from forming and damaging texture.
6. Transfer to freezer bags
Once the shrimp are frozen solid, transfer them to freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label the bags with the date and number of shrimp.
7. Return to freezer
Immediately return the sealed bags of frozen shrimp to the freezer. Lay the bags flat in the coldest part of the freezer to maintain optimal quality.
Storage Tips for Frozen Shrimp
With proper storage, you can enjoy frozen shrimp for up to 3 months:
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Maintain freezer temperature of 0°F or below.
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Avoid temperature fluctuations that can cause thawed areas.
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Store shrimp in moisture-proof packaging to prevent freezer burn.
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Place bags flat on a freezer shelf rather than upright or piled.
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Avoid overloading the freezer which can hinder air circulation.
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Inspect bags periodically and use within recommended timeframe.
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Once thawed, do not refreeze shrimp. Cook immediately for food safety.
Thawing Frozen Shrimp
When you’re ready to use your frozen bounty, here are some thawing options:
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Refrigerator thawing: Place frozen shrimp in the refrigerator in a bowl or colander overnight or up to 1-2 days.
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Cold water thawing: Submerge sealed bag of shrimp in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 1 hour thawing time.
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Microwave thawing: Microwave shrimp on defrost setting based on quantity. Stop to check and rearrange shrimp every minute.
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As part of cooking: For stir fries or boiling, you can add frozen shrimp directly to the pan/pot from freezer. Just increase cooking time.
Thawed shrimp can be peeled, deveined, and enjoyed in all your favorite recipes. I like to keep a stash of frozen shrimp on hand for quick weeknight meals and seafood spreads.
StepsMethod
- 1 Pick the shrimp meat from the shells. Cooked shrimp keeps best if its been shelled before freezing. Take off the shells and tails by hand, and if you didn’t take the head off while cooking, snap it off. 1. Don’t leave shrimp that has been cooked out on the counter for more than two hours. Do not shell all the shrimp at once. Instead, put them in the fridge between breaks. For freezing, you don’t have to take out the big vein on the shrimp’s back, but you can if you want to.
- 2 Boil the shrimp for about 10 minutes. Bring water to a boil in a pot, then add the shrimp. Let them cook on low heat for 10 minutes to get rid of any bacteria or shell pieces that are still there. If you’re ready to freeze the shrimp, you don’t need to cook it first. This step gets rid of any harmful bacteria in cooked shrimp. Advertisement .
- 3. Put the shrimp that has been cooked on a baking sheet and freeze it. Take the shrimp out of the pot and spread them out evenly on a baking sheet. Put them in the freezer until they are hard to the touch and firm. This will keep the cooked shrimp from sticking together, which is bad because cooked shrimp stays fresh best when kept separate. [3] To keep the shrimp from going bad, freeze them within one to two days of boiling them. If you don’t have enough room in the fridge to keep cookie sheets for a long time, don’t worry. Once they’ve frozen, you can store them in smaller containers.
- 4 Pack the shrimp in large freezer bags. Once the shrimp are frozen, take the cookie sheet out of the freezer and put the shrimp in bags that can be sealed. Pull out as much air as you can from the bags as you seal them. Then, put them in the freezer. [4] Write the date on the bags before you put them in the freezer. So you’ll know how long you have left before they change.
- 5 Store frozen shrimp for 3-6 months. Shrimp that has been frozen can be kept for up to six months. As soon as the 3 months are up, try to use the shrimp. [5] The shrimp won’t go bad as long as they stay frozen, but they may get freezer burn. [6] .
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Freezing your shrimp will preserve it for up to 6 months without losing flavor. If your shrimp is fresh, remove the heads and shells and rinse it under running water. Then, prepare a brine solution with 2 tablespoons of salt per quart of water. Fill a container that can be sealed with your brine solution. Put the shrimp in the container and put it in the freezer. To keep the shrimp from sticking together after it’s been cooked, put it in the freezer on a baking sheet. Once its frozen, transfer it to sealable freezer bags and return it to the freezer. For more tips, including how to thaw frozen shrimp, read on!.
How to Keep Prawns Fresh in the Freezer
Can shrimp be frozen?
Using a freezer-safe storage bag or container will help to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the shrimp during storage. Make sure that the bag or container is labeled with the date of freezing so that you can keep track of how long the shrimp have been in the freezer.
How do you Freeze frozen shrimp?
Wash the shrimp under running water. Place the shrimp in a bowl and place them under your sink’s faucet. Turn on the water and rinse them thoroughly, removing any visible debris if you notice any. Getting the shrimp wet before freezing them creates an icy glaze that helps them stay preserved longer. Pack the shrimp in rigid containers.
Can you freeze shrimp after boiling?
Freeze the shrimp within 1-2 days after boiling them to keep them from spoiling. If you don’t have enough space to keep cookie sheets in the fridge long-term, don’t worry—you will store them in smaller containers after they’ve frozen. Pack the shrimp in large freezer bags.
How do you store fresh shrimp?
Here are the steps to properly store fresh shrimp: If the shrimp is in a plastic bag, remove it from the bag and rinse the shrimp with cold water. Place the shrimp in a clean container with a lid or cover the container with plastic wrap. Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator.