Is Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp Already Cooked?

Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp is a popular ready-to-eat item that many people grab for a quick and easy meal, But one question that often comes up is – is Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp already cooked or does it need additional preparation before eating?

An Overview of Costco’s Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp is a prepared shrimp dish sold in their pre-packaged refrigerated seafood section. The shrimp are coated in a sauce or marinade made with lime, cilantro, garlic, and butter or olive oil. The shrimp come fully-cooked, meaning no additional cooking is required before eating.

The cilantro lime shrimp is one of Costco’s signature ready-to-eat seafood items. It’s loved for its convenience – you can take it straight from the fridge to the plate with minimal prep needed. The tangy lime and fresh cilantro flavors also make it a crowd-pleasing party appetizer.

How to Tell If Costco Shrimp Is Pre-Cooked

If you’re unsure whether a package of Costco cilantro lime shrimp is cooked, there are a few easy ways to tell

• Color – The shrimp will be an opaque light pink or white color if pre-cooked Raw shrimp is more grayish or translucent looking.

• Texture – Pre-cooked shrimp will be firm when raw. Raw shrimp has a mushier, slippery texture before cooking.

• Ingredients – Check the package labeling. Pre-cooked shrimp is usually labeled as “fully cooked” or “ready to eat”.

• Cooking instructions – If there are no instructions to cook or heat the shrimp, that’s a sign it’s already pre-cooked.

Why Costco’s Shrimp Comes Pre-Cooked

There are a few reasons why Costco sells their cilantro lime shrimp fully cooked:

• Food safety – Pre-cooking the shrimp eliminates risks from raw seafood handling and storage.

• Convenience – Customers can use the shrimp right away without having to cook it themselves.

• Consistency – Pre-cooking allows Costco to control the doneness and texture.

• Shelf life – Cooking the shrimp extends the shelf life from just a couple days for raw, up to a week when cooked.

The pre-cooking makes this shrimp dish effortless while also giving Costco better quality control.

How Costco’s Shrimp Is Cooked

While the exact cooking method may vary, Costco likely boils or steams their shrimp until just fully cooked through. Shrimp turn from grey to opaque pink/white when they reach an internal temperature of around 140°F.

Cooking the shrimp briefly until just done helps retain moisture and texture, rather than overcooking which can make shrimp rubbery. Costco aims for the shrimp to have a firm yet tender and juicy bite.

How to Use Costco’s Pre-Cooked Shrimp

Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp is ready to eat straight out of the package if desired. But there are also easy ways to incorporate it into recipes:

• Serve cold on top of salads or as an appetizer dip with cocktail sauce.

• Quickly heat in a skillet or microwave to use in tacos, sandwiches, pasta, or rice bowls.

• Mix into fresh pico de gallo, ceviche, or gazpacho.

• Skewer for shrimp kabobs to grill or broil.

• Fold into an omelette or frittata.

• Top nachos, pizza, stuffed potatoes, or avocado toast.

The pre-cooked shrimp requires minimal time and preparation, making it extremely versatile. Just a couple minutes is needed to gently reheat for serving warm or incorporate into chilled dishes and appetizers.

How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last?

Costco’s pre-cooked cilantro lime shrimp typically has a use by date around 6-7 days from the packaging date. However, you can maximize freshness and shelf life using these storage tips:

• Keep shrimp refrigerated at 40°F or below.

• Use within 3-4 days for peak quality and flavor.

• Freeze for longer storage. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.

• Don’t refreeze previously thawed shrimp.

• Discard if shrimp develops off odors, stickiness, or mushy texture.

With proper refrigerated storage, the pre-cooked shrimp stays fresh and ready to eat for several days past the sell by date. Freezing can extend shelf life for a couple months.

Is Costco’s Shrimp Worth Buying?

Costco’s ready-to-eat cilantro lime shrimp offers a convenient shortcut to an easy protein-packed meal or appetizer. The pre-cooking ensures reliable results with minimal effort. Many customers consider it a staple freezer item and time-saving dinner solution worth buying.

However, the price per pound is higher than buying raw shrimp. You also pay for the convenience of pre-seasoning and cooking. If seeking to maximize value per ounce, raw frozen shrimp may be the better deal for some.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costco’s shrimp cooked?

Yes, Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp comes fully cooked and ready to eat straight from the package. Additional cooking is optional.

How can you tell if the shrimp is pre-cooked?

Pre-cooked shrimp will be pink/white, firm, and labeled as ready-to-eat. Raw shrimp is grayish and more slippery.

How do they cook the shrimp?

Costco likely either steams or boils the shrimp briefly until just opaque and cooked through. This retains moisture and texture.

How long does the cooked shrimp last?

Store refrigerated at 40°F and use within 3-4 days for best quality, though it’s often edible up to a week.

Is Costco’s pre-cooked shrimp worth it?

It provides reliable results with minimal work, but you pay a premium for that convenience compared to raw shrimp.

So in conclusion, yes – Costco’s popular cilantro lime shrimp comes already fully cooked and ready to eat. Its convenience and fool-proof shrimp flavor makes it a staple for many customers. With proper refrigerated storage, it stays fresh several days past the sell by date.