Black tiger shrimp are a popular shrimp variety prized for their large size, sweet flavor, and ease of preparation But where can you buy high-quality black tiger shrimp? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about buying and enjoying these decadent crustaceans.
An Overview of Black Tiger Shrimp
Black tiger shrimp, also called giant tiger prawns, are a species of shrimp found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. They get their name from the distinctive black stripes that run longitudinally down their shells. Black tiger shrimp can grow up to a foot long, making them one of the largest shrimp species.
Their large size translates to a sweet, succulent taste and meaty texture when cooked. The shells turn bright red when cooked while the tail meat remains white with reddish brown spots. Black tiger shrimp have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that adapts well to a variety of seasonings and cooking methods.
Black tiger shrimp are primarily farm-raised through aquaculture in countries like Thailand Indonesia, and China. Farm-raised black tiger shrimp thrive in captivity and account for the majority of the black tiger shrimp supply today.
Where to Buy Fresh Black Tiger Shrimp
When buying black tiger shrimp, freshness is key. Here are some of the best places to buy fresh, high-quality black tiger shrimp:
Local Fish Markets and Seafood Shops
Your best bet for finding super fresh black tiger shrimp is to visit a local fish market or seafood shop. Many seafood shops have tanks where you can hand select live shrimp. This ensures peak freshness. Talk to the fishmonger to find out when they get shipments in and plan your visit accordingly.
Local seafood shops also may carry previously frozen shrimp thawed on ice. Look for plump, firm shrimp with shiny, intact shells. Avoid any shrimp with black spots or foul odors.
Asian Markets
Markets specializing in Asian ingredients often carry fresh and frozen black tiger shrimp. Check the labels to look for the shrimp’s origin and handling practices. Live tanks are less common but you may find some stores with live or recently thawed shrimp.
Online Seafood Retailers
Several reputable online seafood companies ship fresh and frozen black tiger shrimp nationwide. Look for sellers that clearly state where the shrimp come from and how they are processed, stored, and shipped.
Online sources like Great Alaska Seafood and Seattle Fish Co offer overnight shipping on frozen shrimp packed with dry ice to ensure ideal freshness. Opt for next day air shipping when possible.
Big Box Stores
Large retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Walmart typically stock frozen black tiger shrimp. Check labels for the origin, processing method, and best by date. Flash frozen shrimp stored properly at sea and during shipping can still deliver decent quality.
Farmer’s Markets
In coastal areas, you may be able to find black tiger shrimp from local shrimpers at farmer’s markets and fish stands. These are rare but offer the ultimate in freshness and quality when available.
Buying Frozen Black Tiger Shrimp
Frozen black tiger shrimp are more common than fresh and still deliver excellent flavor and texture. Here’s what to look for when buying frozen shrimp:
- Firm, intact shells free of spots or blemishes
- Clear, shiny translucence with visible legs and antennae
- No signs of freezer burn or excessive ice crystals
- Harvested and processed recently for best flavor
- Flash frozen on the boat immediately after catching
- Stored frozen at sea and during shipping
- Vacuum sealed or packed in tight fitting plastic bags
Reputable brands like Seafoods.com and Seattle Fish Co use blast or flash freezing methods to quickly freeze shrimp within hours of harvesting. This preserves quality and freshness.
Opt for domestic frozen shrimp when possible, as imported shrimp often has higher processing and shipping times that degrade quality. Wild-caught Gulf shrimp are a tasty domestic option.
No matter where you buy frozen shrimp, keep them frozen until ready to use. Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp.
Shrimp Sizes to Consider
Black tiger shrimp are categorized by count per pound. Lower counts have the biggest, meatiest shrimp. Here are common commercial sizes:
- U8-U12: Jumbo colossal shrimp with 8-12 shrimp per pound. Around 1.25 inches long. Best for shrimp cocktails and grilling.
- 16-20: Extra jumbo shrimp with 16-20 per pound. 0.8 inches long. Great for pastas, sautes, and frying. More budget friendly.
- 21-25: Jumbo shrimp with 21-25 per pound. 0.75 inches long. Work well in many recipes and provide good value.
- 26-30: Large shrimp with 26-30 per pound. 0.7 inches long. A versatile and economical size.
- 31-40: Medium shrimp with 31-40 per pound. 0.6 inches long. Often used for shrimp skewers.
- 41-50: Small shrimp with 41-50 per pound. 0.5 inches long. Good for salads, soups, and as shrimp cocktail appetizers.
Larger shrimp sizes tend to be more expensive but also more impressive. Evaluate your recipe and budget to decide the best count to purchase.
Judging Shrimp Quality and Freshness
Follow these tips to pick out the highest quality fresh or frozen black tiger shrimp:
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Shells: Should have a shiny appearance with distinctive black tiger stripes. Avoid any yellowing, spots, cracks, or foul odors.
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Veins: Veins running along the back should be grayish black, not yellow or milky white.
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Flesh: Raw flesh should be translucent with a grayish tan, pinkish hue and no yellowing. Cooked flesh turns white.
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Texture: Raw and cooked shrimp should have a firm, springy flesh that tightly curls. Avoid any mushy or limp shrimp.
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Smell: Fresh shrimp have a mild, briny sea smell. Discard any shrimp with an ammonia, fishy, or sour odor.
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Legs: Intact, crunchy legs indicate good handling practices. Broken legs can indicate rough handling.
Prioritize shrimp stored on ice rather than lying exposed at room temperature. For live shrimp tanks, pick active shrimp that swim against currents.
Preparing and Cooking Black Tiger Shrimp
Black tiger shrimp offer versatility in cooking applications. Their large size makes them ideal for grilling, broiling, sautéing, or pan frying. The rich flavor also shines through in pastas, salads, seafood platters, and shrimp cocktail.
Most recipes call for peeled, deveined shrimp. Use kitchen shears or a paring knife to make an incision along the back shell. Peel off the shell then use a paring knife to remove the digestive vein. Rinse thoroughly.
Grilled shrimp can be served with rice pilaf or grilled veggies. Sautéed shrimp pairs nicely with pasta or stir fry. Black tiger shrimp also hold up well to bold seasonings and sauces like Cajun seasoning, garlic butter, lemon pepper, or cocktail sauce.
Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Don’t overcook or they can become rubbery. An instant read thermometer should register 140-145°F.
Black Tiger Shrimp Recipes to Try
Once you’ve secured some juicy black tiger shrimp, put them to delicious use in these recipes:
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Shrimp scampi – Sautéed shrimp in lemony garlic butter sauce over angel hair pasta.
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Coconut curry shrimp – Black tiger shrimp simmered in a creamy Thai red curry coconut sauce. Serve over rice.
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Shrimp tacos – Cajun spiced shrimp with avocado salsa in corn tortillas.
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Shrimp skewers – Chili lime marinated shrimp grilled on skewers with peppers and pineapple.
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Garlicky grilled shrimp – Jumbo shrimp seasoned and grilled with lots of minced garlic.
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Cajun shrimp fettuccine – Blackened shrimp served over creamy Cajun alfredo noodles.
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Shrimp cocktail – Chilled jumbo shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
The versatility of black tiger shrimp means you can use them however you like. Let your imagination run wild!
The Takeaway on Buying Black Tiger Shrimp
For unbeatable shrimp size and flavor, look no further than the delicious black tiger shrimp. Buy from reputable local fish markets, quality online seafood sellers, or the frozen section of Asian and big box stores. Judge shrimp freshness by the smell, texture, and appearance. Then cook these shrimp in pastas, salads, fries, tacos, and more for seafood bliss. Just follow our guide to source high quality black tiger shrimp for your recipes.
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