This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.
Here are the best ways for how to thaw shrimp! Whether you think ahead the night before or only have 15 minutes, we’ve got you covered.
Making shrimp for dinner? Frozen shrimp is convenient for weeknight dinners: because shrimp cooks so quickly, dinner can be on the table in no time! But how to get from frozen to dinner? We’ve got a few different methods: whether you’re thinking about it the day before (go you!) or the moment your stomach is rumbling. Here’s how to thaw shrimp!
How to thaw shrimp: Refrigerate the night before!
The best and easiest method for how to thaw shrimp? Toss them in the refrigerator the night before. Yes, if you think ahead: defrosting shrimp takes no effort at all. All you need is to let them do their thing in the fridge. Here are a few things to note about this method:
- It takes about 12 hours for the shrimp to defrost in the refrigerator.
- Once they’re defrosted, use them within 48 hour.
How to thaw shrimp: the 15 minute method!
If you’re like us, and we assume you are, you probably didn’t think ahead about your frozen shrimp. It’s dinnertime, and your stomach is already rumbling. Never fear: we’ve got a method that takes about 15 minutes (give or take a few minutes based on the size of the shrimp). Here’s how to thaw shrimp the day of cooking:
- Remove the shrimp from the package and place them in a large bowl of very cold water.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes. Stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together.
- The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp (very large shrimp can take up to 20 minutes).
That’s it! Go forth and eat.
A few of our favorite shrimp recipes
Once you’ve thawed your shrimp, you probably already have a recipe in mind. But could we convince you to try one of these favorite shrimp dinner ideas?
- Garlic Butter Shrimp A favorite! Fresh, savory, garlicky: and done in 10 minutes.
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Zesty and fresh, it’s perfect with rice and guacamole.
- Shrimp and Broccoli Scented with soy sauce and rice vinegar, it comes together quickly! Serve with rice or over noodles.
- Coconut Shrimp Curry Tastes better than a restaurant in under 30 minutes! It’s a Thai red curry flavored with coconut milk and curry paste.
- Easy Baked Shrimp The very best flavor, seasoned with garlic and herbs. Add a crispy breading for an irresistible crunch!
- Shrimp Tacos A quick dinner that’s over the top delicious!
- Classic Shrimp Boil This easy meal of corn, potatoes and shrimp is perfect for a crowd. No plates required!
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil A quick and easy way to make a shrimp boil…in the oven!
How to Thaw Shrimp
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 pound 1x
Description
Here are the best ways for how to thaw shrimp! Whether you think ahead the night before or only have 15 minutes, we’ve got you covered.
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen shrimp
Instructions
- Night before: Remove the shrimp from the package and place it in a container with a cover in the refrigerator. The shrimp will be ready in 12 hours (once they are thawed, use them within 48 hours.
- Day of: Remove the shrimp from the package and place them in a large bowl of very cold water for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to break up clumps that freeze together. The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp.
- Category: Essentials
- Method: Defrosting
- Cuisine: Seafood
Keywords: How to thaw shrimp