This may seem like a contradiction, but the best way to be sure that your shrimp are as fresh as possible is to buy them frozen at the store or online. That’s because every minute a shrimp is not frozen, it is losing freshness.
Finding the right size shrimp for your recipes and reading labels to avoid farm-raised imported shrimp are some of the other things you should think about when buying shrimp. The fresh vs. frozen question is a common one.
We explain why buying frozen shrimp is usually the best way to get the freshest taste and quality.
Most people don’t know that almost all raw shrimp on the market has been frozen at some point. When wild shrimp are caught in the Gulf or South Atlantic, they are usually frozen right away to keep them fresh. Some smaller boats might not freeze them, but they do put them on ice until they get to land. If those shrimp are then processed (sorted, de-headed, peeled, deveined, etc. ), they are quickly packaged and re-frozen immediately to lock in that same freshness.
If you buy fresh (not frozen) shrimp from a shrimp boat or a seafood counter, they might have just come from the water or have only recently thawed. If they have already thawed, they will lose their freshness the longer they are out. People who buy frozen shrimp can be sure that they are getting the next best thing to fresh shrimp straight from the water.
Once shrimp are frozen, they are usually either Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) or block frozen (usually in a 5 lb. box). IQF is the most common way for grocery stores and online shrimp companies to freeze shrimp. If you buy IQF shrimp, each one is frozen separately and comes in a bag with other frozen shrimp, usually one or two pounds. Both IQF and block are excellent choices in terms of freshness being “frozen in. You can take out as many IQF shrimp as you need for your recipe and then put the rest back in the freezer. This is great because each shrimp is frozen separately. They are also quick and easy to thaw (typically just a few minutes under room temperature tap water).
Block frozen shrimp are typically sold in 5 lb boxes, and lend themselves well to making larger quantities. Ideally, it’s best to thaw a 5 lb. box in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours and then break it up into the amount you want once it’s easy to do so. Then, you can refreeze the unused portion immediately. To quote the USDA directly on this:
“If cooked or raw food thaws in the fridge, it is safe to freeze it again without cooking or heating it, but the quality may go down because of the water loss during thawing.” ”.
No matter which choice you make, our helpful blog post with videos on the subject will show you the best and easiest way to thaw shrimp.
The first thing you should do when buying shrimp at the store is read the labels and packaging. Wild-caught shrimp from American waters should have labels that say so. Check the bag carefully to make sure it has words like “wild-caught” and “Gulf of Mexico” or “Atlantic.” ” (There are Gulfs in foreign countries as well, so make sure it’s the Gulf of Mexico). Always check the packaging to make sure it doesn’t list another country. Some foreign processors will try to trick customers by saying things are “Made in USA” or “Product of USA” when they were actually grown in another country. In order to tell if a product is truly American, the words on the packaging are very important. S. waters. If there’s ever any doubt, ask anyone who works in the seafood section.
If you follow these tips, you should always be able to find the freshest shrimp! Click HERE to order wild-caught American shrimp that is guaranteed to be fresh for yourself or your business.
If you’ve cooked much with frozen shrimp, you may have wondered – does frozen shrimp weigh more than after it’s thawed? It’s a common question for home cooks When a recipe calls for a specific weight of shrimp, should you thaw extra to account for melted ice weight?
The short answer is yes – frozen shrimp weighs significantly more than thawed shrimp But the exact difference depends on multiple factors
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- Why frozen shrimp weighs more than thawed
- How much weight is lost when shrimp thaw
- The best practice for measuring frozen shrimp for recipes
- Tips for handling and cooking thawed shrimp
Let’s dive in!
Why Does Frozen Shrimp Weigh More?
Frozen shrimp weighs more than thawed for one simple reason – ice. Each shrimp is encased in a shell of ice when frozen.
This added ice accounts for extra weight on the scale. Once thawed, all that ice melts away, leaving just the weight of the shrimp itself.
Additionally, during freezing extra moisture is drawn out from the shrimp’s flesh. This excess water is trapped in the ice. It’s released when thawed, further reducing the weight.
So frozen shrimp includes the weight of both ice and extracted moisture. Thawed shrimp contains only the weight of the actual shrimp meat.
How Much Less Does Thawed Shrimp Weigh?
When thawed and drained, shrimp loses between 12-25% of its frozen weight. That’s a pretty significant reduction!
The exact percentage of weight loss can vary based on:
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Shrimp size – Smaller shrimp have higher surface area, so ice contributes more weight. Small shrimp can lose up to 25% when thawed.
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Shell-on vs peeled – Shells contain more frozen ice than peeled. Shell-on shrimp will weigh less after thawing.
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Brands – Some brands seem to inject more moisture before freezing. Their shrimp loses more weight.
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Time frozen – The longer shrimp is frozen, the more dehydrated it gets, increasing weight loss.
While the exact number fluctuates, you can expect around a 15-20% reduction in weight after thawing and draining frozen shrimp.
Best Practice for Measuring Frozen Shrimp
Given the significant weight difference, what’s the best way to measure out frozen shrimp required for a recipe?
Don’t rely on weight. Trying to guess how much extra to thaw leads to over or under-portioning.
Instead, count the individual shrimp pieces based on expected yield per pound listed on the bag.
For example, if a recipe calls for 8 oz of large shrimp:
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Check the packaging label for the shrimp count per pound, such as 26/30.
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The upper number is the max pieces expected per pound.
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So for 8 oz, count out 15 large shrimp (half of the 30 count per pound).
This shrimp count method works consistently regardless of freezing variables. The labeled count is based on the raw, unfrozen weight.
So rely on individually counting out the exact number of frozen shrimp pieces needed rather than weighing.
Handling Thawed Shrimp for Cooking
Once you’ve measured out the proper count of frozen shrimp for your recipe, thaw them using either:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator (safest method)
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Place sealed bag of shrimp in cold water for 30 minutes
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Microwave on defrost setting if absolutely needed
Then drain off any excess liquid before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels.
Account for the lighter weight by adjusting cooking times. Thawed shrimp cooks faster with less internal ice. Reduce stove top steaming or sautéing by 1-2 minutes.
Finally, add thawed shrimp at the very end of cooking soups, pastas, and stir fries to prevent overcooking.
Thawed Shrimp Storage and Food Safety
For food safety, only thaw the amount of shrimp needed per meal. Refreeze any unused thawed shrimp immediately.
Store thawed shrimp drained in a bowl on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Use within 2 days.
Don’t leave thawed shrimp at room temperature over 40°F for more than 1 hour. Discard any with an unpleasant, fishy odor.
Handle raw shrimp carefully to avoid cross contamination in the kitchen. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after contact. Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Follow these simple practices for measuring, thawing, and handling shrimp, and you’ll get perfect results in your seafood recipes.
So now that you know frozen shrimp does weigh significantly more than thawed, use the handy shrimp count method instead of worrying about getting weights exactly right. Then account for the lighter thawed shrimp when cooking. Your shrimp dishes will turn out perfectly!
Common Frozen Shrimp Questions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about working with frozen shrimp:
Do I need to thaw shrimp before cooking?
You can cook frozen shrimp directly by increasing cook times. But for better flavor and texture, thaw first.
How can I tell if thawed shrimp has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled thawed shrimp include an ammonia-like scent, mushy texture, or dull flesh. Discard any that fail the smell test.
Is it safe to refreeze thawed shrimp?
Yes, as long as they were thawed properly in the refrigerator and not left at room temperature too long before refreezing.
Should I rinse thawed shrimp?
No need to rinse thawed shrimp. Simply pat dry with paper towels before cooking.
Can I microwave frozen shrimp to thaw?
You can use the defrost setting to speed thaw frozen shrimp. But thawing in the refrigerator is safer.
How many shrimp should I buy per person?
For a main course serving, plan on 6-8 medium or 4-5 jumbo shrimp per person. Adjust up for appetizers or down for sides.
So now that you know why frozen shrimp weighs more than thawed and how to account for it when cooking, you’ll be prepping perfect shrimp dishes in no time!
How to Cook With Frozen Shrimp | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
Does frozen seafood weigh more than thawed?
Should you buy shrimp frozen or thawed?
Does shrimp weigh less after cooking?
How many frozen shrimp in a pound?
Can You thaw frozen shrimp?
Thawing shrimp depends on how much time you have. Here are some safe ways to thaw frozen shrimp: Place frozen shrimp in a bowl to catch drips. Thaw in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. Once thawed, use within 1-2 days. Place shrimp in a leak-proof bag. Submerge bag in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Place shrimp in a microwave-safe bowl.
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
Is frozen shrimp better than fresh?
Frozen shrimp is great for its versatility and convenience, but also for its flavor. Buying frozen shrimp does not mean that the quality or flavor will be worse than fresh. In fact, it will often taste even fresher because most frozen seafood is flash-frozen on the boat it was caught on, which preserves the fresh-from-the-sea taste.
Should shrimp be thawed before cooking?
The short answer is yes. For safety and best results, shrimp need to be thawed before cooking. There are a few reasons why: Thawed shrimp cook more evenly. Frozen areas take longer to cook. Frozen or partially frozen shrimp are prone to overcooking on the outside before the inside thaws. Thawed shrimp absorb marinades and seasonings better.