Need a good idea for an easy weeknight dinner? Try this easy best Costco cilantro lime shrimp recipe. With such simple ingredients for a quick marinade, it comes together in record time. What’s even better is that the cilantro lime sauce can be tailored to your specific palette and tastebuds. If you like easy shrimp recipes, you might also like these jerk shrimp tacos, this hibachi shrimp meal prep bowl, or these shrimp enchilada bowls.
Cilantro lime shrimp is truly a favorite way for me to prepare juicy shrimp. What’s the reason? The dish is very flexible and can be made in many ways, such as lettuce wraps, cilantro lime shrimp tacos, or shrimp bowls. The options are endless in taking this simple protein and recreating it into a delicious dish.
Costco’s pre-marinated cilantro lime shrimp is a fan favorite for its convenience and bold flavorful taste. The shrimp comes fully cooked so it’s ready to eat in salads, tacos, stir fries, and more after a quick thaw. But what if you can’t eat the entire package before it expires? Can you freeze the leftover cilantro lime shrimp from Costco?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp! Freezing allows you to:
- Stock up when it’s on sale
- Avoid waste if you don’t finish the package
- Always have a tasty protein on hand
- Meal prep shrimp dishes in advance
While freezing does slightly change the texture, making it a bit chewier, the shrimp still maintains its great flavor. The cilantro lime shrimp is ideal for pastas, burrito bowls, soups, and other dishes where a rubbery texture won’t be as noticeable.
Follow these tips for successfully freezing Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp:
Drain Any Excess Liquid
Drain off any liquid from the shrimp before freezing Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, Excess moisture can lead to freezer burn and textural changes
Freeze Shrimp in a Single Layer
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate. Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. Freezing in one layer prevents shrimp from sticking together in a block.
Use Freezer Bags or Airtight Containers
Once frozen, transfer shrimp to freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly. This protects against ice crystals and prevents freezer burn.
Label Properly
Make sure to label the bags or containers with the contents and freeze-by date. Consume within 2-3 months for best quality.
Avoid Freezing in Marinade
It’s best not to freeze the shrimp coated in marinade, as acids can break down the texture over long freezing times.
Thaw in the Refrigerator
For best texture, always thaw frozen cilantro lime shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
Following these simple steps will ensure Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp freezes perfectly so you can enjoy it later!
Tips for Freezing Shrimp in General
The guidelines above apply specifically to Costco’s pre-cooked cilantro lime product. But you can also successfully freeze raw shrimp or shrimp you cooked yourself. Here are some tips:
-
Peel, devein, and rinse raw shrimp before freezing. Dry thoroughly.
-
Sort shrimp by size so they freeze evenly.
-
Lightly salt or lemon-juice raw shrimp before freezing to minimize freezer burn.
-
Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet or pan and freeze until solid.
-
Store frozen shrimp in airtight bags or containers, removing air.
-
Raw shrimp keeps 6 months frozen; cooked shrimp 3-4 months.
-
Thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator or under cool running water.
-
Don’t refreeze previously frozen shrimp. Cook within 1-2 days.
Proper freezing and storage maintains the safety and quality of all types of shrimp.
How to Store Thawed Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Once thawed, follow these guidelines to store Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp:
-
Keep thawed shrimp refrigerated at 40°F or below.
-
Place in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
-
If freezing without marinade, coat the shrimp lightly in olive oil or lemon juice to maintain moisture.
-
Use within 3 days for best quality and food safety.
-
Do not refreeze previously frozen shrimp.
Proper refrigerated storage keeps the shrimp fresh and moist.
How to Reheat Frozen Cilantro Lime Shrimp
The best reheating methods for frozen Costco cilantro lime shrimp are:
Stovetop:
-
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Add frozen shrimp in a single layer. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until warmed through.
Grill:
-
Lightly oil grill grates.
-
Add shrimp directly to hot grill. Cook 2-3 minutes per side with lid closed.
Microwaving can make the texture rubbery. Baking at 400°F on a sheet pan also works. Only reheat until warmed through, not beyond that. Overcooking leads to tough, chewy shrimp.
Delicious Ways to Use Frozen Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Once thawed and reheated, incorporate the frozen cilantro lime shrimp into quick weeknight meals:
-
Tacos – Top warmed tortillas with shrimp, avocado, cotija cheese, and salsa.
-
Salad – Toss shrimp with mixed greens, lime vinaigrette, and radishes.
-
Burrito bowls – Combine shrimp with rice, beans, veggies, avocado, and hot sauce.
-
Stir fries – Stir fry shrimp with snap peas, baby corn, and teriyaki or Thai sauce.
-
Pasta – Toss shrimp with linguine, basil pesto, chopped tomatoes and Parmesan.
-
Soup – Add to seafood chowders and tomato-based shrimp bisques.
-
Sandwiches – Stuff a toasted baguette with shrimp, arugula, tomato and remoulade.
The convenience of having frozen cilantro lime shrimp on hand means you can quickly assemble delicious weekday meals.
FAQs
-
How long does frozen cilantro lime shrimp last? Properly stored in airtight packaging, it maintains best quality for 2-3 months in the freezer.
-
Can you refreeze shrimp after thawing? It’s not recommended. Only thaw the amount you will use within a couple days.
-
Is it safe to eat frozen shrimp past the expiration date? Quality declines after the date, but it is generally still safe. Use your judgment based on appearance and smell.
-
Should you rinse off the marinade before freezing? No, the acidic marinade can start “cooking” the shrimp. It’s best to freeze coated in the marinade.
-
Can you freeze raw shrimp in the cilantro lime marinade? Yes, but increase cooking time later to ensure it cooks through fully.
-
What’s the best way to thaw frozen shrimp? In the refrigerator overnight is ideal. Cool running water also works well.
The Bottom Line
Costco’s convenient cilantro lime shrimp can be successfully frozen for enjoying weeks later. Follow the proper preparation, freezing, storage, and reheating methods, and you’ll have delicious shrimp at the ready anytime. With a bag in the freezer, you can whip up quick shrimp tacos, salads, pastas, and more!
WHAT TYPE OF SHRIMP TO USE
There are a few types of shrimp that I would recommend for this simple recipe. But I wouldn’t always suggest pre-cooked shrimp because this recipe calls for a marinade instead of cooking the shrimp. a cilantro lime finisher. The types of raw shrimp that will pair well with this marinade are:
White shrimp – these shrimp are translucent in color when raw however turn pink when cooked. These shrimp are easy to peel and are tender with a slightly sweet flavor.
Pink shrimp – these shrimp are generally pink when raw and a deeper pink when cooked. These shrimp are small and sweet however do tend to be on the smaller side.
Argentina Red Shrimp – with a slightly sweeter flavor, these shrimp have a more elegant feel to them. They have a taste a texture that will remind you of lobster.
HOW TO SERVE LIME SHRIMP
To serve this tasty Costco cilantro lime shrimp recipe, you can do a lot of different things. To begin, you can serve this as a simple starter that tastes like shrimp cocktail but with cilantro lime flavor. Add a bit of extra lime zest on top and it’s fancy enough to serve on a platter. Another good option would be as a shrimp burrito. Put some black beans, bell peppers, pico de gallo, and spinach or another leafy green on your favorite whole wheat burrito. It will taste great every time you eat it. You could, however, skip the burrito and make it into a burrito bowl with red rice instead. You can add the same ingredients and top with some guacamole.
