How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp

Explore this Article

methods

1 Using Cold Water

2 Thawing in the Refrigerator

3 Using Boiling Water

Other Sections

Expert Q&A

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

43 Recipe Ratings

Co-authored by Sophia Bell

Last Updated: September 11, 2021

Shrimp are a delectable seafood item that can be used in a variety of dishes. Most shrimp are individually quick frozen (IQF) soon after being caught. Only buy thawed shrimp if you’re sure it’s fresh and has never been frozen! You can defrost frozen shrimp quickly by submerging it in cold water. Alternatively, you can place frozen shrimp in a covered bowl and allow them to thaw in your refrigerator overnight. You can also put frozen shrimp in boiling water for 1 minute to thaw them.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Cold Water

1. 
   1
   Place the frozen shrimp in a colander or sieve. Remove the desired amount of frozen shrimp from the freezer. Reseal the bag and replace the remaining shrimp in the freezer, if necessary. Place the frozen shrimp in a colander or a mesh sieve.
2. 
   2
   Put the colander in a large bowl of cold tap water for 10 minutes. Fill a large bowl with cold tap water and place it in your kitchen sink. Put the colander inside the bowl so that the shrimp are completely covered in cold water. Leave them submerged for 10 minutes.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Replace the water with fresh, cold water. Remove the colander or sieve full of shrimp from the bowl of water. Dump out the water and refill the bowl with fresh, cold, tap water. Place the colander or sieve full of shrimp back in the water. Again, you want to make sure the shrimp are completely submerged.
4. 
   4
   Let the shrimp thaw for another 10 to 20 minutes. Allow the shrimp to sit in the cold water for another 10 to 20 minutes. At that point they should be completely defrosted but still cold.
5. 
   5
   Remove the shrimp from the water and pat them dry. Remove the colander or sieve from the bowl and let the water drain out. Take the shrimp out of the bowl and pat them dry with a paper or kitchen towel before cooking and using them in your recipe or dish.
   Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Thawing in the Refrigerator

1. 
   1
   Remove the shrimp from the freezer. If you only want to use a portion of shrimp you bought, remove the desired amount from the bag, then reseal the bag and place it back in the freezer. You can also thaw the entire bag of frozen shrimp at one time.
2. 
   2
   Place the shrimp in a covered bowl. Put the shrimp in a bowl. Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or with plastic wrap. Make sure the bowl is sealed tightly.
3. 
   3
   Thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Place the covered bowl in the refrigerator. Allow the shrimp to gradually thaw overnight, or for about 12 hours. They’ll be ready to use in your dish the next day.
4. 
   4
   Rinse and dry the shrimp. Put your shrimp in a colander or sieve and rinse them under cool, running water to remove any ice particles. Then, use a paper or kitchen towel to pat the shrimp dry.
5. 
   5
   Use the shrimp within 48 hours. Once your shrimp are thawed, you should use them within 48 hours to ensure they are still fresh and safe to eat. You could also refreeze them within this period, if you’d like.
   Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Boiling Water

1. 
   1
   Boil water in a large pot. Fill a large pot with enough water to completely cover the amount of shrimp you wish to thaw. Place it on a stovetop burner at medium-high heat and allow the water to come to a boil.
2. 
   2
   Add the shrimp to the water and leave them for 1 minute. Once the water is boiling, carefully place your frozen shrimp in the water. Allow them to sit in the boiling water for 1 minute.

   • If your shrimp are stuck together, separate them before placing them in the boiling water.
3. 
   3
   Remove the shrimp from the boiling water. Turn off your burner. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the boiling water.
4. 
   4
   Pat the shrimp dry before cooking them. Place the shrimp on a paper or kitchen towel and pat them dry. Boiling your shrimp for 1 minute does not cook them, it simply defrosts them, so be sure to thoroughly cook your shrimp before eating them.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  How long does it take to boil shrimp?

  

  Ashley Crawford
  Private Chef

  Chef Ashley Crawford is a Private Chef and the Founder of A Taste of Chef Ash. Chef Ashley started in the culinary industry when she was 14. She specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisine but has experience in all culinary topics. She has been featured in ESPN and Sports Illustrated for her culinary work with athletes.

  

  Ashley Crawford

  Private Chef

  Expert Answer

  If your shrimp are small, then boil them for about 2–3 minutes. If you have larger shrimp, then boil them for 5–7 minutes instead.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
• Question

  Do I have to keep shrimp on ice while serving them for a party?

  

  Community Answer

  I would say yes, just to be on the safe side. Food poisoning is very serious.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

• Fully defrost your shrimp before cooking it for best results.
  Thanks

  Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t leave seafood out of the refrigerator for more than one hour before eating or storing it in order to prevent foodborne illness.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Advertisement

Warnings

• Thawing your shrimp in the microwave can lead to a mushy texture and strange flavor, so it’s best to avoid using the microwave.
  Thanks

  Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Eating raw seafood can lead to foodborne illness. Cook your seafood before consuming it.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Buying frozen shrimp from the freezer section of your market is actually safer than buying previously frozen and defrosted shrimp from the seafood counter.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

Using Cold Water

• Colander or mesh sieve
• Large bowl
• Cold water
• Paper or kitchen towel

Thawing in the Refrigerator

• Bowl
• Tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap
• Refrigerator

Using Boiling Water

• Stovetop burner
• Large pot
• Water
• Slotted spoon
• Paper or kitchen towel