17 Of The Easiest Recipes Using Frozen Shrimp

You can buy frozen shrimp in bulk and then use it a handful at a time in so many different recipes. This is a versatile seafood that goes well in stir-fries, fried rice, salads, curries, and even sandwiches.

Shrimp is a particularly mild-tasting seafood too so you can use it as the base of a heavily-flavored dish and let it take on some strong flavors.

This can include Cajun spices, Mexican spices, citrus fruit, pineapple, or garlic and it will still stand up well. 

In this guide, we will look at 14 easy recipes to use frozen shrimp. We will also have a bonus section for frozen shrimp that goes with a particular ingredient. 

Easy Recipes Using Frozen Shrimp

Cajun Shrimp
Mexican Shrimp Tostadas (see also ‘20 Best Tostada Recipes‘)
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Scampi
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice
Asian Shrimp Salad
Brazilian Shrimp Soup
Shrimp Alfredo
Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Citrus Shrimp Salad
Shrimp PoBoy Sandwich
Shrimp and Corn Salad
Garlic Shrimp Linguine Pasta
Garlic Shrimp
Creamy Garlic Shrimp

1. Cajun Shrimp

This recipe works best if you can leave the shrimp to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

In a bowl, combine your shrimp with olive oil, paprika, garlic, salt, onion powder, dried thyme, basil (oregano works well too), black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Once ready to cook, heat up a skillet pan over a medium-high heat and coat with oil to fry the shrimp in batches. Serve with burritos, rice, on tacos, or in a salad.

2. Mexican Shrimp Tostadas

Another spicy shrimp dish to try is Mexican Shrimp Tostadas. First, create a salsa from sweetcorn, diced red onion, tomato and avocado with chopped cilantro, and lime juice.

Spice up your shrimp by mixing it with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and seasoning.

Bake your tostadas with a layer of black beans until the cheese has melted on top, fry the shrimp until pink and assemble with the salsa. 

3. Grilled Shrimp Tacos

For another enclosed shrimp recipe, try them grilled in tacos.

Create a salsa from blitzed jalapeño pepper, shallot, and garlic then add to a diced tomato and avocado with salt, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chopped cilantro leaves.

Season the defrosted shrimp with olive oil, salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper then grill until opaque. 

Grill the tortillas then fill with salsa, around three shrimp, some red cabbage and a dollop of sour cream. These go really well with a sprinkling of lime juice too.

4. Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi is so easy to do, but make sure you defrost the shrimp in some salted ice water first, though you can keep the shell on.

Sauté your red pepper flakes with garlic in olive oil and butter then add the shrimp and coat in the white wine.

Bring it up to a boil, turn over the shrimp, remove from the heat and toss in lemon juice, parsley, and black pepper. A simple bread roll goes really well with this, simply to soak in the sauce.

5. Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice

The tartness of pineapple goes really well with shrimp. Fry your defrosted shrimp in olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet then add seasoning and remove to a plate.

Heat up some more olive oil and fry the diced bell pepper then the garlic and green onions with some leftover rice. 

Now it is time to add your pineapple chunks then drizzle on pineapple juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Once fully combined, remove the pan from the heat and add in the shrimp to warm through.

6. Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice

Cauliflower and shrimp may seem like an odd combination but they combine deliciously here. Fry some butter and cook the defrosted shrimp until pink with some salt then set aside.

Scramble the eggs then set them aside while you sauté diced onion, carrots, whole peas, garlic, and ginger in sesame oil. 

Create a simple, flavorful sauce by whisking soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, and oyster sauce.

Add the riced cauliflower to the pan and add the sauce to combine until the caulirice has crisped then return the shrimp and eggs to the pan. Combine it all together and serve. 

7. Asian Shrimp Salad

As a versatile seafood, shrimp goes with all types of cuisine, including Asian. Toss the defrosted shrimp in olive oil then bake until cooked through.

Make your dressing by shaking together rice vinegar, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and olive oil and add some of it to the shrimp with chili paste and lime juice. 

Create an Asian salad with carrots, snap peas, shredded napa and red cabbage, cilantro, and mint leaves then toss with the remaining dressing. Top with the shrimp and dig in. 

8. Brazilian Shrimp Soup

Try shrimp in some South American cuisine too. Heat up some coconut oil in a heavy bottomed pot and sear the defrosted shrimp then remove and set aside.

In the same pot, sauté your green pepper and shallot then add cayenne pepper, garlic, chili flakes, cilantro, and seasoning.

Once fragrant, add coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and return the shrimp to the pot to warm through before adding some freshly squeezed lime juice.  

9. Shrimp Alfredo

Pasta goes well with most meats but it also works with shrimp like in this Alfredo recipe. Sauté your defrosted shrimp with garlic in butter until pink then set them aside.

Into the same pot, pour in chicken stock with black pepper and scrape any bits from the bottom and sides.

Snap up your pasta and layer it in a zig zag pattern then ensure they are submerged then cook to al dente.

Fluffy up the pasta and add in whipping cream to coat then cream cheese and return your shrimp. Throw in some Parmesan cheese to allow it to melt then serve with even more cheese sprinkles.

10. Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry

You may see this on a takeout menu but it is so easy to cook at home. Sprinkle the defrosted shrimp with cornstarch and heat up oil in a large skillet.

Brown the shrimp then remove to a plate then fry the green onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant, and then plate up with the shrimp. 

Finally, fry the vegetables and return the shrimp and onion mix to the skillet with the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Serve when the broccoli is crisp-tender on a bed of rice.

11. Coconut Shrimp Curry

Shrimp can take on a lot of flavors so it works really well in a coconut curry. Fry finely diced onion until translucent then add cardamom, yellow curry powder, and Kosher salt.

Add in water and coconut milk then add your defrosted shrimp and simmer until cooked through. Simply garnish with some chopped cilantro and serve with steamed rice. 

12. Citrus Shrimp Salad

Shrimp can be the main feature of a salad too. Defrost them first and leave them to chill then pan-sear and toss with greens like spinach and arugula before adding olive oil, lemon juice, and orange juice.

Serve in a bowl with sliced avocado, minced shallot and some toasted almond slivers. Grapefruit and blood oranges work really well for a different citrus hit too.

13. Shrimp PoBoy Sandwich

Yes, shrimp goes well in a sandwich too, especially Popcorn Shrimp which you can oven cook with some Creole seasoning.

Once done, create a rémoulade sauce from horseradish, mayonnaise, garlic, sweet relish, soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, and cayenne pepper.

Spread some garlic butter on your warmed French rolls, then add lettuce, cooked shrimp, and some sauce.  

14. Shrimp And Corn Salad

Cooking defrosted shrimp should not be difficult, especially when it works so well in a salad.

Cover the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and blanch fresh shucked corn until tender then let them cool.

Create your salad dressing by whisking together freshly squeezed lime juice with brown sugar, olive oil, and chili powder with some seasoning.  

Cut the corn kernels into a bowl and add chopped cherry tomatoes with the dressing.

Sauté the shrimp until golden brown and cooked through then add to the salad with the rest of the vinaigrette and some chopped up parsley and basil. 

15. Garlic Shrimp Linguine Pasta

For a meal to feed the family, this Garlic Shrimp Linguine Pasta is so simple and rewarding. Cook the linguine until al dente then keep some pasta water and toss the pasta with olive oil.

Fry up some shallot then add garlic and your defrosted, patted shrimp. Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. 

Make sure that the shrimp is pink and set aside. Lightly sauté some mixed vegetables, add the white wine and return the shrimp to the pan to let the wine reduce and warm it all through.

Add in some lemon juice and zest at the last minute and stir it in. Garnish with some chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. 

16. Garlic Shrimp

Garlic Shrimp is so delicious and only takes a few minutes once the shrimp has defrosted. Heat up some butter and olive oil then sauté garlic until fragrant and add the shrimp.

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice with salt, cayenne pepper, and parsley then cook until the shrimp is pink. That’s it, remove from the heat and serve right away.

17. Creamy Garlic Shrimp

For Creamy Garlic Shrimp, you only need a few ingredients to create a tasty dish. Season the shrimp and fry in a large skillet over a medium-high heat until pink.

Set them aside and melt some butter in the same skillet and sauté garlic for 30 seconds then pour in white wine (you can use stock too) and leave to reduce. 

Lower the heat and add cream then bring to a gentle simmer and season before adding Parmesan cheese and cook until it melts.

Return the shrimp to the pan, garnish with parsley and enjoy with pasta, steamed vegetables, or rice. 

Final Thoughts

You may not have realized how versatile shrimp can be as it turns up in South American cuisine, Italian cuisine, even Asian cuisine.

When cooking with frozen shrimp, ensure it is defrosted first by leaving it in some salted water. Once defrosted, cook it until pink and it should take on all the flavors of your dish. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Way Of Cooking Frozen Shrimp?

Half fill a pot with water then bring it to a boil and add in the frozen shrimp so they are completely submerged.

Cover the pot with a lid then cook for between two minutes for really small shrimp and five minutes for bigger ones. Drain the shrimp then add some seasoning and it is ready to cook with.

Can I Cook Frozen Shrimp Straight In The Pan To Fry?

Yes, you can, though it is best to check that they are ready to be cooked and eaten first. If they have the EX Peel label on the pack then you should not have to de-vein each one.

Make sure that your pan is hot and the shrimp should defrost and cook relatively quickly.