# Frozen ready-to-eat shrimp **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 19, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869 "2025-12-19T22:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/1 "2025-12-19T22:05:53Z")
I just impulse-purchased a bag of frozen shrimp at the grocery store, and realized i have no idea how to use them. No one else here eats seafood. So my goal is to have a few for lunch from time to time. Defrost a few overnight in the fridge each time? Pull them from the bag right before eating and nuke them? Leave some in the fridge on spec (how long do they keep defrosted?) something else? Don’t need answer fast. For now, I’m tucking the whole bag in the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/2 "2025-12-19T22:08:47Z")
I do not have a ready answer (even though I love shrimp) but here is a YouTube search that offers some ideas (more than one). Might be worth a look (be sure to scroll down to see what advice is on offer): [https://www.youtube.com/results?search\_query=what+can+you+do+with+frozen+shrimp](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+can+you+do+with+frozen+shrimp) ETA: Shell on or shell off? De-veined or not? Those details can matter. I assume shelled and de-veined. Also, size. Those little mini ones or big jumbo ones? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/3 "2025-12-19T22:10:53Z")
I use them in different recipes, so I defrost some in the fridge overnight and then add them to whatever recipe calls for them. If I have leftovers, I put them in a plastic container and reheat them the next day. From my experience, they can last uncooked in the fridge for at least a few days without any issues. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/4 "2025-12-19T22:11:59Z")
Put whatever you want in a bowl, put it in the sink and let cold water run over it (overflowing into the sink). They’ll be thawed in few/10 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/5 "2025-12-19T22:13:23Z")
Don’t nuke them unless you like the consistency of pencil erasers. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/6 "2025-12-19T22:14:13Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Put whatever you want in a bowl, put it in the sink and let cold water run over it (overflowing into the sink). They’ll be thawed in few/10 minutes. This. Then proceed as you wish. If they have shells on and/or require deveining, do it before you carry on with your final product. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/7 "2025-12-19T22:15:33Z")
To clarify, they are ready to eat (no shell, no veins) and i don’t plan to _cook_ anything with them, or make any _dishes_. My plan is to throw a couple on my plate, along with other odds and ends, and call that lunch. They are large, if it matters. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/8 "2025-12-19T22:16:42Z")
Oh, already cooked, too, sounds like. Treatment to defrost is the same. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/9 "2025-12-19T22:17:52Z")
Yup, already cooked. Thanks. I guess the answer is that come lunchtime, i should grab what i want, put them in the sink under running water, prepare the rest of my meal, and then shake the water off the shrimp. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/10 "2025-12-19T22:18:30Z")
That would be about perfect. I’d probably give them a few dabs with a paper towel, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/11 "2025-12-19T22:19:53Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Put whatever you want in a bowl, put it in the sink and let cold water run over it (overflowing into the sink). They’ll be thawed in few/10 minutes. Seconding this… except, 10 mins? More like 2-3 mins in my experience. I usually have a bag in the freezer. I’ll defrost a cupful and toss them in a salad for protein. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/12 "2025-12-19T22:22:01Z")
Hopefully, all the radioactive frozen shrimp has been found and removed from stores by now. > **[2025 radioactive shrimp recall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_radioactive_shrimp_recall)** > > On 18 August 2025, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement that shipments of shrimp from Indonesia produced by PT BMS (Bahari Makmur Sejati) had been contaminated by caesium-137. This initial report indicated that none of the contaminated shrimp had entered the marketplace; an update, on 19 August, stated that three batches sold under the Walmart store brand Great Value had been distributed after a lack of prior detection; ‍ in all, shipments of contaminat The cont... ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/13 "2025-12-19T22:23:48Z")
Grab a small jar of red cocktail sauce for dipping. We have cold ready-to-eat shrimp with that as a side dish/a little protein pretty frequently. Check ingredients for gluten, if relevant. In or near the cold case with packaged sliders and grab-and-go sandwiches, many Safeways have ready-to-eat shrimp and sauce of good quality for a reasonable price. (No glowing or turning into a Supershrimp upon ingestion noted.) ETA: …yet. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/14 "2025-12-19T22:26:05Z")
Mayonaise also works ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/15 "2025-12-19T22:27:58Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Hopefully, all the radioactive frozen shrimp has been found and removed from stores by now. If not, I hope it turns me into the equivalent of Spiderman. > [@Jegpeg](#): > > Mayonaise also works I’ve been known to mix mayo and ketchup together. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/16 "2025-12-19T22:31:37Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I’ve been known to mix mayo and ketchup together. A Fast Times at Ridgemont High Fan I see 🙂 [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WOM6Zd5oUsg/hqdefault.jpg "Fast Times At Ridgemont High - Secret Sauce") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOM6Zd5oUsg) ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/17 "2025-12-19T22:35:41Z")
I use them occasionally. To defrost I just put them in a small bowl and submerge them in water (not running, as I live in California). Within a few minutes they are all defrosted and ready to use, but still ice cold. You can mix up a cocktail sauce with ketchup and horseradish - that way you can adjust the heat level to your liking. I will just have them as a snack with the cocktail sauce, or toss them in a bowl of noodle soup, or a salad. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HGwTllzKReE/maxresdefault.jpg "The Ultimate List Of Delicious Shrimp By Bubba | Forrest Gump 🤤") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGwTllzKReE) ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/18 "2025-12-19T22:43:11Z")
I tend to keep a couple of bags of frozen, deveined, tail-removed shrimp in the freezer. If I’m having ramen for lunch, I’ll drop a few in the carton before adding the boiling water. They cook really fast, and by the time the noodles are soft they’re done as well. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/19 "2025-12-19T22:48:38Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Seconding this… except, 10 mins? More like 2-3 mins in my experience. Water temperature, size of the shrimp, how cold they are to begin with, how fast the water is flowing, how many are being thawed at once etc etc etc are all going to make a difference. I agree 2-3 minutes will probably do it, but I didn’t want to guess and 10 minutes seemed safe, regardless of the variables. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869/20 "2025-12-19T22:51:09Z")
I usually just rinse mine in a colander, let them sit for a few minutes, give another quick rinse to finish defrosting, then dry before use. I buy mine shelled and deveined but cook them myself. Lemony shrimp salad with dill is a favorite meal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869.md?page=2)