How to Cook Already Cooked Shrimp

Co-authored by Randall Chambers

Last Updated: July 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Shrimp often come pre-cooked in the grocery store. You may also have leftover shrimp you need to reheat. When cooking already cooked shrimp, thaw the shrimp if necessary and then use the oven, microwave, or stove to heat the shrimp. Pre-cooked shrimp can be used in a number of dishes, including pastas and salads.

Preparing Cooked Shrimp

To reheat cooked shrimp in a skillet, coat the bottom of your skillet with cooking oil. Then, add your shrimp in an even layer. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Part 1

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Thawing the Shrimp

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If your pre-cooked shrimp is frozen, it's best to take the bag and place it in the fridge. It should thaw overnight and be ready to use in the morning. This is generally the most effective method, so thaw shrimp overnight whenever possible.^{[1]
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If you don't have time to thaw shrimp overnight, you can place your shrimp in a bowl of cold water. Place the bowl in the sink and turn on the faucet so it's letting out a small trickle of cool water. Leave the bowl in the sink for about 15 minutes to thaw your shrimp.

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Most cooked shrimp already have their veins removed. However, if the shrimps have a dark vein running along the backs, use a pair of scissors to cut through the back of a shrimp's shell. Then, grab ahold of the vein with your scissors and gently pull it out of the shrimp.^{[2]
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Reheating the Shrimp

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1
Microwave the shrimp on high heat for one to two minutes. Arrange your shrimp on a microwave-safe plate, keeping them separated in a single layer without any overlap. Add a splash of water to the dish and then cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave your shrimp on high heat for one to two minutes.^{[3]
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- If your shrimp aren't hot enough, you can microwave them for an additional 30 seconds or so.
- Microwaved shrimp will be very hot, so it's important to let them cool before serving them.
2
Steam seasoned shrimp on the stove. If your shrimp has already been seasoned, steaming helps preserve the flavor. Fill a pot with water and place a steamer or colander inside the pot. Place your shrimp in the steamer or colander. Then, place the pot over the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let the shrimp cook until they start to smell fragrant.^{[4]
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- Avoid stacking shrimp too high in the steamer and make sure they don't touch the water.
If your shrimp are coated with breading or coconut, they're best reheated in the oven. Wrap the shrimp loosely in foil and place them on a baking tray. Cook the shrimp for 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (about 149 degrees Celsius).^{[5]
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^{[6]
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Randall Chambers
Personal Chef

Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.} Add enough oil to coat the bottom of a skillet or frying pan and place it over the stove. Add your shrimp in an even layer. Cook the shrimp for two to three minutes on each side.^{[7]
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Using Your Shrimp in Meals

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1
Make shrimp pasta. Shrimp can be a great addition to a basic pasta dish. You can cook your choice of pasta and mix in things like Parmesan cheese, garlic, and dried basil in for flavor. Mix some freshly heated shrimp into your pasta for a nutritious dish.
- For added nutrition, add some sauteed vegetables to your dish.
Yotam Ottolenghi, Chef and Restaurateur

Have fun in the kitchen. "In the kitchen, creativity knows no bounds. Let your culinary imagination run wild."
Simple garlic and butter can add a mild but tasty flavor to shrimp. Add about a spoonful or so of butter and a couple of cloves of minced garlic to your shrimp. Mix the shrimp together until they're coated in the garlic and butter and then enjoy.^{[8]
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^{[9]
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Randall Chambers
Personal Chef

Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.} If you're having a party, heat up some pre-cooked shrimp. Place it in a dish next to cocktail sauce. Your guests can enjoy snacking on shrimp throughout the night.
A salad can be great for lunch or dinner. If you want to add a little extra protein, toss in a handful of shrimp. This will make your salad more filling, cutting back on excessive snacking throughout the day.^{[10]
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Shrimp Recipes

Sample Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Sample Garlic and Butter Shrimp Recipe

Sample Shrimp Salad Recipe

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How do you know if shrimp is under-cooked?

Randall Chambers
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Randall (Randy) Chambers is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Luxury Meals From Home based in Arvada, Colorado. He has more than 16 years of commercial kitchen experience, five years of sous chef experience, and two years of experience as an executive chef. Chef Randy draws inspiration from his half Bolivian background and his forte is South American cuisine. He holds an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute.

Randall Chambers

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Expert Answer

Cut it open! If the shrimp is still translucent in the middle, it's not done yet.

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How long does it take to cook raw shrimp?

Randall Chambers
Personal Chef
Randall (Randy) Chambers is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Luxury Meals From Home based in Arvada, Colorado. He has more than 16 years of commercial kitchen experience, five years of sous chef experience, and two years of experience as an executive chef. Chef Randy draws inspiration from his half Bolivian background and his forte is South American cuisine. He holds an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute.

Randall Chambers

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Expert Answer

Not long at all! On the grill, you only need to cook shrimp for about 10 seconds per side.

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Can pre-cooked jumbo shrimp be baked with Ritz crackers in the oven and how long?

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I wouldn't bake pre-cooked shrimp as they will turn rubbery and unpleasant.

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Tips

If the shrimp aren't pre-seasoned, marinate them to give more flavor to your dish!^{[11]
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Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.}

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