How To Reheat Shrimp: A Guide To Making Leftovers Hot!
I hate eating shrimp that is frozen, or at least one that has been left at room temperature for a while. This leads to losing flavor and texture, making it less delicious. Do you hate this situation as well? If yes, keep on reading the rest of this post and know how to reheat shrimp.
While shrimp can be reheated, it is important to do this the right way. Follow the steps and tips mentioned below to be assured of the right outcomes. If not, your shrimp will end up soggy, flavorless, and chewy. In short, it can go to waste instead of being a delish treat!
Before Reheating Shrimp
The first thing that you must do is to physically check the shrimp, especially if it has been in the fridge or freezer for an extended period. Pay attention to possible signs that it has gone bad, such as color, texture, and smell.
Reheating shrimp past its shelf life can be a risk. This will not only affect flavor, but at its worst, can even be a reason for you to suffer from food poisoning. With this, it is critical to make sure that shrimp can still be eaten before it is reheated following any of the methods that will be mentioned in the rest of this post.
The Microwave Method
A microwave is one kitchen appliance that is found in many homes. It can be useful in reheating a variety of leftovers, even shrimp. It is also convenient and hassle-free. To reheat your shrimp in the microwave, here are the simple steps you should follow:
- Let the cold shrimp thaw if in case it is taken straight out of the freezer. After this, put the shrimp in a microwave-safe container.
- Cover the container with the provided lid or at least with a plastic wrap.
- Turn the microwave on for at least a minute or two. Check the shrimp. If it is not yet hot through the center, reheat it for another minute.
- Once it is hot enough, take it out of the microwave. Let it sit for a while before it is eaten.
The Oven Method
This is another effective way to reheat leftover shrimp. This will work best if the shrimp is breaded. It will be hot from outside to the inside, but in the absence of making it soggy. This means that you can still expect a good texture for a crunch in every bite.
If you want to reheat shrimp in the oven, here are the simple steps that you should follow:
- Start by having the oven preheated to at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- As you wait for the oven to get hot, prepare the cooked shrimp that will be reheated. Arrange it in a clean pan lined with aluminum foil. Make sure that they are evenly spaced and not stack on top of each other. This will ensure consistent heating.
- Once it is arranged, place it in the oven. Heating time should be about fifteen minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp.
- Check the shrimp. If it is still not hot enough, reheat it for another minute of two.
The Steamer Method
This is a versatile method because it can be used for almost any recipe, but not when the shrimp is breaded. In the case of the latter, the breading will be soggy. This is best for steamed or fried shrimp. It is an excellent alternative because it does not lead to loss of flavor.
- In a deep pot, fill water and bring it to a boil.
- On the top of the pot, place your steamer. Make sure that this will not touch the water. Once water boils and smoke comes out, this is the time that you can already put the shrimp in the steaming basket.
- Take it out of the steaming basket once it is hot enough or once you notice that distinct shrimp smell.
The Skillet Method
This is one of my favorite ways of reheating shrimp. It may require quite an effort but it will be worth it. Here are the simple steps that you should follow to reheat shrimp in a stove in a skillet:
- Place the skillet on top of medium heat and add oil. Liquid oil is recommended instead of a spray oil. Sprinkle lightly on the pan just enough to cover the entire portion.
- Once the oil turns hot, put the shrimps. Stir occasionally to make sure that they will be evenly heated. Cook it for at least two minutes or until you are sure that the shrimps have turned hot enough.
The good thing about skillet is that you can heat shrimp not only on its own but as a different recipe combined with different ingredients. You can sauté it with vegetables, used it for pasta, or mix it with fried rice, among others. You can give your shrimp a new twist.
You might also want to take out the shell. With only the meat, you can use it in various recipes. Since it is already cooked, you can toss it in almost anything, but will be best in pastas and stir-fries. You can also just fry it in butter with herbs and spices.
Pro Tips
side from the steps that have been mentioned above, here are some of the tips that you have to keep in mind when it comes to reheating shrimp:
- Not all methods will work for different types of shrimp. For instance, if it is breaded steaming is not recommended as this will remove the crumbs from the surface.
- To add flavor, you can consider brushing the shrimp with butter or any choice of flavoring. Alternatively, when heating in a skillet, you can use a slice of butter as a replacement for oil. This will result in better flavor.
- Another excellent and simple way to make it flavorful is to squeeze fresh lemon on the top. You can also make flavorful dips and sauces to give your shrimp a refreshing taste.
- See to it that the shrimp has completely thawed before following any of the methods mentioned above. If not, you will end up with cold spots. While it may be hot from the outside, on the inside, it can still appear frozen.
- Do not reheat shrimp twice. This can lead to contamination and will make it less flavorful. Reheat only a portion that you can consume.
- Do not reheat your shrimp for a time longer than what is necessary. This will cause the shrimp to dry out. When it loses moisture, it will no longer be juicy and it will be less flavorful.
Conclusion
From the things that have been discussed above, I hope that you already know how to reheat shrimp. You can choose from microwave, oven, or skillet method, depending on what is available at home. Just follow the steps mentioned above to make your shrimp hot and delicious!
Have you tried any method of reheating shrimp before? How was it? Do not hesitate to leave a comment below.