Cooking frozen shrimp in a crock pot is an easy, hands-off way to prepare delicious shrimp for any meal. With just a few simple ingredients and the right cooking time, you can have tender, flavorful shrimp ready when you need it. In this article, I’ll provide tips for getting the best results when cooking frozen shrimp in a crock pot, including how long to cook it.
Why Cook Frozen Shrimp in a Crock Pot?
There are several benefits to using a crock pot for cooking frozen shrimp:
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It’s convenient – you can just toss the shrimp in the crock pot in the morning and let it slowly cook all day
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The gentle moist heat of the crock pot prevents the shrimp from drying out or overcooking.
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The shrimp can soak up flavors from sauce or seasoning as it cooks.
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Clean up is easy since everything is contained in the crock pot liner.
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You can adjust cook times to have the shrimp ready right when you need it for meals or recipes.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Frozen Shrimp in a Crock Pot?
The cooking time for frozen shrimp in a crock pot can vary based on a few factors:
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Size of the shrimp – smaller shrimp cook faster. Large shrimp may take 1-2 hours longer.
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Temperature setting – the lower the temp, the longer the cook time. High takes less time than low.
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Quantity – larger amounts take longer to come up to temp.
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If shrimp is shelled vs unshelled – shell on takes longer.
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If shrimp is thawed or frozen – frozen takes longer.
Here are some general guidelines for cook times:
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Medium shrimp, thawed – HIGH: 1-2 hours, LOW: 3-4 hours
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Medium shrimp, frozen – HIGH: 3-4 hours, LOW: 5-6 hours
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Large shrimp, thawed – HIGH: 2-3 hours, LOW: 4-5 hours
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Large shrimp, frozen – HIGH: 4-5 hours, LOW: 6-8 hours
Check shrimp periodically and adjust cook time if needed based on your preference. Shrimp is done when it is pink and opaque throughout.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Shrimp in a Crock Pot
Follow these tips to ensure your frozen shrimp turns out plump and flavorful using a crock pot:
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If shrimp isn’t thawed, add 30 minutes to 1 hour to the cook time.
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Don’t overload crock pot – shrimp should be in single layer.
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Add butter, olive oil or broth for moisture and flavor.
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Season simply with garlic, lemon, herbs, salt and pepper.
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Stir shrimp once halfway through cook time.
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Quick release pressure if using crock pot express.
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Discard any unopened or broken shrimp.
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Use peeled, deveined shrimp for easier prep and eating.
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Cook on high for shorter cook times to prevent overcooking.
Delicious Crock Pot Shrimp Recipes
Once you know the basics of how long to cook frozen shrimp in the crock pot, you can enjoy tasty shrimp dishes like:
Easy Cheesy Crock Pot Shrimp: Shrimp cooked in a creamy cheese sauce with spinach and artichokes.
Cajun Shrimp Boil: Shrimp simmered with sausage, corn, potatoes and cajun seasoning.
Coconut Curry Shrimp: Shrimp braised in an aromatic coconut curry broth with veggies.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp: Butter, garlic, lemon juice and herbs flavor simple shrimp.
Crock Pot Shrimp Fajitas: Cook shrimp with onions, bell peppers and Mexican spices.
Honey Soy Shrimp: Sweet and savory shrimp made with honey, soy sauce and ginger.
The possibilities are endless for easy shrimp meals and appetizers straight from your crock pot. Just keep cook times in mind and add your favorite flavors. In no time, you’ll master how to make tender, juicy shrimp from frozen using the set it and forget it simplicity of the crock pot.
Crockpot shrimp scampi!
FAQ
How long to cook frozen shrimp?
Is it okay to cook frozen shrimp without thawing?
How do you cook frozen shrimp so it’s not rubbery?
How quickly do you need to cook thawed shrimp?
Can you cook frozen shrimp in a crockpot?
Shrimp in a Crockpot – Cooking the frozen shrimp in the slow cooker doesn’t take long. We used precooked shrimp in this recipe so it only takes a few hours to heat everything together. Cooking time will vary. Cook Pasta – When preparing the pasta, make sure to cook to al dente or according to package.
How do you cook frozen shrimp in a slow cooker?
In the slow cooker, add the frozen shrimp, butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir to mix the ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. FDA recommends shrimp be cooked to 145℉.
How do you cook frozen shrimp scampi in a crock pot?
Step One – Pour the frozen shrimp into the crock pot. Step Two – Add the remaining ingredients (except the parsley). Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. One of the quickest and easiest ways to serve shrimp scampi is directly from the slow cooker.
How long do you cook shrimp in a crock pot?
Cooking times can vary depending on the recipe and the size of the shrimp. Generally, shrimp should be cooked in a crock pot for about 2 to 3 hours on low heat. Ensure the shrimp are fully cooked by checking that they are opaque and firm. Can I add other ingredients with the shrimp in the crock pot? Absolutely!