How to cook frozen prawns: a simple and practical guide

Ingredients needed 

• Frozen White Prawns
• Water
• Coarse salt (50 g per liter of water)
• Ice

Steps to cook frozen shrimp

1. 1. Defrost shrimp correctly: It is important to defrost them well so that they maintain their texture and flavor. 
      • If we are in a hurry: We submerge the prawns in cold water for 10-15 minutes, changing the water once.
      • If we have time: We leave them in the refrigerator, inside a covered container, for 18 to 24 hours before cooking them.
   2. Prepare a pot with salt water: Fill a large pot with plenty of water and add 50g of coarse salt per liter. This step is key to bringing out the natural flavor of the shrimp.
   3. Bring the water to a boil: We put the pot on high heat and wait for the water to boil vigorously.
   4. Add the prawns to the boiling water: When you add the prawns, you have to wait for the water to come back to a boil.
   5. Short and precise cooking: We let the prawns cook for 2 to 3 minutes, adjusting the time according to their size:
   6. Small or medium prawns: we cook for approximately 2 minutes.
   7. Large prawns: We let it cook for about 3 minutes.
   8. Cool quickly: We remove the prawns with a slotted spoon and immediately submerge them in a container of ice water to break the cooking process. This step ensures the meat remains firm and juicy.
   9. Drain and serve: After 2-3 minutes in the ice water, drain the prawns and place them on absorbent paper. They're ready to enjoy.

Extra tips for a perfect result

• If we want to add a special touch, we can add a bay leaf or peppercorns to the cooking water.
• Cooked shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, tightly covered to prevent them from drying out.

With these steps, cooking frozen shrimp will be a piece of cake, and the results will leave you speechless. Get to work and enjoy this seafood delicacy!

After cooking: the secret to preserving your prawns

Once we've cooked the shrimp, it's essential to store them properly to maintain their flavor and texture. Here are our recommendations:

1. For immediate consumption: If you're going to enjoy them the same day, you can store them by covering them with a clean, slightly damp cloth. This helps prevent them from drying out while they're at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a few hours.
2. For longer: If you're not going to eat them immediately, it's best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent them from losing their succulence, you can place a layer of damp kitchen paper over the shrimp, but always keep them inside the container. This will protect them from external odors and ensure their freshness for up to two days.
3. Avoid the freezer: If we have already cooked them, it is not recommended to refreeze them, as this will affect their texture and flavor.

This way, your prawns will be ready at any time, just as if you had just prepared them.

Boil without thawing: what you need to know

Boil frozen prawns directly It is a valid option in case of emergency, but It is not the most recommended If we want to achieve the best texture and flavor. When cooking them from frozen:

• Risk of gummy texture: When cooked from frozen, shrimp tend to release water unevenly, which can affect their juiciness and give them a less pleasant texture.
• Longer cooking time: When frozen, they will take longer to cook properly. This can result in some parts being overcooked while others are undercooked.
• Loss of flavor: Cooking them without defrosting can reduce their flavor intensity, as they do not absorb salt and other seasonings from the cooking water optimally.

If you are in a hurry and decide to boil them directly, we recommend you:

• Slightly increase the cooking time (but not too much, to avoid overcooking).
• Add a little more salt and spices to the boiling water to compensate for the loss of flavor.

However, for a perfect result, it's always better defrost the prawns beforehand following the techniques explained above

Other questions that may arise

How do I know if the prawns are cooked?

We'll know they're ready when we see they've changed color, going from a grayish or translucent hue to a deep orange, and they begin to float on the surface of the water. This change is a sure sign that they've reached optimal cooking point.