How do you thaw frozen shrimp to preserve their chewy texture? After trying several different methods, which one do you recommend? Let’s find out!

How can you thaw frozen shrimp to preserve their chewy texture?

I’ve tried using ice water, running water, and salt water to thaw frozen shrimp. The method that works best for preserving the chewy texture is using salt and baking soda.

Tools

800ml water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon food-grade baking soda
※1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons. If the packaging is narrow, you can use a teaspoon instead.

Instructions

The steps are the same whether you’re thawing shrimp, either shell-on or shell-on.

• Step 1: Add about 800ml of water to a large bowl and place the frozen shrimp in the water.
• Step 2: Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of food-grade baking soda to the water. Stir gently until dissolved, and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.
• Step 3: Remove the shrimp and rinse them thoroughly. Drain any excess water (you can also gently pat dry with paper towels). Then, you can use them in your cooking.