How to Choose Frozen Shrimp Online: A Complete Buying Guide

Faced with an overwhelming frozen food aisle, choosing the right shrimp can quickly become a daunting task. Size, preparation, variety… it's easy to get lost. This guide is here to help you make sense of it all and buy shrimp online that truly suits your needs, whether it's for a last-minute appetiser, a saucy dish, or a fresh salad.

As the Head of Product Selection at Joybuy, my mission is to guide you in making the right choice by decoding the labels and specifics of each product.

How to Choose the Best Frozen Shrimp

To make the right choice, three criteria must be considered: size, preparation, and variety.

1. Understanding Size: It's All in the Count

The size, often indicated by a range (e.g.,?31/40), corresponds to the number of shrimp per pound (about 450?g). The rule is simple: the smaller the numbers, the larger the shrimp.

• Large sizes (e.g.,?16/20, 21/25): These meaty shrimp are perfect for grilling, skewers, or for being the star of your dish.
• Medium sizes (e.g.,?31/40, 41/50): These all-rounders are ideal for stir-fries, pasta dishes, or curries.
• Small sizes (e.g.,?70/90): These are generally reserved for cocktail shrimp, salads, verrines, or stuffings.

2. Raw or Cooked, Peeled or Whole?

The choice will depend on the time you have in the kitchen and your recipe.

• Raw shrimp: They allow you to control the cooking process perfectly and offer a more intense flavour. Choose them for pan-frying, grilling, or oven-baked dishes, as they absorb marinades much better.
• Cooked shrimp: Ready to use once thawed, they are the ultimate express solution for your salads, sandwiches, or appetisers.
• Peeled shrimp: A significant time-saver. Peeled shrimp are ready to cook or eat. Some are also deveined ("Easy Peel") to make your life even easier.

3. Different Varieties for Every Recipe

Each variety has its own characteristics, which will affect the taste and texture of your dishes.

• Black Tiger shrimp: Recognisable by their firm flesh and delicately sweet flavour, Black Tiger shrimp are stars of Asian cuisine. They hold up exceptionally well to cooking, making them a prime choice.
• Cocktail shrimp: Small and most often sold already cooked, they are the basis for the classic appetiser of the same name.
• Dried shrimp: A true concentrate of umami flavour! Dried shrimp are a key ingredient in many Asian cuisines for flavouring broths, stir-fries, and sauces.

Frozen Shrimp Recommendations

Here is our selection of products, chosen for their quality and versatility.

Asian Choice Peeled Cocktail Shrimp, 700?g net

Why we love them

Already cooked, peeled, and ready to enjoy after a simple thaw. Their ultra-convenient format makes them the perfect ally for quick and successful meals.

Key features

• Ready to use: No cooking or peeling required.
• Versatility: Perfect for cocktails, salads, appetisers, and seafood platters.
• Preserved quality: Flash-freezing locks in all the freshness and texture of the product.
• High in protein: 17?g per 100?g.

Who is it for?

For those who love to entertain or are looking for a quick and tasty solution to elevate their everyday meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Asian Choice 31/40 Black Tiger Shrimp, 1?kg (700?g net)

Why we love them

These raw, medium-sized (31/40) Black Tiger shrimp are ready to cook: headless and with the shell split down the back ("Easy Peel" style). They offer a firm and juicy texture that will delight enthusiasts.

Key features

• Firm texture: Holds up perfectly to cooking (pan, grill, steam).
• Easy to prepare: The "Easy Peel" format simplifies peeling after cooking.
• High in protein: 18?g per 100?g of thawed product.
• Preserved flavour: Being raw, they allow you to control the cooking and absorb all the flavours of your marinade.

Who is it for?

For cooks who enjoy making hot dishes like stir-fries, curries, or grilled items, and who are looking for a quality shrimp with a great bite and impeccable texture.

Asian Choice Wild-Caught Dried Shrimp, 300?g

Why we love them

These small dried shrimp are the secret ingredient for adding a deep, authentic umami flavour to your dishes, especially in Asian cuisine. Wild-caught, they are naturally dried to concentrate all their aromas.

Key features

• Intense flavour: Ideal for enhancing the taste of soups, broths, stir-fries, and even some salads.
• 100% natural: Only shrimp, with no additives or preservatives.
• Very high in protein: A powerful nutritional punch with 39.3?g per 100?g.
• Long shelf life: The dried and frozen format allows you to keep them in the freezer for a long time and use them whenever you need.

Who is it for?

For enthusiasts of world cuisine, particularly from Asia, who want to recreate authentic flavours and add that famous umami touch to their creations.

Want to Explore Other Ocean Flavours?

The world of seafood is an endless playground. If you're curious to explore other avenues to elevate your dishes, from dried fish to shellfish, the possibilities are vast.

Discover our full range of dried seafood and find the ingredient that will make all the difference in your next recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frozen Shrimp

What's the best way to thaw frozen shrimp?

To preserve their texture, the gentlest method is slow thawing: place the shrimp in a colander over a bowl and leave them in the refrigerator for several hours, or even overnight. For those in a hurry, place them in a colander under a stream of cold water for a few minutes until thawed. Avoid microwave thawing at all costs, as it can pre-cook the shrimp and ruin their texture.

Should you rinse frozen shrimp after thawing?

Yes, a quick rinse under cold water is recommended. This removes any remaining ice crystals and the thin protective layer of ice (the glaze). Be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking, especially if you plan to pan-fry or grill them.

What's the difference between frozen raw and cooked shrimp?

It's all about how you plan to use them. Frozen cooked shrimp are ready to use after thawing, making them ideal for cold preparations (salads, appetisers). Frozen raw shrimp, on the other hand, must be cooked. They are perfect for hot dishes (stir-fries, soups, grilled items) because you can control their texture, and they absorb the flavours of marinades or sauces much better.