Frozen shrimp are a true treasure in our freezers: convenient, delicious, and ready to elevate any dish. But when you're standing in front of the freezer aisle, it can be overwhelming. Raw or cooked? Whole or peeled? And what do those mysterious numbers on the packaging mean? Don't worry, we'll explain everything.
This guide is here to give you clear, practical advice. As product selection experts, our mission is to decode the labels to help you buy your shrimp online with confidence, ensuring you choose the perfect product for your menu.
How to Choose the Best Frozen Shrimp
Before we present our top picks, here are a few essential criteria to master so you'll never make the wrong choice again.
1. Raw vs. Cooked Shrimp: Which to Use?
The first dilemma: raw or cooked? It all depends on your recipe and how much time you have.
- Frozen Cooked Shrimp: The ultimate express solution. Already cooked, you just need to thaw them to add to a salad, shrimp cocktail, appetiser cups, or sandwiches. A precious time-saver.
- Frozen Raw Shrimp: The gourmet's choice for maximum flavour. Ideal for hot dishes, they can be pan-fried, grilled, or simmered in a curry, risotto, or pasta sauce. By cooking directly in your dish, they absorb all the flavours and retain an incredibly juicy texture. And for the best of both worlds, raw peeled shrimp are ready to cook, without the hassle of peeling.
2. The Size: What Do the Numbers Mean?
You've probably seen numbers like 16/20 or 100/200 on the packaging. This is the count: it indicates the number of shrimp per pound (about 450g).
- The smaller the number (e.g., 16/20), the larger the shrimp. These are often called jumbo frozen shrimp or prawns. They are perfect for grilling or for dishes where the shrimp is the star of the show.
- The larger the number (e.g., 100/200), the smaller the shrimp. These are perfect for adding to a salad, enriching a sauce, or using in a filling, where they blend in with other ingredients.
3. Whole or Peeled: A Matter of Taste and Preparation
- Whole Shrimp (HOSO - Head-On, Shell-On): For the purists! Often tiger prawns or other large varieties, they are sold with their head and shell intact. Cooking them in the shell protects the meat, keeps it tender, and concentrates the flavours. A real bonus: the head is full of juices, perfect for flavouring a sauce or stock.
- Peeled Shrimp (P&D - Peeled & Deveined): The "zero-hassle" solution. The term "deveined" guarantees that the dorsal vein has been removed—a mark of quality and convenience. It's the smart choice for everyday meals.
Our Selection of the Best Frozen Shrimp
To help you make your choice, here are our three top picks, each suited for a specific need.
1. Perfit Shrimps PUD 100/200 - The Everyday Express Solution
- Why we love them: These frozen cooked shrimp are the ultimate in convenience. Already cooked, peeled, and ready to use after a simple thaw, they save you all the prep work.
- Key features:
- Ready to use: Just thaw them in the fridge, and they're ready to go.
- Ultra-versatile: Perfect for salads, poke bowls, tacos, or an impromptu appetiser.
- Source of protein: Naturally rich in protein and low in calories.
- Who are they for? For busy cooks, families looking for quick and healthy meals, and anyone who loves cold starters and appetiser platters.
2. Asian Choice Vannamei Shrimp P&D 41/50 - The Reliable Choice for Cooking
- Why we love them: These raw Vannamei shrimp are the ideal compromise between ease and creativity. Already peeled and deveined (P&D), they are ready to cook. You have the freedom to add them to your favourite hot dishes!
- Key features:
- Ready to cook: No more tedious peeling!
- Versatile size (41/50): An all-purpose size, ideal for stir-fries, curries, or pasta dishes.
- Perfect texture: Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) to preserve their freshness and hold their shape during cooking.
- Who are they for? For those who love to cook delicious hot meals without spending too much time on prep.
3. Tiger Black Tiger Shrimps HOSO 16/20 - The Premium Choice for Special Occasions
- Why we love them: These jumbo frozen shrimp, a black tiger variety, are designed to impress. Whole (HOSO), with head and shell on, they release maximum flavour when cooked. Their generous size (16/20) makes them the star of any plate.
- Key features:
- Unbeatable taste: The shell and head concentrate the juices and protect the meat for maximum flavour.
- Guaranteed "wow" factor: Their XXL size is perfect for the barbecue, a plancha grill, or to elevate a festive dish.
- Convenient to use: Semi-Individually Quick Frozen (Semi-IQF) allows you to thaw only the amount you need.
- Who are they for? For true gourmets, grill masters, and anyone looking to make an impression for a special occasion.
Want to Explore More?
Our selection is an excellent starting point, but the ocean of flavours is vast. For other sizes, varieties, or shellfish, feel free to browse our complete section.
️ Discover our entire Frozen Seafood category
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What's the best way to thaw frozen shrimp? The best method is the gentlest one: place the shrimp in a colander over a bowl, cover, and let them thaw in the refrigerator for several hours (or overnight). If you're in a hurry, you can run them under cold water for a few minutes. Most importantly, never use hot water, as it will damage their texture by starting the cooking process.
Q2: What's the difference between a shrimp and a prawn? In many regions, "prawn" is a commercial term, not a scientific one, generally used to describe very large shrimp, like tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). To keep it simple: if it's a large shrimp, especially a whole one, it's often called a prawn!
Q3: Can you refreeze shrimp that have been thawed? Never! It's a golden rule in the kitchen: never refreeze a thawed product. Not only does it degrade the taste and texture, but more importantly, it poses a health risk. Be sure to thaw only the amount you need and consume them within 24 hours (keeping them refrigerated).
