Frozen Shrimp: A Guide to Choosing Quality Options and Top Picks

Convenient, quick to cook, and delicious, frozen shrimp are a true asset in any kitchen. But faced with the overwhelming array of choices in the supermarket, it can be hard to know what to pick. Size, species, preparation (raw, cooked, peeled)... how do you make the right choice to elevate your recipe?

As product experts at Joybuy, our role is to help you see things more clearly. This guide is designed to give you everything you need to choose the perfect frozen shrimp for any occasion, whether it's for impromptu appetisers, a slow-cooked dish, or a summer barbecue.

How to Choose the Right Frozen Shrimp?

Before we get to our top picks, let's review the essential criteria for a successful purchase.

1. Raw or Cooked: It Depends on Your Recipe

The choice between raw frozen shrimp and cooked peeled shrimp primarily depends on the recipe you have in mind.

• Raw Shrimp: They give you complete creative freedom. You control the cooking time, texture, and seasoning. They are perfect for searing in a pan, adding to a curry, paella, or for making large shrimp for the grill. Their more porous flesh beautifully absorbs the flavours of your dish.
• Cooked Shrimp: This is the ultimate express solution. Already cooked, you just need to thaw them to garnish a salad, an avocado shrimp cocktail, or serve them as an appetiser with homemade mayonnaise. A precious time-saver for cold preparations or dishes where they are only added for a moment at the end of cooking.

2. The Count: A Question of Size

The count, indicated by numbers like "6/8" or "20/40," refers to the number of shrimp per pound (lb) or per kilogram (kg). Rule of thumb: the smaller the number, the larger the shrimp.

• Large Counts (e.g., 6/8, 8/12): We're talking about jumbo shrimp or prawns. Perfect for a "wow" factor, seared on a plancha, grilled on the barbecue, or served as a main course. If you want to buy jumbo shrimp, these are the counts to look for.
• Medium Counts (e.g., 20/40, 30/50): Very versatile, they are ideal in pasta dishes, risottos, vegetable woks, or hearty salads.
• Small Counts (e.g., 100/200): These are the famous cocktail shrimp, perfect for sauces, seafood spreads, stuffings, or appetiser verrines.

3. Whole, Peeled, or P&D?

The form of the shrimp affects not only the preparation time but also the final taste.

• Whole (HOSO - Head-On, Shell-On): With head and shell. Purists love them: the head and shell contain maximum flavour, perfect for making a homemade stock or a fragrant bisque.
• Peeled: The shell is removed, but the small dorsal tract (the vein) may still be present. A small detail to check.
• Peeled & Deveined (P&D): This is the "hassle-free" format. The shell and the black vein have already been removed. A precious time-saver in the kitchen!

Recommended Frozen Shrimp Options

Here are three products that meet very specific needs, all available for seafood delivery directly to your home.

For the Purists: Asian Choice Whole Black Tiger Shrimp

What Makes This Product Stand Out

These Black Tiger prawns are sold whole (HOSO), with head and shell. This is the choice for connoisseurs seeking maximum flavour. Their heads are a gold mine for creating a rich and fragrant stock, the ideal base for a sauce or fish soup.

Highlights

• Unbeatable Taste: The shell protects the flesh during cooking and releases powerful marine juices.
• Jumbo Size: The 6/8 count guarantees spectacular pieces, perfect for impressing your guests.
• Family Size: The 1 kg bag is ideal for large gatherings or for stocking up.

Who is it for? For cooking enthusiasts who love working with the raw product to extract its full essence, especially for bisques, paellas, or refined sauced dishes.

For Quick Meals: Escal Cooked Jumbo Shrimp Tails

What Makes This Product Stand Out

These Escal shrimp tails are the epitome of convenience. Already cooked and peeled, they are ready to eat after a simple thaw. The ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) label guarantees they come from responsible aquaculture.

Highlights

• Ready to Use: No cooking, no peeling. Ideal for on-the-go meals.
• Ultra-Versatile: Perfect for an impromptu appetiser, a mixed salad, a club sandwich, or verrines.
• Responsible Farming: The ASC label ensures practices that respect the environment and working conditions.

Who is it for? For busy professionals, families, and anyone who wants a healthy and quick solution to eat seafood without spending hours in the kitchen.

The Ideal Compromise: Asian Choice Peeled & Deveined Black Tiger Shrimp

What Makes This Product Stand Out

This product brings together the best of both worlds: the flavour of a raw shrimp to be cooked in minutes and the simplicity of a ready-to-use product. These raw frozen shrimp are already peeled and deveined (P&D). The most tedious step of the preparation is done for you!

Highlights

• Ready to Cook: The pleasure of a freshly cooked shrimp, without the chore of peeling.
• Ideal for Grilling: Their jumbo 8/12 count is perfect for the barbecue, plancha, or generous skewers.
• Perfect Texture: Being raw, they maintain a firm and juicy texture after quick and controlled cooking.

Who is it for? For anyone who wants to enjoy Asian woks, seafood pasta, or grilled dishes, without the chore of peeling.

Looking for Other Options?

Our selection is just a taste of the possibilities offered by frozen shrimp. Looking for a different size, a specific preparation, or another species? Feel free to explore our full department.

? Explore our full range of frozen shrimp

Your Questions, Our Answers

Should you thaw shrimp before cooking them?

Yes, it is highly recommended for even cooking. The ideal method is slow thawing: simply place them in the refrigerator for a few hours. In a hurry? Run them under a stream of cold water in a colander. Above all, avoid hot water or the microwave, which can pre-cook the flesh unevenly and ruin their texture.

How can you tell if frozen shrimp are good quality?

Good quality frozen shrimp should be easily separable from each other, not clumped together in a large block of ice. Once thawed, their flesh (if raw) should be firm and translucent. A fresh, marine scent, never strong, is also an excellent indicator. Finally, labels like ASC are a guarantee of quality and controlled farming practices.

What is the difference between a shrimp and a prawn?

In common and commercial language, the difference is mainly about size. The term "prawn" is generally reserved for very large shrimp, like the famous Black Tiger prawns. Biologically, they are all part of the large family of decapod crustaceans. The usage simply distinguishes between sizes for clarity in the kitchen.