Can You Meal Prep Shrimp? Here’s How – Quick & Easy Guide

Written By: Paul

Can You Meal Prep Shrimp

From jumbo to tiny and every size in between, shrimp offers an excellent protein source that cooks fast and has the ability to pair beautifully with many other flavor profiles that cross cultures globally. Shrimp is a low-calorie, protein-rich food that offers a great Omega fatty acid source as well as 20 different vitamins and minerals.

Can you meal prep shrimp? Yes, but in order to make the most of your shrimp meal prep ideas, you need to understand how to store these delicious crustaceans from the sea properly.

How to Meal Prep Shrimp: 6 Best Recipes

For those who meal prep to save money and time, shrimp is a great protein that can be used. Just remember that shrimp must be rinsed, de-shelled, de-veined/cleaned, and patted dry before cooking these shrimp meal prep ideas –

1. Zucchini Noodles with Garlic Butter Shrimp

Zucchini Noodles with Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, garlic, butter, lemon, zucchini noodles, parsley.
  • Sauté the shrimp in garlic butter for a few minutes until cooked. Serve with zucchini noodles – sprinkle lemon and parsley.

2. Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, tortillas, cabbage slaw, salsa, Greek yogurt, or sour cream.
  • Grill/sauté shrimp. Then, assemble the tacos with the rest of the ingredients and add a side of yogurt/sour cream as a cooling agent.

3. Shrimp with Quinoa

Shrimp with Quinoa
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, cherry tomatoes, black beans, quinoa, corn, cilantro, lime.
  • Follow the package directions when cooking the quinoa. Assemble cooked shrimp, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro with quinoa – drizzle with lime prior to eating.

4. Shrimp Spring Rolls

Shrimp Spring Rolls
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, rice paper wrappers, lettuce, cucumber, mint, vermicelli noodles, peanut sauce.
  • Assemble spring rolls with cooked shrimp and other ingredients. Include a small container of peanut dipping sauce.

5. Shrimp/Avocado Salad

Shrimp Avocado Salad
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, cherry tomatoes, avocado, feta cheese, cucumber mixed greens, lemon vinaigrette.
  • Grill or sauté the shrimp until they turn pink. Toss with salad ingredients and divide into containers. Add vinaigrette before eating any of your shrimp meal prep ideas that have a dressing.

6. Shrimp/Veggie Stir-Fry

Shrimp Veggie Stir-Fry
  • Ingredients – Shrimp, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and sesame oil.
  • Stir-fry the shrimp and veggies in a wok after adding the garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. Divide into meal prep containers and serve over brown rice or quinoa.

Storing Prepped Shrimp: Tips for Freshness

Like all fresh seafood, shrimp has a short shelf life, even for your favorite healthy shrimp recipes. But note -cooked shrimp in your meal prep ideas should last in the fridge for about three to four days.

As a result, it is important to store prepped shrimp in the refrigerator as soon as you can. Consider these important suggestions for storing prepped shrimp –

  • Be certain that your shrimp meal preps are safe by setting the refrigerator to the proper temperature. The recommended temperatures in this case would be as follows – 32°F to 38°F (0°C to 3°C) as these temperature ranges help slow bacterial growth and retain the shrimp’s quality.
  • Cooked shrimp should be kept in an airtight container/sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator as this helps to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the shrimp.
  • If you need to reheat the shrimp meal prep, do so using the method you used to cook it when possible.
  • Use a lower temperature when reheating, as this helps avoid overcooking. You can add the same water, fat, or liquid that the shrimp was used to cook the shrimp originally. Check the shrimp often to know when they are hot, as shrimp tends to overcook fast – and the consequence is a rubbery, unappetizing texture.  
  • Cooked shrimp can be frozen for an extended period, but other meal prep ingredients may not. If you choose to freeze the cooked shrimp, just make sure the cooked shrimp are correctly sealed to prevent freezer burn from damaging the texture and taste.
  • Store the shrimp meal prep separately from other foods to minimize cross-contamination.

Suggestions for Storing Prepped Shrimp Properly

If transporting shrimp meal preps, it is important to use ice packs or cooler bags to keep the meals chilled. Avoid leaving your shrimp meal prep at room temperature for an extended time. In addition –

  • Cooked shrimp should be refrigerated within 2 hours of being cooked.
  • When prepping multiple batches of shrimp, ensure you label them to track freshness. Eat these shrimp meal preps after 2 -3 days in the refrigerator to ensure you get the best quality.
  • If your prepped shrimp are in marinades or sauces, ensure they are fully coated. The sauce can act as a protective layer, preserving the shrimp’s moisture.
  • If you’ve prepped shrimp with shells on, consider removing them before refrigerating. This can help maintain the quality of the shrimp and prevent off-putting flavor.
  • Before eating prepped shrimp, make sure they still have a clean, sea-like odor.

Storing Raw Shrimp

Store raw shrimp in its original packaging at the bottom of the refrigerator as a precaution should any of the liquid leaks from the container.

Fresh Raw Shrimp – It is essential to refrigerate and properly store fresh raw shrimp immediately. They should be eating within 1-3 days to ensure you get the best quality.

Frozen Raw Shrimp – If you buy frozen raw shrimp, the package will typically offer storage recommendations. Frozen shrimp has the ability to be stored in the freezer for several months.

Final Words

Shrimp offers a great source of protein and provides a versatile platform that can absorb all the flavors of the delicious recipe you choose. They are simple to cook, healthy, and low in calories, with many shrimp meal prep ideas that can be pulled from all parts of the world.

If you haven’t meal-prepped with shrimp, it might be the right time to elevate your next meal-prep routine with these delicate and delicious proteins from the ocean. If you are looking for a starting point, check out the recipes noted above.

FAQ’s

Can you reheat cooked shrimp for meal prep?

Yes, cooked shrimp made for a meal prep recipe can be reheated, but it’s important to do so safely to maintain both the quality and safety of the shrimp you are about to eat. The manner in which you cook the shrimp depends on whether they have been refrigerated or frozen.

What are some quick and healthy side dishes for shrimp meal prep?

If you have not prepped a shrimp salad meal, add a fresh arugula salad topped with shallots and parmesan cheese shavings. In addition, consider these side dishes –

  • Create a tropical twist by modifying or adding rice that has been combined with diced pineapple, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt.
  • Mango Salsa is a delectable combination of avocado, red onion, lime juice, and chopped cilantro that is the perfect and refreshing side salsa for your healthy shrimp recipes.

How do you keep shrimp from getting rubbery when meal prepping?

It is possible to prevent shrimp from getting rubbery during meal prepping if you are careful in the way the shrimp is cooked and stored. The most essential concept to remember is that it only takes a few minutes to cook shrimp perfectly – when they begin to turn pink/opaque. The cooking process for shrimp meal prep typically takes only a few minutes, but the exact time will depend on the shrimp size you have chosen to use.

Are there any quick marinades for shrimp meal prep?

Shrimp takes on the flavor of most marinades, so simply whisk the recipe ingredients together and try to marinate the shrimp for a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes prior to beginning the cooking of your healthy shrimp recipes.

1. Honey Soy Marinade

  • 2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon of Rice Vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon of Grated Ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon of Honey
  • 1 Clove of Garlic – Minced

2. Lemon Garlic Marinade

  • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • The Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
  • 2 Cloves of Garlic – Minced
  • 1 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste

3. Cajun Spice Marinade

  • 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon of Paprika
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Dried Thyme
  • 1/4 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (Should be adjusted to taste)
  • Salt/Pepper To Taste

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