Prawns are a type of shrimp. They are crustaceans with long, slender bodies and short legs that live in saltwater and can also be found in brackish water or freshwater.
Prawns are typically a delicacy consumed as shellfish, but they can also be eaten steamed or boiled. Many people enjoy prawns cooked in butter, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley with rice or spaghetti.
If you bought fresh prawns or cooked them already, you may wonder if you can freeze prawns for use later.
Yes, you can freeze prawns. You can either freeze them cooked or fresh. Both will need to be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly stored, prawns will stay fresh for about 6-8 months.
Do Prawns Freeze Well?
Prawns are a type of seafood that can be found in most supermarkets around the world. Prawns are often deep-fried or breaded, but they can also be eaten raw with a squeeze of lemon.
When buying prawns, make sure that they are alive, as dead prawns might carry parasites inside them which could make you ill if consumed.
How To Freeze Prawns
When it comes to freezing prawns, you can either freeze cooked or fresh prawns.
Whether freezing fresh or cooked prawns, make sure to always handle them with care to avoid cross-contamination.
Freezing Cooked Prawns
Cooked prawns can be frozen in advance for later use, which will allow you to save time and energy in meal preparation. If you are able to plan ahead, freezing cooked prawns is a great way for you to avoid food waste.
Below are the steps to freezing cooked prawns:
Step 1: After the prawns are cooked, allow them to cool down to room temperature.
However, make sure to not leave them out for longer than 2 hours as they could start getting contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Step 2: Once the prawns are cooled, place them into the freezer bag or airtight container.
Step 3: With the freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing.
For an airtight container, secure the lid to the container tightly.
Step 4: Label the bag or container with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
Freezing Fresh Prawns
There are many ways to freeze fresh prawns, but a simple and effective method is to lay them on their back, place them in a single layer on a tray, cover with cling film and freeze them overnight.
Freezing fresh prawns is easy if you follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Pick out the freshest shrimp of your choice.
Step 2: Remove any excess fat from the shrimp before freezing.
Step 3: Place in one layer on a tray covered with cling film.
Step 4: Wrap tightly in cling film and freeze overnight.
Step 5: Remove them from the freezer and transfer them to a freezer bag.
Step 6: Press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing.
Step 7: Place into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Prawns?
Frozen prawns can be stored for up to eight months if properly sealed in airtight containers such as plastic bags with freezer bags.
If you want to keep prawns fresh for a longer period of time, use vacuum-sealed bags to store them. Doing so will keep the prawns fresh for up to 1 year.
How Do You Defrost Prawns?
When cooking, it is important to know when you need to defrost and thaw the prawns.
Prawns can be difficult to defrost because they can get deformed and even have a bad taste. They are also fragile and will break easily if not handled carefully.
The following are the best ways of defrosting prawns.
- You can defrost them in the microwave. This is because it heats up the shell and then works its way into the meat, making it easier to cook after thawing.
- To defrost prawns in a pot, you will need water and salt placed over them as they thaw out. This will help give some flavor and tenderness as well as remove any ice crystals before cooking begins by adding the heat of some sort.
Can You Refreeze Prawns?
Refreezing prawns isn’t recommended due to their delicate texture. Freezing it more than once will cause the textures to become soggy.
To prevent having to refreeze prawns, you should try to remove only what you need from the freezer.
If you thawed too many prawns, it’s better to store them in the fridge. You have 2 days to use it before the prawns have to be discarded.
Other Questions about Prawns
Can you freeze fresh prawns in the shell?
Yes, you can. It’s quite easy to freeze fresh shrimp in the shell. You’ll just need a freezer bag or container that can hold about 1/2 cup of liquid and a few minutes of time. Once the shrimp have been frozen, you should store them in your freezer so that you have access to them whenever you need them.