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How To Reheat Shrimp: Five Easy Methods

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Craving last night’s succulent shrimp tacos for lunch?

Odds are, if you’ve ever reheated shrimp, then you know it’s easy to go from melt in your mouth tender to downright chewy.

Shrimp is one of those delicacies that can be enjoyed in numerous ways. 

Battered, steamed, sauteed, or fried, no matter how you prepare shrimp fresh, you can achieve that same delicious bite with your leftovers. 

Read on and I’ll tell you how to reheat shrimp five different ways to achieve the ideal flavors and texture.

Shrimp in a pan.
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How to reheat shrimp

Does the idea of reheating shrimp intimidate you? Don’t let it!

Reheating leftover shrimp is as easy as making it fresh.

You can reheat shrimp immediately the next day and it still tastes just as good as the day before. 

The key is finding which method works best for you and your style of dish. 

I’ll walk you through a few of my favorite techniques so you can learn the best ways to reheat shrimp.

Just remember, the longer you wait to reheat, the less fresh it gets. So the sooner, the better.

How to reheat shrimp in the oven

The oven is a great way to reheat shrimp if you want to maintain texture while minimizing effort. 

And this works well for a variety of shrimp-centric dishes!

Shrimp casserole, enchiladas, mac and cheese, or just simple herbs and butter, the oven can reheat a range of shrimp meals in small or large serving sizes. 

The one thing you need to watch out for is the shrimp drying out or turning hard from overcooking. 

However, it’s nothing a little bit of foil can’t handle!

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F.
  2. Place your shrimp in a baking dish or pan. Be sure to spread them out in a single layer for even heating. 
  3. Cover the shrimp with aluminum foil. 
  4. Place your shrimp in the oven and let them reheat for about 10 minutes or until thoroughly warm. 
  5. Serve and enjoy. 
Cooked shrimp on foil.

How to reheat shrimp on the stove

The stove is usually my go-to method for warming up shrimp leftovers. 

It takes less than 10 minutes and lets you keep an eye on each delicious piece while ensuring they don’t overcook. 

Plus, you can add in extra ingredients while reheating if you’re in the mood for different flavors.

  1. In a skillet, heat a splash of oil of your choice over medium heat. You want enough oil to coat the pan without causing your shrimp to fry. 
  2. Place the shrimp in the skillet without overcrowding. 
  3. Heat for 2 minutes on each side or until warm. 
  4. Serve and enjoy.  

How to reheat shrimp in the steamer

The steamer is another excellent way to reheat shrimp. 

This method doesn’t require the addition of any extra oil or cooking fat and helps retain moisture so your shrimp doesn’t dry out. 

Be sure when you use the steamer that the steaming basket isn’t touching the water. 

Otherwise, your shrimp will go for a swim and they won’t turn out quite right!

  1. Fill a pot with water and place a steamer basket inside. 
  2. Place the shrimp inside the steamer basket in a single layer and place the lid on top.
  3. Turn the stove on high and wait for the water to boil. Once the water boils set the timer for two minutes. 
  4. Check the shrimp. If not ready, steam for another minute or until you reach the desired heat. Serve and enjoy.

How to reheat shrimp in the air fryer

If you have access to an air fryer, I highly recommend using it to reheat shrimp. 

Reheating shrimp with the air fryer is as effortless as using a microwave. And it lets you retain all that yummy juicy tenderness you love!

  1. Heat the air fryer to 300°F. 
  2. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or line with parchment paper.
  3. Place your shrimp in a single layer inside the basket and reheat for 2 minutes on each side or until warm.
  4. Serve and enjoy. 
Shrimp in air fryer basket.

How to reheat shrimp in the microwave

If your growling stomach can’t wait, then the microwave is the quickest option for warming up your shrimp. 

It takes only a minute or two and requires virtually no effort. 

Just be sure not to leave the shrimp in there for too long! Overly microwaved shrimp takes on a rubbery and chewy texture. 

I’ve found it’s best to microwave shrimp for a short amount of time, check, and then microwave for another 30 seconds if necessary. 

  1. Place the shrimp in a single layer inside a microwave-safe container. 
  2. Sprinkle the shrimp with a tiny bit of water and seal the container. 
  3. Microwave for 1-2 minutes on high. 
  4. Serve and enjoy. 

How to reheat fried shrimp

Thinking about reheating fried shrimp? You’ve come to the right place.

Reheating fried shrimp is just as easy as reheating unfried shrimp.

The only difference is now you want to retain the crispness of the battered outside while retaining the juiciness of the inside. 

To do that, you can use any of the methods we previously mentioned in addition to flash frying. 

The one exception to the list is the steamer. Steaming fried shrimp will make the breadcrumbs soggy and not very appetizing. 

Microwave – Zap the fried shrimp in the microwave for a minute or two and you’re ready to go.

Stovetop – Toss your shrimp in a skillet with a dash of oil and heat for about a minute on each side. 

Oven – Place your fried shrimp on a baking sheet and warm at 300°F. 

Air Fryer – Just like regular shrimp, you can air fry your leftover fried shrimp within minutes.

Flash Frying – If you really want to keep the crunch, flash fry your shrimp to reheat.

Broiler – A broiler is a terrific option if you want crispy fried shrimp without adding extra oil. 

How to reheat shrimp scampi

Shrimp scampi is absolutely irresistible and one of my favorites!

When I make shrimp scampi, I tend to whip up a large portion for dinner and serve it family style. 

Of course, this means we also have leftovers for lunch the next day. 

To reheat the leftovers, I recommend using either the microwave, oven, or stove. 

All of these options work well. Which one you choose really depends on time. 

Microwave – The microwave is the most efficient by far. Simply place your meal in a microwave-safe container with a lid and reheat for about 3 minutes or so on high, then serve. 

Stovetop – If you have some extra time, the stove is great to liven up the flavors. Heat a splash of olive oil or butter in a skillet, add your shrimp scampi, and toss with a pair of tongs until warm.

Oven – For larger servings, place your shrimp scampi in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 10-15 minutes.

How to reheat shrimp boil

Shrimp boils done right mean a giant feast! 

With plenty of leftovers to spare, a shrimp boil results in days worth of good eating. 

Microwave – Place everything in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and reheat. 
Stovetop – Simmer your shrimp boil in some extra stock just until warm so it doesn’t overcook.

Ideas for leftover shrimp

Now that you know the best ways to reheat shrimp, let’s talk leftovers!

Mexican, Thai, Italian, or Southern, no matter what flavors you’re in the mood for there’s a shrimp dish just waiting for you!

Here are a few of my absolute favorites to get you started:

Conclusion

Shrimp is an extremely versatile ingredient. No matter what you make with it, it still tastes great the next day. 

Try any one of these reheating methods and I’m sure you’ll be pleased. So pleased, you’ll probably find yourself cooking up an extra batch of shrimp like me!

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