Jumbo shrimp have a delicate sweetness and crunchiness that makes them perfect for shrimp cocktails and can also be easily grilled or baked in the oven.
If a recipe calls for shrimp but does not specify their size, jumbo size frozen seafood is an easy and versatile ingredient that works great in everything from pastas to stir-fries.
Quality
Frozen seafood quality can be affected by its handling and storage conditions, so when purchasing frozen seafood, it is important to look for packaging that does not exhibit freezer burn or frosting on the freezer door, as this indicates improper storage conditions. Furthermore, your frozen seafood should also be clear without heavy ice crystal formations; farmed shrimp are an excellent option as they are farmed in controlled environments so that production rates can be faster than wild-caught. Our extra jumbo farmed shrimp is a favourite due to its size and plump texture – you may also consider our extra jumbo farmed shrimp options, which offer quality products at faster production rates than the wild-caught catch.
Cooking
Frozen seafood can be daunting to cook due to its tendency to overcook, becoming chewy and rubbery if overdone. With proper precautions taken, however, frozen seafood can be cooked to perfection. One key step in doing this is making sure the frozen seafood is defrosted correctly prior to beginning the cooking process; place frozen seafood into a bowl filled with cool water and periodically change out this water as necessary to prevent too much warming and over-thawing of frozen seafood.
Consider when purchasing frozen seafood that its size depends on how many shrimp make up a pound and may differ between sellers; to get the best value, it is recommended to buy by weight rather than size.
Jumbo size frozen seafood works well as pasta toppings, while smaller bite-size pieces make excellent shrimp cocktail and skewer options. Medium-size shrimp work great in stir-fries or sautéing applications, while larger shrimp can be found in many seafood recipes such as salads or po’boy sandwiches. Jumbo sized shrimp can also be filled with crabmeat before baking to provide an eye-catching centrepiece to meals.
For all sizes of shrimp, it is advised to cook until their shellfish turns opaque with a pearly hue and their flesh firm to the touch – this will ensure complete cooking throughout. Cooking times will depend on both the recipe and the seafood type being used.
Storage
Seafood can quickly spoil when stored or transported at warm temperatures, particularly shellfish. Always check the date of expiration on its packaging, and avoid anything that appears discoloured, has visible frost, or appears damaged when tapped; dead shellfish spoil rapidly. To identify fresh seafood in good condition quickly and avoid spoilage issues, check its date of expiration on its packaging; look out for signs that it has gone bad, such as visible frost on it; and check whether its shell closes tightly when tapped by tapping. For lobsters and crabs, this means leg movement when tapping the packaging; dead shellfish spoil rapidly when exposed to warm temperatures in transit if stored incorrectly; dead shellfish spoil quickly once exposed to warm temperatures while transport.
Purchase jumbo size frozen seafood as the last item during your shopping trip and use a cooler to transport it home. For fresh seafood that needs to be used within two days, bury its package in an ice slurry made up of two parts ice to one part water in order to keep it cold until you are ready to prepare it.
When it comes time to store seafood in the freezer, find an area away from the door; this will help minimise temperature fluctuations as you open and close it. Place all the fish into a sealable, moisture-proof bag before pressing out all air before sealing it – this way, it can last for three months safely in your freezer!
Frozen seafood is a versatile option for appetisers, fast lunches or an upscale dinner. A good frozen seafood choice is sustainably raised in a controlled environment.
The number on the package, such as jumbo, medium or large, refers to how many shrimp are in a pound. The size of the shrimp will impact how long it takes to cook and can be important for some recipes.
