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How do y'all put up shrimp?

Posted on 5/1/22 at 1:09 pm
Posted by LSUballs
RayVegas LA
Member since Feb 2008
38878 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 1:09 pm
Just put in a ziplock and freeze? Freeze in water? Vac seal? I've got about 15lbs of fresh head on. Many thanks
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
17808 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 1:11 pm to
I totally peel them, put them in quart Ziplock freezer bags, cover them with water and freeze them until I need them.

I remove the shells because it doesn't take much for one of the prongs on the head or tail to puncture the bag. Plus, I use the shells for shrimp stock so nothing goes to waste.


Oh, and after they are covered in water, I remove all air from the bag prior to freezing.
This post was edited on 5/1/22 at 1:13 pm
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49026 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 1:17 pm to
The heads etc... can easily puncture bags, so if you want to freeze them with heads and tails, I freeze in quart containers in water to cover them. Even the heads freeze well that way. I use those often for bbq shrimp.

ETA: When I freeze in water, I cover the top of the shrimp/water in plastic wrap and press out all the air bubbles so it's basically vac sealed.

You could de-head them and freeze the heads separately.

I've never tried to freeze them "flash frozen" like we get them when we order online. So convenient to have the shrimp in a heavy bag loose so you can grab what you want. I don't know if that works in a regular freezer. I've never researched it.
This post was edited on 5/1/22 at 1:19 pm
Posted by MobileJosh
On the go
Member since May 2018
1124 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 1:18 pm to
Same way I put up whole bream. Cut the top off a milk jug, add shrimp, fill with water and freeze.
Posted by 4LSU2
Member since Dec 2009
37746 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 2:10 pm to
I always de-head shrimp when freezing.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
17038 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 3:43 pm to
I dehead them and put in these containers, cover with water, and freeze.
Posted by tiggerfan02 2021
HSV
Member since Jan 2021
3518 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 4:27 pm to
One more vote for plastic containers filled with water and frozen.
They will keep fresh for a few years in a deep freezer at 0 or below.
Posted by SixthAndBarone
Member since Jan 2019
9809 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 4:44 pm to
For head-on, I know people who use the plastic containers. I use Sealed Air (Cryovac) bags with water. The heads won’t poke through as long as I put the bag in the freezer carefully.
Posted by Got Blaze
Youngsville
Member since Dec 2013
9442 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 4:47 pm to
This is how we did it back in the day
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22721 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 5:44 pm to
I pop the heads and freeze them in square plastic containers covered with water. I run some cool water over them to defrost them and as they seperate i peel them.
This post was edited on 5/1/22 at 5:45 pm
Posted by t00f
Not where you think I am
Member since Jul 2016
99775 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 5:48 pm to
Yep. Pop the head and freeze in zip locks with water
Posted by Icansee4miles
Trolling the Tickfaw
Member since Jan 2007
30841 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 6:01 pm to
32 oz Gatorade bottles, stuff full and cover with water. Fit in the doors of my upright. Do the same with smaller fish fillets too.

Guess it’s this generation’s version of the waxed milk cartons we used as I was growing up.
Posted by Icansee4miles
Trolling the Tickfaw
Member since Jan 2007
30841 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 6:20 pm to
If you cook using large quantities of the Guidry’s chopped seasoning, those containers are identical to these (32 oz)
Posted by Irregardless
Member since Nov 2021
2237 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 6:50 pm to
As many have said, I remove the heads. But leave the shells. Ziplock with water. I think the shells protect the meat and I think they go bad quicker with the heads on. The fat in the heads will go rancid a lot sooner than the meat.
Posted by rodnreel
South La.
Member since Apr 2011
1452 posts
Posted on 5/1/22 at 8:36 pm to
I used to head then freeze in water. A neighbor was at the house when I brought home 15# shrimp and he helped head, peel, devein then vacuum pack.

I much prefer this because I find they last much longer and after they defrost they are ready to cook.

I did the same think with left over crawfish from a boil.
This post was edited on 5/1/22 at 8:38 pm
Posted by geauxnc0308
pineywoods of ET
Member since May 2008
572 posts
Posted on 5/2/22 at 5:56 am to
I use the cheap Walmart brand square zip loc containers (I think they are 1qt). That way they stack/organize in the deep freezer. I head them, leave shells on, cover in water 7/8 full. Make stock with heads, freeze that in ice cube trays, throw those in zip loc bag.
Posted by hungryone2
Member since Oct 2021
78 posts
Posted on 5/2/22 at 10:08 am to
I like shallow, square or rectangular containers as well. Makes it easier to defrost than a cylinder quart container.

If they're peeled, I'll put them in small quantities in the little zip bags. Enough for 1-2 servings--I don't always need several pounds at a time.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
22363 posts
Posted on 5/2/22 at 11:40 am to
I read an article recently that the shrimp heads have a much higher concentration of a chemical that breaks the shrimp down, and that its almost always preferred to buy shrimp with heads off because they will be firmer since they have less of that chemical. I can't remember or find the chemical.

But I will say that the heads do almost always get mushy first before the tails, so this made sense to me? Point being, unless you want the heads for something, it may make sense to remove them immediately?
Posted by One More Shot
Member since Nov 2021
397 posts
Posted on 5/2/22 at 2:04 pm to
Guess I'm in the minority here..... I de-head and vacuum seal dry. They keep a heck of a lot longer than in water.
Posted by offshoreangler
713, Texas
Member since Jun 2008
22465 posts
Posted on 5/2/22 at 2:24 pm to
quote:

Guess I'm in the minority here..... I de-head and vacuum seal dry. They keep a heck of a lot longer than in water.


I do the same. Saves a lot more room in the freezer too.
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