Need a good idea for an easy weeknight dinner? Try this easy best Costco cilantro lime shrimp recipe. With such simple ingredients for a quick marinade, it comes together in record time. What’s even better is that the cilantro lime sauce can be tailored to your specific palette and tastebuds. If you like easy shrimp recipes, you might also like these jerk shrimp tacos, this hibachi shrimp meal prep bowl, or these shrimp enchilada bowls.
Cilantro lime shrimp is truly a favorite way for me to prepare juicy shrimp. What’s the reason? The dish is very flexible and can be made in many ways, such as lettuce wraps, cilantro lime shrimp tacos, or shrimp bowls. The options are endless in taking this simple protein and recreating it into a delicious dish.
Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp is a tasty and convenient pre-marinated shrimp that many people love to keep on hand But what if you buy more than you can eat right away? Can you freeze the leftover cilantro lime shrimp from Costco to enjoy later?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp! However there are some important steps to follow to ensure it freezes and reheats well. In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp, from understanding the ingredients to proper storage and reheating techniques.
An Overview of Costco’s Cilantro Lime Shrimp
First let’s take a quick look at what exactly Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp is. This pre-marinated shrimp product is fully cooked and flavored with a zesty blend of lime juice cilantro, and spices. It’s a convenient and tasty protein that can be used in a variety of dishes from tacos to salads.
Some key things to know about Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp:
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It comes pre-cooked so it just needs to be thawed and heated before serving.
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The shrimp is marinated in a flavorful cilantro-lime sauce.
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It has a fairly long shelf life compared to raw shrimp. Properly stored, it lasts 5-7 days refrigerated.
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It’s a versatile ingredient that works in many recipes, from shrimp tacos to ceviche.
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It’s sold in bulk packages at Costco warehouses. A 2 lb package yields around 32 servings.
These facts about Costco’s well-known cilantro lime shrimp will help us talk about how to freeze them later.
Can You Freeze Costco’s Cilantro Lime Shrimp?
The good news is that you can freeze Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp that has already been cooked. The shrimp itself freezes well, so this marinated product is no exception.
Freezing it allows you to:
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Stock up when you find it on sale at Costco.
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Avoid waste if you can’t eat it all before it expires.
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Always have a tasty protein on hand for quick weeknight meals.
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Meal prep shrimp tacos, salads, and more in advance.
Freezing does change the texture slightly, making it a bit more rubbery. But it will still taste great! The frozen cilantro lime shrimp is ideal for stir fries, pastas, soups, and other dishes where texture isn’t as important.
How to Freeze Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Freezing Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp properly is simple. Here are some tips:
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First, check the use-by date. You want to freeze it well before expiration for maximum freshness.
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Drain any excess liquid from the shrimp before freezing. Pat dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can cause freezer burn.
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Lay the shrimp flat in a single layer on a sheet pan or plate. Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid.
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Transfer the frozen shrimp to freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
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Label bags with contents and freeze-by date (about 2-3 months is best).
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Avoid storing the shrimp in the marinade, as acids can break down the shrimp over long freezing time.
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For best texture, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Following these steps will ensure Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp freezes well for future use!
Tips for Freezing Shrimp in General
The guidelines above apply specifically to Costco’s pre-cooked cilantro lime shrimp product. But what if you want to freeze raw shrimp or shrimp you cooked yourself? Here are some general tips:
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Peel, devein, and rinse raw shrimp before freezing. Pat very dry.
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Sort shrimp by size so they freeze evenly.
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Pretreat with salt or lemon juice to help minimize freezer burn.
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Spread in a single layer on a pan or plate and freeze until solid.
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Transfer to bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
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Raw shrimp keeps 6 months in the freezer; cooked shrimp 3-4 months.
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Thaw in the refrigerator or under cold running water.
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Don’t refreeze previously frozen shrimp. Cook within 1-2 days.
Following proper freezing methods helps maintain the quality and safety of shrimp.
How to Store Thawed Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Once thawed, Costco’s cilantro lime shrimp needs to be stored properly in the refrigerator. Here are some tips for storing thawed shrimp:
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Keep shrimp cold at 40°F or below.
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Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
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If freezing without marinade, toss the thawed shrimp with a bit of olive oil or lemon juice to keep moist.
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Use within 3 days for best quality and food safety.
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Do not refreeze previously frozen shrimp.
Proper refrigerated storage preserves texture and flavor of thawed cilantro lime shrimp.
Reheating Frozen Cilantro Lime Shrimp
The best way to reheat frozen Costco cilantro lime shrimp is on the stovetop or grill.
For stove:
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Heat 1 Tbsp oil in skillet over medium heat.
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Add desired amount of frozen shrimp in a single layer.
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Cook 2-3 minutes per side, until warmed through.
For grill:
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Oil grates lightly.
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Add shrimp directly to hot grill.
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Cook 2-3 minutes per side with lid closed.
Microwaving can make the texture rubbery. Oven baking on a sheet pan at 400°F also works.
Reheat only until warmed through, not beyond that. Overcooking previously frozen shrimp makes it tough.
Delicious Ways to Use Frozen Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Once thawed and reheated, you can use Costco’s frozen cilantro lime shrimp in a myriad of quick and easy meals:
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Tacos – Top warmed tortillas with shrimp, avocado, cotija cheese, and salsa.
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Salad – Toss shrimp with mixed greens, lime vinaigrette, and peppery radishes.
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Burrito bowls – Combine shrimp with rice, beans, veggies, avocado, and hot sauce.
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Stir fries – Stir fry shrimp with snap peas, baby corn, and teriyaki or Thai sauce.
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Pasta – Toss shrimp with linguine, basil pesto, chopped tomatoes and Parmesan.
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Soups – Add to seafood chowders and tomato-based shrimp bisques.
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Sandwiches – Stuff a toasted baguette with shrimp, arugula, tomatoes and remoulade.
The convenience of frozen cilantro lime shrimp means endless quick and easy meal possibilities!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about freezing Costco’s popular cilantro lime shrimp product? Here are answers to some common FAQs:
How long does frozen cilantro lime shrimp last? Properly stored in airtight packaging, it will maintain best quality for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Can you refreeze shrimp after thawing? It’s not recommended. Thaw only what you will use within a couple days.
Is it safe to eat frozen shrimp past the expiration date? Quality declines after the expiration date, but it is generally still safe. Use your judgment based on appearance and odor.
Should you rinse off the marinade before freezing? No, the acidic marinade can start “cooking” the shrimp. It’s best to freeze it with the marinade on.
Can you freeze raw shrimp in the cilantro lime marinade? Yes, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time when preparing it later to ensure it cooks through.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen shrimp? In the refrigerator overnight is ideal. Under cool running water also works well.
The Bottom Line
Costco’s pre-marinated cilantro lime shrimp offers great flavor in a convenient product. While best when fresh, you can successfully freeze leftovers for future use. Follow the proper methods for draining, freezing, storage, and reheating outlined above, and your frozen shrimp will stay tasty and textured. Keep a bag handy so you can whip up quick shrimp dinners anytime!
INGREDIENTS FOR CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP RECIPE
I love this recipe because the ingredients are simple. I tweaked them ever so slightly from my traditional cilantro lime marinade that I typically pair with chicken. For this recipe you will need:
- Cilantro that is fresh has a lemony and slightly sour taste.
- Fresh lime juice is tangy and bright, and it helps cool you down in hot weather. Can also use lemon juice as a good substitute.
- Red onion—I like using red onion in this marinade because it has a milder flavor than yellow or white onion.
- Fresh Jalapeño—a little jalapeño adds some heat and spice. To make it less spicy, take out the seeds before you blend them.
The spices used to season the shrimp are: black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes and old bay seasoning.
WHAT TYPE OF SHRIMP TO USE
There are a few types of shrimp that I would recommend for this simple recipe. But I wouldn’t always suggest pre-cooked shrimp because this recipe calls for a marinade instead of cooking the shrimp. a cilantro lime finisher. The types of raw shrimp that will pair well with this marinade are:
White shrimp – these shrimp are translucent in color when raw however turn pink when cooked. These shrimp are easy to peel and are tender with a slightly sweet flavor.
Pink shrimp – these shrimp are generally pink when raw and a deeper pink when cooked. These shrimp are small and sweet however do tend to be on the smaller side.
Argentina Red Shrimp – with a slightly sweeter flavor, these shrimp have a more elegant feel to them. They have a taste a texture that will remind you of lobster.