Leftover Shrimp Recipes (2024)

Leftover shrimp recipes are easy to make. We will show you what to do with leftover shrimp cooked by reheating seafood to tender again. Made into new one pot meals like our Instant Pot shrimp alfredo, with vegetables or in a soup you should never waste again.

We have a lot of recipes with leftover shrimp you can make. Warmed for just one minute and added to pasta, with vegetables or into a warm dip makes a second dish you’ll love. Don’t throw away seafood leftovers because they can be delicious again. (affiliate links present)

What to do with Leftover Shrimp

That is the big question right? A delicate ingredient from the sea, it can get chewy very easily unless warmed just slightly with a bit of added moisture. The key is to make a new meal and then fold it in allowing it to sit and warm together ideally. Or saute for 1 minute and toss with Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce to enjoy again.

And be automatically signed up for our free newsletter too!

Shrimp and Corn Soup is really the best way to warm leftover cooked shrimp low and slow. NO need for cooking in this case so you would follow the recipe and just drop these babies in for the last minute to warm with the other ingredients.

Leftover Shrimp Pasta Recipes

Now this is likely the easiest way to make a new meal from precooked seafood. You would just make your favorite spaghetti or angel hair pasta to al dente, toss with your favorite sauce, add your shrimps, toss, sit and allow them to warm together.

For a lower carb version you could make a batch of Air Fryer Zucchini Noodles which goes great with alfredo sauce, marinara or just butter salt and pepper. Take our your refrigerated bag 20 minutes beforehand so they can reach closer to room temperature. Fold together, cover for about 5 minutes and enjoy.

If you were making a batch of our Instant Pot Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta you would follow the directions. When done set the meat on top, fold together and let the lid sit ajar for a few minutes that way. An easy one pot meal with a creamy sauce, meat and noodles it is a family favorite we all love.

You can make a lot of our Instant Pot Shrimp Recipes, just adding them at the end to steam just until warmed too. That is really the theme of this whole post, do NOT heat them too long or you will get a chewy result. Instead integrate them into your dish at the end for the best results.

Precooked Shrimp Recipes

Our Shrimp Rotel Dip isa great party food for sure. There is no need to add anymore heat than needed. Once the cheese and other items are heated you would stir these babies in. It doesn’t take long for that to be done.

You can make our Air Fryer Shrimp Boil or our Instant Pot Shrimp Boil recipes with it too. Just include your pieces at the very end to warm. Once you have the corn on the cob and potatoes tender then integrate your meat and toss together. Set the basket or lid closed for a few minutes and done!!

Can you sauté already cooked shrimp?

You can but don’t do it for longer than about one minute in a skillet with a bit of butter. You want to moisten them up again to tender bites so a bit of olive oil or butter. Alternatively you can add a lid to steam quickly. This is a great way of How to Make Shrimp Tacos for dinnertime.

Is it ok to eat cold cooked shrimp?

Yes, as long as you packed them up within 2 hours of it being cooked initially. Store in a sealed airtight baggie in the fridge the night before. Don’t want to warm them at all?? Shrimp Deviled Eggs is a fantastic way to use them in an appetizer!! Just place one on the top to make each bite heartier with more protein.

Is it safe to eat cooked shrimp left out overnight?

No, it is not safe to eat cooked shrimp that has been left out at room temperature overnight. When food is left at room temperature for an extended period, bacteria can multiply rapidly. This increases the risk of you getting sick.

Cooked seafood in general is particularly prone to bacterial growth. It is a protein-rich food with a high moisture content. The general rule of thumb is the 2-hour rule. It needs to be packaged up into airtight containers and put into the fridge within that time to be safe.

Crispy Fried Leftover Shrimp

One way to add flavor and make the outer texture better is to make them breaded in some way. Note: this will overcook them a bit and make the meat firmer but it can be done. You can toss with olive oil, coat with flour and fry in a skillet with a bit of oil until crisp, or make Deep Frying Coconut Shrimp in Oil.

How do you know if cooked shrimp has gone bad?

Use your senses when you take them out of the fridge after they have been stored. Look at the coloring, they should be pink. Feel them and there shouldn’t be any icky feeling, they should be firm. Smell the inside of the bag and the scent shouldn’t be much at all. Any gross or odd odor isn’t good, here are some specifics;

1. Obviously if there is an unpleasant odor that is briny, smells sour, fishy, or strong it may be a sign that they have spoiled. If this is the case you should discard them immediately.
2. Freshly cooked shrimp should have a firm and slightly springy texture. If they start to feel slimy or slippery to the touch, it’s a sign that they have started to spoil. Don’t use them in this case.
3. They should always have a pink or orange color, depending on the species. If you think that they appear gray, discolored, or have dark spots, it may indicate spoilage.
4. Check the surface for any signs of mold growth or unusual discoloration. Mold growth is a clear indication that the seafood has spoiled and should be thrown away.
5. If you taste it and notice any unusual or off flavors, it’s a sign that they have gone bad and should not be consumed.

Before you go I want you to sign up for my free newsletter!! You will get all my new recipes emailed to you a few times a week that will help with meal planning for the week.

Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!

Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page because we share all our new creations there every single day. And follow me on Pinterest for more inspirations! 😉

***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉