Prawns can be reheated in the microwave, oven or stovetop. You can reheat frozen prawns directly out of the freezer, or you can let them thaw in the fridge for 6-12 hours before reheating. You should not reheat them more than once.
Reheating Cooked Frozen Prawns in the Microwave
How to do it:
1. Spread the prawns out on a microwave-safe dish.
2. Cover them with a paper towel.
3. Microwave them for about 30 seconds at a time. Pause to check them at 30-40 second intervals until they are piping hot.
Pros of microwaving frozen prawns
- It’s fast
- It’s effective
- It’s convenient
- It’s efficient
You don’t have to sit and watch them cook if you pop them in the microwave, allowing you to do other things while they thaw.
Cons of microwaving frozen prawns
- Can cook unevenly
- Some people don’t like the taste
One reason to spread the prawns out on a plate is that the microwave is notorious for cooking unevenly.
Reheating Cooked Frozen Prawns in the Oven
Cooking in the oven when you have already cooked your prawns might seem like a waste of time.
However, setting your oven to a low temperature and slowly allowing the prawns to thaw in the warm stove can bring the flavor out.
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C
2. Place the prawns in a baking dish and cook the prawns for around 10-15 minutes, or until they look done.
3. Take out and allow to cool for up to 5 minutes.
Pros
Using the oven has a few benefits:
- Fast
- Simple
- Tasty
Cons
There are a couple of cons as well:
- Not energy-efficient
- Might dry the prawns out
Reheating Cooked Frozen Prawns in a Skillet
Perhaps one of the best methods for reheating your cooked frozen prawns is in a skillet on the stovetop. With a little bit of oil and maybe some salt, you’ll have a revitalized piece of seafood in a few short minutes.
The skillet is a great way to reheat frozen food because it’s a helpfully multipurpose tool. It thaws the food quickly but not so soon that it might dry out. It also brings out a lot of the flavor, especially when you add a delicious oil and tasty spices.
Reheating cooked frozen prawns in the skillet also allows you to throw other items in the pan, like vegetables or pasta. Depending on what you want the prawns for, you can create any type of delightful dishes from the revitalized leftovers.
To reheat in the skillet, simply toss the prawns in with a little oil and cook until golden brown.
Pros
There are some excellent reasons to reheat cooked frozen prawns in the skillet:
- The overall taste is pleasant
- It’s convenient for making full meals
Cons
Naturally, there are some things you might not like about the skillet:
- It can be messy
- The prawns can burn quickly
Can You Reheat Cooked Frozen Prawns More Than Once?
Just like you shouldn’t reheat cooked frozen chicken more than once, you definitely should not reheat your cooked frozen prawns more than once. There are severe food safety concerns when you reheat them more than once.
The best thing is to store your cooked frozen prawns in smaller portions. That way, when you pull them out for reheating, you don’t feel the need to reheat the entire batch. If you don’t think you can eat all the prawns you initially cook, portioning them will quickly help you reheat smaller amounts.
No one wants to toss prawns, but that’s the best thing to do if you find yourself in a situation where you have to reheat them more than once. Otherwise, you might find yourself getting unpleasantly ill.
Related Questions
Now that you understand some of the basics of reheating cooked frozen prawns, let’s look at some related questions that might come up as you pursue your prawn journey.
Can you cook already cooked prawns when frozen?
Yes, you can cook frozen prawns. Some people like to let their frozen meat and seafood thaw thoroughly before cooking them, but there’s no need to do that. Frozen prawns will cook just fine when frozen.
Even if you’ve already cooked them once and stored them in the freezer, you don’t need to let them thaw before reheating them.
How do you defrost cooked prawns?
If you want to defrost your cooked frozen prawns before using them, there are some simple ways you can go about that process. The best way, however, is in the sink.
First, you can put them in a colander and place them under cold running water for a few minutes. Don’t use warm water, as this will thaw them unevenly. And hot water is a bad idea as well.
Can you pan fry cooked prawns?
Yes, you can pan fry cooked prawns. Frying is one of the best ways to rejuvenate them. Frying them in a skillet sort of brings them back to life and makes them an enjoyable leftover meal for the whole family.
