Instant Pot shrimp is incredibly simple, fast, and just as good as steaming it the traditional way. Read on for why it’s not just possible to steam your shrimp straight from the freezer, but actually advisable to do so!

• 

• 

My experience with preparing dishes in the Instant Pot that begin with frozen meats, seafood and vegetables is fairly extensive.

After publishing my first cookbook, Weeknight Cooking with your Instant Pot, I was even more in love with my Instant Pot than ever before. The convenience, the incredibly tender meats in less than half the time of braising, and the challenge of converting time-consuming mainstream recipes to a pressure cooker was fun and relaxing for me. Yes, at times a challenge, but almost always enjoyable.

But what if I could take it a step further and save even more time? The thought of taking a frozen block of meat or seafood straight from the freezer and immediately cooking it – and having it turn out just as good as if I’d thawed it first – was so exciting!

I approached my publisher about my idea for a second book where every recipe starts with something straight from the freezer. She loved the idea, and so I began testing recipes to see if it was even possible. I was thrilled to discover that it’s not only possible, but the results are the same and, in some cases, even better!

Can you steam frozen shrimp in the Instant Pot?

Instant Pot Shrimp is one of those recipes in the “even better” category. I’ve long advised my readers on my original blog, The Wicked Noodle, to purchase their seafood frozen and not from the seafood counter (unless they live close enough to purchase it fresh straight from the boat). Otherwise you have no idea how long it’s been sitting there, thawed and desperately needing to be prepared as soon as possible. Buying it frozen means YOU control how long it’s thawed and, therefore, how quickly it gets cooked.

Which is why Instant Pot Shrimp is so perfect! If you’re buying it frozen anyway, and can skip the process of thawing it completely, it’s so much easier and faster. Plus no more planning ahead to thaw something!

It’s also not just possible to steam frozen shrimp in the Instant Pot, it’s advisable to do so. Shrimp can easily overcook, so starting from frozen is preferable as it allows the shrimp to cook to the perfect doneness.

How long do you steam Instant Pot Shrimp?

To steam Instant Pot shrimp, place the shrimp in a steamer basket and add 1 cup of water to the pot. Set the Instant Pot to the “Steam” setting and the timer to 1 minute. For best results, use jumbo-sized shrimp and use quick-release for the pressure once the time is up.

Making Instant Pot shrimp is so simple that I find myself making it far more often than I used to. It only takes me about 2 minutes to pull out my Instant Pot, pour in the water, open the bag of shrimp and add it to the pot! Considering the 1-minute cook time and how quick it is to assemble, it’s no wonder why I make it all the time now.

This base recipe for Instant Pot shrimp is perfect for use in so many recipes. I’ll often just dip it into some cocktail sauce or drawn butter, but it’s also perfect for a quick shrimp salad or stuffed into a soft garlic roll with mayonnaise or drizzled melted butter. It’s also wonderful tossed with pasta or added as a topping for Instant Pot soup!