Shrimp Stock

Homemade Shrimp Stock is a great make ahead ingredient. Sauté the shrimp shells with garlic, before adding water and some aromatic fresh herbs for a great tasting base stock. Once cooked, this versatile ingredient can be used in a whole range of different dishes.

 

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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.

My family loves shrimp, and shrimp based dishes feature regularly on the weekly dinner plan. Whilst I use the shrimp meat, I hate to see the shrimp shells going to waste.

Shrimp shells have so much flavor, that rather throwing them away, I like to make this simple shrimp stock. This is my best shrimp stock recipe, it uses ingredients most of us will have at home, and adds a boost of flavor to any dish it is added to.

I make my shrimp stock on the stovetop, but you can also use make Instant Pot Shrimp Stock, or Slow Cooker Shrimp Stock and I explain both those processes later in the post.

I like making my own homemade stocks and broths; that way, I know what's going into them. Homemade stock is always healthy as it contains no preservatives and also happens to be naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients Needed

• Shrimp shells - I usually buy a pound or two of shrimp at a time and save the shells.
• Aromatics and Herbs - I use garlic, celery, yellow onion, carrot, celery, whole black peppercorns, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and salt.
• Water - to make the stock.

How to make shrimp stock

Heat a large pot over medium heat.

Add the oil, shrimp shells, and garlic and sauté until the shells turn pink, about 2-3 minutes. 

Add water, onion, carrot, celery, black peppercorns, thyme, parsley, and bay leaf to the pot and bring to a simmer.

Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, until the liquid has reduced and the stock tastes like shrimp. 

Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Add salt if desired.

Cool and use immediately or store for later use.

Other cooking methods

This recipe is easily adapted to suit other methods of cooking and I've detailed those below.

How to make shrimp stock in Instant Pot

After sautéing the shrimp shells and garlic in the oil, add to the Instant Pot along with the remaining ingredients. Cover the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, then allow the pressure cooker to naturally release for 10 minutes.

How to make shrimp stock in slow cooker

Follow the directions above but add ingredients to a slow cooker after sautéing the shrimp shells and garlic. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours. 

Why sauté the shrimp shells when making stock?

Sautéing the shrimp shells in garlic first adds depth of flavor to the finished stock. This important steps results in a richer, fuller, intensely flavored shrimp broth.

Uses for shrimp stock

As with any great-quality homemade stock, it can be used in a variety of dishes. Try adding it to soups, like crab bisque, stews, and risotto—basically any dish where you would add a fish or seafood-based stock.

This makes a great base for shrimp stock soup, sauté some veggies, add the stock, and finally, some fresh shrimp.

You can also adapt the flavors to make an Asian shrimp stock, by adding some soy sauce, rice wine and slices of fresh ginger. Fresh red chilies can also be added for a kick of heat.

What makes homemade stock different to store bought?

Homemade stock always tastes better as you can tailor the recipe to suit. Also, there are no unnecessary additives and preservatives in a homemade stock, just simple, natural ingredients.

Recipe Tips

• When preparing shrimps for recipes there is always leftover shrimp shells. The shells have so much flavor and this is a great way to use them up, rather than wasting them.
• Any time I'm preparing shrimp I save the shell and heads and place into a zip-loc freezer bag. I store the bag in the freezer, adding to it as I go along, until I am ready to cook up a batch of shrimp stock. The shells will store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Divide the stock between several small jars or storage containers. Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Don't season the stock with salt during the cook as you will ruin the flavor. As it bubbles away, the stock reduces and you can end up with really salty stock. Instead I season the stock to taste once it has been reduced, or season the food I am adding the stock to.

How do you store shrimp stock?

Homemade shrimp stock is a great make ahead ingredient, that can be stored until you are ready to use it. I like to make a large batch, using some now and freezing some for later.

To refrigerate: Once cooked allow the stock to cool in the jar or container, then when cold fit with a lid and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use ensure you heat the stock up to piping hot.

To freeze: Once cooked allow the stock to cool completely and place into an airtight container with a tight fitting lid. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly and reheat it to piping hot before serving.

FAQs

More recipes featuring shrimp

We eat a lot of shrimp, so why not try some of these other great recipes, and save the shells for making this stock.

• Southern Style Shrimp & Grits
• Shrimp Cocktail
• Easy Southern Pickled Shrimp
• Jamaican Curry Shrimp
• Baked Jamaican Jerk Shrimp

If you have tried this homemade shrimp stock recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.