Shrimp etouffee is perfect for a crowd because it can make plenty of servings, which makes it important to know how to store and reheat shrimp etouffee to enjoy the perfect leftovers. In Houston, we love our savory Cajun seafood, and we love sharing with friends and family – but the leftovers we keep for ourselves!
The thing that gives most people pause on how to properly store and reheat shrimp etouffee is the fact that it contains seafood, which must be kept at the proper temperature for health and safety reasons. If this is a concern you share, fear not as we are here to help with tips for the perfect shrimp etouffee leftovers.
How to Safely Store Shrimp Etouffee for Later
After shrimp etouffee is cooked and served the first time, let the mixture cool until it has reached room temperature. That said, make sure it is just until it reaches room temperature as leaving it out for longer can cause harmful bacteria growth that could make you sick.
The next step is to put the etouffee into a storage container. It is important to use an airtight container to help preserve the dish’s flavor and freshness. Store the container in the refrigerator, potentially for up to three to four days.
If you choose to freeze your shrimp etouffee instead, it is helpful to separate the rice from the sauce to aid with reheating without compromising the ingredients. For the best results, we recommend consuming etouffee within one to two months from the time you put it in the freezer. When it comes time to reheat it and serve up the dish, it is best to let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a more even consistency before reheating begins.
Tips for Reheating Shrimp Etouffee
Shrimp etouffee’s wide range of ingredients from shrimp to rice to vegetables can make it a challenge to warm up leftovers without ruining its components. The secret to reheating this delicacy without overheating it is the method you choose. Although this recipe is a hearty stew of sorts, it must be reheated with care so as not to compromise the quality or flavor.
Here are some tips on how to evenly reheat your shrimp etouffee:
- Do not put shrimp etouffee from the refrigerator or freezer directly onto the stovetop. This is one of the most common mistakes people make. The risk with doing it this way is that in heating up the sauce to its regular consistency, it tends to overcook the shrimp. Instead, before you ever begin to warm up a portion, let the shrimp etouffee sit on the kitchen counter until it is close to room temperature (but do not let it sit out too long).
- Reconstitute the etouffee before warming. This generally involves adding in some form of liquid in very small amounts. We recommend adding a tablespoon or two of either melted butter, water, or a bit of olive oil per cup of the mixture you are reheating.
The next step is to choose which method you will use to do the actual warming of the shrimp etouffee.
- This can be one of the more popular methods for reheating because it gently and evenly begins warming this Cajun stew without overcooking the shrimp. It is best to use low heat and let it simmer when cooking so it is a slow and gradual warm up that preserves the original taste and texture. Putting a lid over the pan as the mixture simmers can help contain the steam and add in extra moisture for better consistency. It may take ten minutes or more for the shrimp etouffee to get sufficiently warmed. If the shrimp starts to lose its tenderness, remove it from the heat immediately.
- For more of a set it and forget it approach, some people use the oven to reheat their meal. Again, as with the stovetop method, the key is to use low heat of approximately 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the shrimp etouffee into an oven-safe dish and spread the mixture out so that all shrimp lay flat against the base of the dish. To help the etouffee retain its moisture during cooking, cover the dish with aluminum foil. Reheating times can vary but will likely take around ten to fifteen minutes. However, this method requires a periodic check to ensure the shrimp is not becoming overcooked.
- While the microwave can be the most convenient option, it is also the one that can overcook shrimp the fastest which can ruin shrimp etouffee. If you choose to use the microwave for reheating, use a covered microwave safe container and vented lid and warm it up only thirty seconds at a time. In between each thirty second interval, stirring is recommended to ensure the mixture is getting evenly reheated. Because microwaves have different wattage and power levels, it may be best to start with cooking it in 30-second intervals for two minutes and add more time as necessary. Be diligent in ensuring that the shrimp does not get overcooked.
Why Overcooking Shrimp Is A Problem
Shrimp are fairly delicate and tend to cook quickly regardless of how they are originally cooked or reheated. This is why it requires you to keep such a close eye on it during these processes.
But what happens if, despite your best efforts, the shrimp does become overcooked? What exactly does this mean for your meal?
For starters, shrimp may look different. The longer shrimp are cooked the more they take the shape of a letter C. If it curls into a tight C, it may already be overcooked. What once was a dish with big shrimp, may quickly become a stew with much smaller shrimp.
The other issue with overcooking is the texture of the shrimp. When they become tough and rubbery in texture, they have cooked too long. This can unfortunately make the etouffee far less appetizing.
However, by following the above tips, you should now be equipped to reheat your shrimp etouffee without overcooking the shrimp.
If you are craving some Cajun shrimp etouffee, come to any of our Cajun Seafood Houston restaurants or consider making your weekly meal-prep a cinch by ordering it for takeout. Now, if you have any leftovers, you will know just what to do to enjoy the dish the next day or so.