This spring, I’ve been making some pretty impressive seafood dinners — and no one is more surprised by that than me. You see, I used to think that I couldn’t afford the luxury of buying fish and shellfish on a weekly basis. But thanks to the freezer aisle at a beloved grocery store, I’ve been able to stock up on seafood and get more creative in the kitchen.
It’s all thanks to the “fish feast” dinners we started doing with my partner’s parents a few months ago. When we went to their house for dinner one evening, I saw a massive, steaming pan of mussels and shrimp. I assumed they had spent a hefty amount on the ingredients, but it turns out they got their seafood at an affordable price from Aldi’s freezer section. My interest was piqued, so naturally I had to go and check out Aldi’s options for myself — and I have been buying seafood there ever since. One item in particular has been my dinner MVP: the pre-cooked, frozen shrimp ring.
What’s So Great About the Aldi Cooked Shrimp Ring?
The Aldi frozen seafood section has completely expanded my world. I’m a huge fan of the mussels in garlic butter sauce for $2.79, the ahi tuna steaks for $4.85, and, of course, the cooked shrimp ring for $9.99.
The shrimp ring makes adding shrimp to meals easy and convenient. It’s meant to be a cocktail shrimp appetizer, so the shrimp are already cleaned and steamed with the tails left on. It’s an entire pound of shrimp that’s ready to eat, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat it cold.
What’s the Best Way to Use the Aldi Cooked Shrimp Ring?
I mainly use the shrimp ring to bulk up other dinners. With a defrosted shrimp ring ready to go, I feel like I can add an element of sophistication to several meals — and it takes no effort on my end. If I’m steaming the garlic butter mussels, I’ll toss in some of the thawed frozen shrimp to create a seafood medley. If I’m making a mostly veggie stir-fry, I’ll pop open the container of shrimp and add a handful to the pan for a pop of protein.
The best way to approach using this pre-cooked, frozen shrimp in hot meals is gently. Keep in mind that you don’t need to cook it again; it’s best when just heated through. The best way to do this is to thaw the shrimp ring overnight in the fridge. (If you’re in a rush, you can take the outer lid off and just run cold water over the inner plastic seal for 10 to 20 minutes until they’re thawed.) Cook the meal you’re making (a stir-fry, bouillabaisse, or penne with tomato sauce would be fantastic places to start) and then once you’re in the last couple of minutes of heating or simmering, toss in all of the shrimp you need at once. Give it a stir and turn off the heat. This move simultaneously warms the shrimp and cools the rest of the dish down to the perfect eating temperature.
Find it in stores: Aldi Cooked Shrimp Ring, $9.99 for 16 ounces at Aldi
What’s your favorite seafood find at Aldi? Tell us about it in the comments.
