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How to Dehydrate Shrimp

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Dehydrated shrimp delivers bold, savoury flavour and is a powerhouse of lean protein and essential nutrients. It’s incredibly versatile—perfect for enhancing rice and noodle dishes, soups, and stir-fries. It can even be enjoyed as a protein-rich jerky for a tasty, on-the-go snack.

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Snapshot

Special Prep

steam or simmer

Temperature

160°F

Time

6-8 hours

Mass Change

Approx 70% decrease

How to prep shrimp for dehydrating

Steaming or simmering shrimp before dehydrating serves numerous purposes:

  • Kills surface bacteria and enzymes that can cause spoilage
  • Improves rehydration texture
  • Preserves colour

Here’s a basic guide on how to steam or simmer shrimp for dehydration:

  1. Prepare: Devein and remove the tails

  2. If steaming: Using a steamer or a steamer basket in a pot, steam for 3-4 minutes. 

  3. If simmering: Pour a thin layer of water in a frying pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer shrimp for about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. 

  4. Cool: Immediately cool by rinsing with cold water or transferring to a cold or ice water bath. This helps further retain the colour and texture of the shrimp.

  5. Drain: Once cooled, drain the excess water from the shrimp.

  6. Dehydration: Proceed with the dehydration process.

Pro tip:

It’s best to use small or medium sized shrimp: shrimp that are too large or thick can be difficult to dehydrate evenly, often resulting in an overly chewy texture. If using large shrimp, slice them in half lengthwise before dehydrating. 

How to dehydrate shrimp

Basic Steps:
  1. Simmer the shrimp in a thin layer of water in a frying pan, or steam them for about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through if simmering.
  2. Cool by rinsing with cold water or immersing in a cold or ice water bath
  3. Drain and arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the pieces (avoid over lapping)
  4. Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 160°F for about 6 hours 

It’s that easy!

Notes:

  • A mesh liner is recommended for shrimp; required for small shrimp 
  • Dehydrating times may vary (the water content in the shrimp, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
  • To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics

How do you know when shrimp is fully dehydrated?

Medium sized shrimp before and after dehydrating

Shrimp should feel dry and firm to the touch, with a stiffness that allows them to snap when bent. When broken and  squeezed, no moisture should release.

Jar test: If eager, you can place your shrimp in a glass jar and tightly close the lid. If you notice moisture or condensation forming in the jar within 24-48 hours (or if the shrimps become soft) you know there is still moisture and more dehydrating time is needed. 

Note: You technically can’t over dehydrate shrimp. If in doubt, dehydrate until you’re absolutely certain there’s no moisture left. **The only exception is over-dehydrating shrimp jerky as you could lose the slightly chewy texture.

Fresh to dehydrated conversion measurements ​

70%

The mass and weight of shrimp decreases by about 70% once dehydrated.

Ex. 14 medium sized shrimp

  • Pre-dehydrated: 106g 
  • Dehydrated: 33g 

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How to store dehydrated shrimp:

Here are some tips to help you maximize the shelf life of your dehydrated shrimp:

When dried and stored properly, dehydrated shrimp should have a shelf life of 2 months, 6 months in the fridge, to a couple of years in the freezer. 

 

Some of our recipes with dehydrated shrimp:

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Rehydrating dehydrated ingredients

When & Why to Rehydrate Dehydrated Ingredients

Knowing how much water to use for rehydration is essential for getting the best texture and flavour out of your dehydrated foods. Some ingredients are best rehydrated just before use, while others can absorb enough liquid  during cooking – it all depends on how you’re using them! 

For Dehydrated Meal Prep

  • When preparing dehydrated meals for outdoor adventures, understanding the water requirements for different ingredients ensures you add just the right amount, giving you confidence in your meal creativity and preparation.

Before Cooking or Baking

  • If a recipe doesn’t contain much liquid – such as stir-fries or casseroles – rehydrating beforehand prevents ingredients from staying too tough
  • Pre-soaking reduces cooking time, especially for hard ingredients like beans or root vegetables
  • Certain dehydrated ingredients (such as whole mushrooms or tomatoes) regain a better texture and flavour if rehydrated before cooking
  • Rehydrated ingredients absorb flavors more easily when cooked, making dishes more flavorful
  • Baking: Ingredients like dried fruits can be rehydrated to have a softer texture and to prevent them from drawing moisture out of the dough or batter

For Eating Raw

  • If you’re eating the dehydrated ingredients uncooked, but prefer a softer texture (such as using dehydrated fruits or vegetables in a salad)

Rehydrating dehydrated shrimp:

Dehydrated shrimp to minimum water ratio is typically 20g : 1/4 cup

 Per 20g of dehydrated shrimp:

Quick Simmer

  1. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil
  2. Turn down heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes
  3. Turn off or remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes

Just Add Hot Water

  1. Add 1/4 cup boiling water and stir
  2. Let soak for 20-30 minutes

Add water & refrigerate

  1. Add 1/4 cup water and stir
  2. Allow to cool, place in fridge and let soak for 24 hours

Note: it’s important to not let sit for more than 30 minutes in room temperature because of the risk of bacteria growth. 

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FAQs

Can I marinate the shrimp before dehydrating?

You can but the shrimp won’t absorb as much flavour because the proteins have already set from steaming. If you do, use an oil-free marinade and marinate for about 30 minutes. 

Can I use large shrimp?

Yes, but it’s best to slice them in half lengthwise. Shrimp that are too thick can be difficult to dehydrate evenly, often resulting in an overly chewy texture.

Can I use an oven to dehydrate shrimp?

Not unless your oven can maintain a low temperature of around 160°F (71°C). Shrimp need to be dehydrated at this temperature to dry properly. If the temperature is too high, you risk either cooking the shrimp or causing “case hardening,” where the outer layer hardens, trapping moisture inside and preventing proper drying.

How to Dehydrate Shrimp

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Dehydrated shrimp delivers bold, savoury flavour and is a powerhouse of lean protein and essential nutrients. It's incredibly versatile—perfect for enhancing rice and noodle dishes, soups, and stir-fries. It can even be enjoyed as a protein-rich jerky for a tasty, on-the-go snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Dehydrating time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes

Notable Equipment

  • 1 Dehydrator

Ingredients
  

  • small or medium shrimp

Instructions

  • 1. Simmer the shrimp in a thin layer of water in a frying pan, or steam them for about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through if simmering.
  • 2. Cool by rinsing with cold water or immersing in a cold or ice water bath
  • 3. Drain and arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the pieces (avoid over lapping)
  • 4. Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 160°F for about 6 hours 

Notes

  • Shrimp is considered a higher-risk ingredient when it comes to at-home dehydrating for long-term storage. For added food safety, consider storing your dehydrated shrimp in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. 
     
    To learn more about higher risk ingredients, check out our post Dehydrating Dont’s: Foods to Avoid and Ingredients to Handle With Care
  • When dried and stored properly, dehydrated shrimp should have a shelf life of 2 months, 6 months in the fridge, to a couple of years in the freezer. 
  • A mesh liner is recommended for shrimp; required for small shrimp 
  • Dehydrating times may vary (the water content in the shrimp, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
  • To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
Keywords: dehydrating, dehydrating shrimp

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Hi there! I'm Bri. I'm sharing my love for cooking - and the outdoors - one recipe at a time.

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