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Make this homemade Shrimp Stock Recipe from leftover shrimp shells with this simple and economical tutorial. All your favorite seafood recipes will taste even more delicious! Freezer-friendly.
Shrimp shells are loaded with great flavor. All you have to do is coax it out with a little boiling water and some time. It’s the same basic technique people use for making chicken stock with chicken bones.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Shrimp shells: You’ll need 4 cups of shrimp shells from 2 pounds of shrimp for this recipe. But you can gather it in batches: save uncooked shrimp shells in a plastic bag in your freezer until you have enough. Technically, you can make stock with cooked shells, but the flavor will be weaker.
- Cold water: Always start with cold water. This helps keep the broth clear, not cloudy. The amount of water used and the length of simmering time will determine the intensity of the broth.
- Vegetables: Some cooks save old vegetable trimmings to add to their broth. I prefer to start with new, fresh vegetables because I think the broth will taste better. So yes, we peel the carrots, and save your vegetable scraps for composting!
- Herbs and spices: A sachet is a fancy term for parsley sprigs, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, and optionally, garlic or cloves, tied up in a piece of cheesecloth with twine. You could also use a tea ball or loose-leaf tea bag to hold them. It makes it easier to pull these small ingredients out of the broth later. Or, you can just add everything straight to the pot since you strain the broth at the end.
Step-by-step instructions
- To a Dutch oven or large stockpot, add shrimp shells, onion, carrot, celery, and salt. If desired, tie parsley stems, thyme, garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a sachet or add loosely to the pot (see note 4). Add cold water to cover.
- Over medium-high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered (bubbles should barely break the surface at irregular intervals) for 20 minutes.
- Strain the broth into a large bowl through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Chill covered in the refrigerator, then ladle the broth into freezer-safe dishes (leaving at least 1/2-inch for expansion), label, and freeze.
Recipe tips or variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 cups (1 quart) shrimp stock.
- Storage: Store shrimp stock in the refrigerator and use within 4 days.
- Freezer: Divide the stock into freezer-safe containers (I like to use 16-ounce glass jars) and leave 1/2-inch head space for expansion. Label and date, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Shrimp stock vs. broth: Technically, stock is made with just bones (or shells), while broth is made with bones and meat.
- Seafood stock: Lobster bodies (lucky you!) and crab bodies can also be added to make a fantastic seafood stock.
More seafood favorites
Appetizer Recipes
Shrimp Ceviche
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Salad Recipes
Shrimp Salad
Mardi Gras Recipes
Wisconsin-Style Jambalaya
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Shrimp Stock Recipe
Make this homemade shrimp stock recipe from leftover shrimp shells with this simple and economical tutorial. All your favorite seafood recipes will taste even more delicious! Freezer-friendly.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shrimp shells from 2 pounds large shrimp (about 6 ounces, see note 1)
- Cold water about 8 cups (see note 2)
- 1 medium onion peeled and halved (see note 3)
- 1 carrot peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 celery rib coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon salt
Sachet (see note 4):
- 6 fresh parsley stems
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Instructions
- To a Dutch oven or large stock pot, add shrimp shells, onion, carrot, celery, and salt. If desired, tie parsley stems, thyme, garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a sachet or add loosely to the pot (see note 4). Add cold water to cover.
- Over medium-high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered (bubbles should barely break the surface at irregular intervals) for 20 minutes.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Chill covered in the refrigerator, then divide the broth into freezer-safe containers (leaving at least 1/2-inch for expansion), label, and freeze.
Notes
- Shrimp shells: You’ll need 4 cups of shrimp shells from 2 pounds of shrimp for this recipe. But you can gather it in batches: save uncooked shrimp shells in a plastic bag in your freezer until you have enough. Technically, you can make stock with cooked shells, but the flavor will be weaker.
- Cold water: Always start with cold water. This helps keep the broth clear, not cloudy. The amount of water used and the length of simmering time will determine the intensity of the broth.
- Vegetables: Some cooks save old vegetable trimmings to add to their broth. I prefer to start with new, fresh vegetables because I think the broth will taste better. So yes, we peel the carrots, and save your vegetable scraps for composting!
- Herbs and spices: A sachet is a fancy term for parsley stems, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, and optionally, garlic or cloves, tied up in a piece of cheesecloth with twine. You could also use a tea ball or loose-leaf tea bag to hold them. It makes it easier to pull these small ingredients out of the broth later. Or, you can just add everything straight to the pot since you strain the broth at the end.
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 cups (1 quart) shrimp stock.
- Storage: Store shrimp stock in the refrigerator and use within 4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cupCalories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 7gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 2727mgPotassium: 377mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2584IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
So easy to do and yummy