We all love eating shrimp, don’t we? A survey suggests that, on average, every American consumes over four pounds of shrimp every year, making them the most consumed seafood in America.
That being said, dried shrimps are a kind of shrimps that have been dried and shrunken down by putting under direct sunlight. Dried shrimps are a staple in many dishes in Asian cuisines.
While dried shrimps have a unique taste to them, the health benefits they offer are an absolute cherry on the cake, which is why experts recommend eating them regularly. Dried shrimps have been associated with plenty of health benefits.
For starters, they are low in calories. Consuming 100 grams of shrimp means you are intaking 99 calories only, making them an excellent choice for those interested in reducing their overall caloric intake.
Furthermore, they contain zero fats, promoting a leaner and healthier body. They also regulate cholesterol levels as the cholesterol present in shrimps is not lousy cholesterol that causes heart problems. In addition, dried shrimps are also quite effective for reducing blood pressure.
It’s no secret that sodium is not suitable for people suffering from hypertension, which makes it essential to choose foods that have low sodium content but are rich in other nutrients. Well, shrimps offer you precisely that!
With only 4% of the recommended allowance of sodium per 100 grams, dried shrimps are a great choice for people with high blood pressure. However, to relish dried shrimps to the fullest, they must be cooked properly.
While well-cooked shrimps are luscious and healthy, poorly cooked shrimps are a waste of time and money. With that out of the way, dried shrimps are not available in all regions of the world. If you find them in your nearby grocery store, great!
But if you don’t, you may want to consider using their substitutes instead. This is why we will be using this article to provide you with some of the best substitutes that can be used instead of dried shrimps.
Dried Shrimp Substitutes
Below are the most suitable substitutes for dried shrimps available in the market.
- Shrimp Paste
Not having access to an important ingredient for your dish can be quite annoying. Though, there are usually some substitutes that can be used and offer a similar taste. In the case of dried shrimps, most people recommend using shrimp paste.
For those unfamiliar with shrimp paste, it is a fermented item made of fermented shrimps and salt. Also known as prawn sauce, shrimp paste is widely used all over the world as a substitute for dried shrimps.
However, it is important to mention that you won’t get the exact same taste of dried shrimps when using shrimp paste. Of course, the taste will be slightly different, but it works fine in most recipes. Additionally, you’d have to test the paste yourself to get an idea of the quantity.
Depending on the flavor you like, you can add shrimp paste accordingly. Shrimp paste is often seasoned with salt to enhance the taste. Although many brands manufacture shrimp paste in Asia, it’s not widely eaten in some areas.
If that’s the case, consider opting for its alternatives or making shrimp paste at home. Fortunately, making shrimp paste at home is an absolute cinch if you have the required ingredients. To make shrimp paste at home, take fermented shrimps in a bowl and add some salt.
Ideally, the amount of salt should be one-third of the amount of fermented shrimp. Now take another bowl and add garlic, tomato, onion, and some oil to it. Cook it for several minutes on medium heat. When the onion changes its color, it indicates that it is now cooked correctly.
So, add fermented shrimps to the bowl as soon as they change color to brown. Add some vinegar and sugar too as per your needs, and cook over low heat for over 40 minutes. Keep stirring it once in a while. After 40 to 50 minutes, you’d notice that it has changed its color.
That indicates that your shrimp paste is ready! You can use it in a recipe right away or also refrigerate it to use it later on. When refrigerated, it holds its taste for almost a year. However, you may notice a change in color over time.
- Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is another famous substitute for dried shrimp. It is also called “nam pla” and has a strong flavor to it. This is exactly why some people avoid adding it to their dishes. If you add too much fish sauce to your recipe, it may ruin your dish with its pungent flavor.
Dishes from Thai cuisine, in particular, contain fish sauce as a flavoring. When added in the right proportion, you may even fail to notice the difference between dried shrimps and fish sauce in a recipe.
So, make sure to add a low quantity of fish sauce to ensure a great taste of your dish. Like all other substitutes on our list, fish sauce is also available in the market and easy to make at home. If you want to make the fish sauce at home, here is how you can do it:
- The fish sauce could be made from many types of fish, but the most suitable type is anchovy. To get it in bulk, head out to a local grocery store, and you’d easily find it there. If it’s not available, you can use any small fish coated with salt for this purpose.
- It is important to note that most manufacturers rinse the fish before packing them. However, you may need to wash them if it’s not. To find out whether it’s washed or not, read the instructions on the backside of its wrapper.
- Once you have washed it properly, add kosher salt by half the amount of fish. For example, if you have 5 lbs of fish, add 2.5 lbs of kosher salt more or less. Consider adding less amount if you don’t like salty foods. Make sure to mix it all up using your hands or a spatula.
- Now transfer the fish into a jar. When it’s half-filled with fish, add a few chunks of pineapple to give it a sweet taste. After that, add the rest of the fish and then top it all with a thick layer of salt, so it doesn’t stink. You can store it at room temperature for as long as one year.
To increase the lifespan of your fish sauce, make sure to close it with a tight-fitting lid when not in use.
- Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the last substitute for dried shrimps on our list. If the other substitutes are not available, the good news for you is that it’s readily available worldwide. Though, it is better to go for a well-known brand. This ensures the excellent taste and quality of your sauce.
While soy sauce substitutes for fish sauce rather than dried shrimp, it is more suitable to use because of its light flavor. You can even combine it with several other seasonings to further enhance its taste. As for the ratio of soy sauce against dried shrimps, it all depends on your liking.
If you like extra flavors, consider adding a relatively more quantity. Its taste is also quite strong, which is why we recommend adding a lesser amount to your recipe. As mentioned earlier, the substitutes may not taste the same as dried shrimps.
However, they are your last bet if dried shrimps are not available. You can add soy sauce to the gravy and make a number of other sauces using it. As far as its shelf-life is concerned, soy sauce can last up to six months at room temperature.
To keep it fresh, consider keeping it in a refrigerator.
