Quick Answer: How Long Does Raw And Cooked Shrimp Last?
Whether you’re working with raw or cooked shrimp, ensuring you are implementing optimal storage practices is crucial for extending the shelf life and preventing your food from going bad. Learn, how long does shrimps last! When it comes to raw shrimp, you can store it in the fridge for up to 1-2 days or in the freezer for up to a year. Cooked shrimp, on the other hand, can last in the fridge for up to 4 days but, when stored in the freezer, should also be consumed within a year. In the case of both raw and cooked shrimp, they will be okay after a year in the freezer but will start to lose their flavor and taste after 3-6 months. In addition, they will both only last 2 hours at room temperature.
When you’re in the mood for a little seafood, you can never go wrong with shrimp.
Shrimp is a classic ocean-inspired dish that never disappoints. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer with your favorite shrimp cocktail sauce or are incorporating it into a main dish such as pasta, shrimp will always be a crowd-pleaser.
Now, in a chaotic world, it’s never a bad idea to plan ahead- especially when it comes to meal prep.
If you’re trying to get ahead and have a shrimp dish in mind, it’s important to be aware of not only how to prepare it but also proper storage practices.
Being knowledgeable of how to optimally store food is critical for extending shelf life for as long as possible- and we’re not just talking about raw shrimp.
When it comes to storage, there are also a variety of tips and tricks you should follow once the shrimp is cooked.
When your shrimp is raw, it can be stored in either the fridge or freezer. The same goes for when this seafood is cooked, however, the length of time it can be stored is slightly longer.
In either state, shrimp should never be stored at room temperature for long periods of time as bacteria will develop and consuming it could result in food-borne illnesses.
For detailed instructions on how to properly store both raw and cooked shrimp, make sure to check out the following sections.
Because shrimp is too good to let it go to waste!
How Long Does Raw Shrimp Last In The Fridge?
If you’ve just brought your shrimp home from the grocery store and are looking to eat it in the near future, your best bet is to store your shrimp in the fridge.
Keeping your shellfish in the fridge at the right temperature is critical for preventing bacteria from developing, so make sure to read the following table carefully to avoid this.
| Method | Storage Instructions |
| In The Fridge | When you purchase shrimp from the store, it will likely already come in its own packaging. In this case, place your shrimp on the bottom shelf of the fridge in this packaging. Do not open the packaging until you are ready to use the shrimp (this will make it go bad faster). If possible, try and store the shrimp away from other foods. This is advisable as liquid may leak from the packaging of the shrimp, resulting in it spreading to other foods and possibly causing cross contamination. Store the shrimp at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This is the optimal temperature for preventing shellfish from developing bacteria. You can store your shrimp in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. This timeframe will provide you with the most fresh shrimp. In most cases, you can store your raw shrimp in the fridge for up to 3-6 days without it being spoiled. NOTE: if for whatever reason, you no longer have the original packaging, you can also store the shrimp in an airtight container or ziploc bag. |
How Long Does Raw Shrimp Last In The Freezer?
Freezing food is a great option for cases when you want to extend the shelf life for longer periods of time.
If you’ve purchased shrimp and are wanting to consume it several months in the future, you should definitely freeze it.
Like in the fridge, freezing raw shrimp requires specific steps.
For more details, take a look at the following table
| Method | Storage Instructions |
| In The Freezer | If you aren’t planning on consuming your shrimp within 2 days, your best bet is to store it in the freezer. To complete this, follow these steps: Retrieve a baking sheet Place the raw shrimp on the baking sheet in a single file (so that they are not touching each other)Place the shrimp in the freezer and leave them there until they are completely frozen (this step helps to prevent the shrimp from sticking together)Remove the shrimp from the freezerTransfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe bag (ensure it is airtight so that your shrimp doesn’t get freezer burns)Store in the freezer for up to one year (although it will still be good within this timeframe, after about three months, the flavor and texture will start to diminish) This storage process can be completed for shrimp both with and without the shell. However, for the best quality, remove the heads. A good tip to keep in mind when storing your food in the freezer is to always put the date on the bag/container to always know how long your shrimp has been in the freezer for. Once you thaw your shrimp, it can be kept in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. |
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last In The Fridge?
When you’ve got leftovers, the last thing you want to do is throw them out (especially when they involve delicious and juicy pieces of shrimp).
When it comes to storing cooked shrimp, like raw shrimp, if you are planning on eating it within a few days, the fridge should be your go-to.
Cooked shrimp lasts a bit longer than raw shrimp in the fridge, but in terms of steps, the storage process is pretty similar and just as simple.
Here’s what you need to know
| Method | Storage Instructions |
| In The Fridge | Storing your shrimp in the fridge is simple: After cooking it, ensure your shrimp has reached room temperature Place the shrimp in an airtight container or ziploc bagSet it in the fridge at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less This ensures the shrimp stays safe and doesn’t develop bacteria Allow the shrimp to be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge Reheating cooked shrimp: the best way to reheat your cooked shrimp after it has been in the fridge is by using the same method that was utilized the first time you cooked it. It is also advisable that you reheat it at a low temperature, as shrimp can overcook quickly and become rubbery. Add a little water or oil for added moisture. |
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last In The Freezer?
If you’ve got leftover shrimp that you would like to eat at a later date, freezing it will extend its shell-f life for longer (hehe).
Although you can technically simply throw your shrimp in a bag or container, put it in the freezer and call it a day, there’s an even better method that will help preserve the shellfish even better.
Here’s how to do it
| Method | Storage Instructions |
| In The Freezer | If you aren’t planning on consuming your cooked shrimp within 4 days, your best bet is to store it in the freezer. To complete this, follow these steps: Retrieve a baking sheet Separate the meat of the shrimp from the shellsDiscard the shells Place the cooked meat on the baking sheet in a single file (so that they are not touching each other)Place the shrimp in the freezer in the coldest area and leave them there until they are firm to the touch (this step helps to prevent the shrimp from sticking together)Remove the shrimp from the freezerTransfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe bag (ensure it is airtight so that your shrimp doesn’t get freezer burns), or wrap it in foil and store it in an airtight containerStore in the freezer for up to one year (although it will still be good within this timeframe, after about six months, the flavor and texture will start to diminish) As mentioned, if desired, you can also simply place the shrimp in either a container or bag as is (with the shells), however, the texture and flavor won’t be as good. A good tip to keep in mind when storing your food in the freezer is to always put the date on the bag/container to always know how long your shrimp has been in the freezer for. Thaw your frozen cooked shrimp by leaving it in the fridge overnight. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Shrimp Be Stored At Room Temperature?
When it comes to storing shrimp, both raw and cooked, you should never leave it out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. This length of time may be even less if the environment exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The reason for this is that once shrimp is left out in warmer climates for extended periods of time, it is more prone to developing bacteria and can cause food-borne illnesses if consumed.
Instead, store your shrimp in either the fridge or freezer in either an airtight container or bag.
How Do You Know When Shrimp Has Gone Bad?
We all do our best to eat up what’s left in the fridge on time but allowing food to go bad unnoticed happens to everyone.
If you open your fridge and find yourself faced with potentially spoiled shrimp, there are three main indicators that will allow you to know for certain.
- Smell: One of the most obvious indicators of spoiled food is smell. When it comes to raw fish, you will know it’s past its prime when it smells overly fishy or possesses the scent of ammonia. In terms of cooked shrimp, the odor will be overly unpleasant and sour.
- Color: Shrimp that is raw and in their natural state will be a light gray or whitish hue and will look somewhat transparent in color. In the event that they look faded or otherwise off at all, it is likely that they are going bad or have already gone bad.
- In addition, the shrimp you purchase from the market should not be eaten if the shells appear to be detached from the body or if they have black spots on them.
- Shrimp that has been cooked will be an opaque whitish color with a few flecks of pink and red. If it looks faded, gray, or moldy it needs to be tossed.
- Texture: When it comes to both cooked and raw shrimp, there are two indicators of spoilage that come from the texture.
- First, if the shrimp appears to have a slimy exterior, it has definitely gone bad and should not be eaten.
- Second, if the shell is broken or looks off in any way, your shrimp is likely spoiled.
What Will Happen If You Eat Shrimp That Has Gone Bad?
Shellfish are highly susceptible to going bad quickly, so it’s important to check for any of the indications previously mentioned to avoid contracting any illnesses.
In the event that you have consumed spoiled shrimp, you may get food poisoning and experience one of the following symptoms:
- Cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Blood in the stool
- Fever
If you have ingested large amounts of mold, the effects could be even worse and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Can You Eat Raw Shrimp?
No, it is unsafe to eat raw shrimp and doing this will likely make you sick as heat is required to kill off bacteria.
How Do I Reheat Frozen Shrimp?
The best way to reheat frozen cooked shrimp is by first thawing it and then steaming it. However, reheating it in the microwave or pan would also work.
What’s important to keep in mind is that you reheat the shrimp at a low temperature, as it is prone to overcooking quickly.
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
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