How Long does Shrimp Last in the Fridge?

One seafood that I can’t live without is shrimp. Shrimp is a protein-rich food that may promote weight loss and have anti-aging properties. I’m sure shrimp lovers everywhere concur with me.

Additionally, there are numerous methods for cooking shrimp. Shrimp can be broiled, baked, sautéed in a hot cast-iron skillet, or barbecued.

However, one thing you need to know before buying and cooking shrimp: is how long they keep in the refrigerator.

How Long does Shrimp Last in the Fridge?

Sadly, shrimp does not keep well in the refrigerator.

Raw shrimp only stays in the refrigerator for two to three days, shelled or not. Ensure your refrigerator is at or below 40°F to ensure that your shrimp lasts as long as possible.

Make sure to keep the shrimp on the lowest shelf and in the coldest part of the refrigerator.  Open shrimp should be wrapped in plastic wrap or put in an airtight container.

Place the shrimp on a big dish to prevent moisture from contaminating other meals or the fridge itself.

Cooked Shrimp Lasts Longer

The shelf life of cooked shrimp depends on how it is stored. The most efficient method is to use an airtight container. A freezer bag is also recommended for this purpose.

The best temperature for storing seafood is a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps to prevent bacteria from growing. If a food item is stored in a freezer, it should be kept in a sealed plastic bag with a layer of two to protect against leakage.

Using a resealable plastic bag is a good idea if you’re trying to preserve your shrimp. Using an airtight container will also help to keep it fresh longer.

When cooking your shrimp, you should use a thermometer to ensure it is prepared at the right temperature. This is important because bacteria thrive at a certain temperature. It’s important to avoid overcooking your shrimp because it will lose its flavor.

Thawing

Adding shrimp to your favorite dishes is a great way to add protein to your diet. But you must know how to thaw shrimp before adding it to a meal.

The best way to thaw shrimp is in the fridge. That way, it won’t start to spoil or get unsafe temperatures.

You can also thaw them in the freezer. This is less safe, though, as it can introduce food to dangerous temperatures. If you don’t want to do it in the freezer, try a defrost setting in your microwave. It will take about 30 seconds for a miniature shrimp and about a minute for a large one.

Another thawing method involves running water through the shrimp. This is a fast and easy way to thaw shrimp. You will need a colander.

How Long does Raw Shrimp Last in the Fridge?

In the refrigerator, raw shrimp keeps for one to two days. If you can’t boil the shrimp within two days, you can freeze the raw shrimp to extend its shelf life. There may be a “Finest-By” or “Use-By” date on some shrimp packaging, representing the packagers’ prediction of when the product will be at its best.

Shrimp may remain fresh for an additional two days after that date, but you should always check the texture and fragrance. It is preferable to discard the shrimp if it is slimy or offensively smelling of ammonia. Be sure to have a dish in mind when you purchase the crustacean because it has a limited shelf life in the fridge before it needs to be prepared (check out these healthy shrimp recipes for inspiration).

Shrimp can be frozen by spreading them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing them until firm (doing so prevents the shrimp from sticking together as they freeze). After that, transfer to a freezer-safe, sealed bag.

Although shrimp can be frozen for up to a year, it is best used within three months for the best flavor and texture. It’s important to name and date the bag to know when the contents were frozen.

How to Store Shrimp in the Fridge?

Throughout this post, we have underlined the importance of properly storing shrimp in the refrigerator. If not, they might spoil sooner than you anticipate. Because shrimp spoil quickly, there are several things to consider before chilling them.

Make careful to put the shrimp in the fridge within two hours for both raw and cooked shrimp.

Keep in mind that at room temperature, bacteria grow more quickly, and shrimp spoil more quickly. Therefore, if you want to put your shrimp in the fridge, do it before two hours have passed since otherwise, you risk keeping ruined food.

Maintaining a steady temperature is also crucial.

Your refrigerator should always be set to 40°F or less. Anything more than that will cause your shrimp to rot within a day.

It is advisable to keep your raw shrimp in the original container while storing them in the refrigerator. If possible, avoid attempting to remove the shrimp from their package.

In your refrigerator, put them on the lowest shelf. If there is a leak, this will assist in avoiding cross-contamination.

To preserve cooked shrimp, having an airtight bag or container would be beneficial.

Please place them in this bag or container as soon as your shrimp is cold enough to store safely.

Keep in mind that it shouldn’t last more than two hours at room temperature.

Then store the shrimp on the bottom shelf of your fridge, and your shrimp should be good for about four days.

How Long can Cooked Shrimp Stay in the Freezer?

Cooked shrimp can be stored in the freezer for six to nine months. Although you can legally store cooked shrimp for a meal in the freezer, it would seem odd to freeze a finished dish for so long.

This shelf life might make sense to reduce preparation time; some restaurants may partially cook shrimp. In the meanwhile, supermarket stores sell cooked shrimp in packages. These goods may be marketed as ready-to-eat shrimp that only require thawing before consumption. This shelf life might make sense if you just partially cooked the shrimp.

Why do Shrimps Go Bad?

Raw shrimp can only be stored at room temperature for two hours.

Since shrimp are aquatic species, they are accustomed to cold weather.

The primary cause of spoiling is bacteria that are accustomed to chilly temperatures.

The bacteria break down the shrimp’s protein components when exposed to warmer room temperatures. And rotting results from this.

However, you are here because you have probably heard that shrimp doesn’t keep well, even when refrigerated.

The same explanation as above applies to this. The shrimp does not spoil as soon as it would at room temperature since the refrigerator’s temperature is significantly lower than that of the surrounding environment.

This extends the amount of time you have to use your shrimp. However, how long you have before they become a problem is a current query.

How Long does Frozen Raw Shrimp Last?

Additionally, it’s advisable to freeze the raw shrimp to extend its shelf life. Moving items from the refrigerator to the freezer is preferable if you cannot prepare them within two days. You can cover the original packing with aluminum foil or a freezer bag to prevent freezer burns.

Raw shrimp can be frozen for three to six months without losing its freshness. After then, it will still be safe to eat, but it won’t be as tasty and juicy.

How do I Tell if my Shrimp has Gone Bad?

It’s crucial to store your shrimp properly. You wouldn’t want to discover the hard way that eating spoiled food is dangerous when you visit the doctor with food poisoning.

It’s fine to keep shrimp in the refrigerator, but you must know how to distinguish good shrimp from bad due to all the what-ifs and how quickly shrimp degrade.

A foul smell always accompanies shrimp that have been spoiled. They also have a slimy texture to them. Your senses are your best bet.

Your best course of action will be to discard the shrimp if you discover these in them despite keeping them in the refrigerator. If you even doubt that the shrimp is bad, don’t consume any of it.

Consume your shrimp as soon as it is safe because eating damaged food can lead to various health problems.

Reference: The impact of shrimp farming effluent on bacterial communities in mangrove waters, Ceará, Brazil

Rarely have the effects of shrimp farm effluents on the bacterial populations in mangroves been documented. Four mangrove systems’ bacterial populations were surveyed using traditional and molecular biology techniques. The following variables were examined: water temperature, salinity, pH, total heterotrophic bacteria, and maximum likely populations of Vibrio spp. Additionally, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of eubacterial and Vibrio 16S rDNA was used to assess the genetic profiles of bacterial populations (DGGE).

What should I do if I Want to Store my Shrimps Longer?

Two days may not be long enough for many individuals to use their shrimp. Therefore this is a crucial question. Do you need to run to the shop whenever you want to cook a shrimp dish if you own a seafood business or appreciate seafood dishes? That is not practical.

In this situation, you might require a method of keeping your shrimp for longer, and the solution could be found in your kitchen.

I’m referring to your freezer. Your raw shrimp will stay in top condition for three to six months if you store them in the freezer.

You won’t have to worry about the shrimp going bad even beyond this period. Your shrimp will be edible if the freezer is kept at a temperature of 28°F. When ready to utilize the shrimp, defrost it and make your delectable dish.

Most people worry that placing their shrimp in the freezer will alter the flavor. While these may be true for long-term storage, you may avoid this by storing your shrimp in a freezer-safe container.

Conclusion

Your health depends on knowing how long cooked shrimp lasts in the refrigerator. Additionally, you need to be aware that shrimp spoils quickly. However, cooking shrimp takes less time than other dishes and only takes a few minutes.

Always get fresh shrimp for cooking and store them correctly in a fridge or freezer for subsequent usage if you want the best shrimp experience.