How Long Does Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
Shrimp is popular and easy to cook, but its shelf life is pretty short. Here's everything you need to know.
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By Sheela Prakash for Food Network Kitchen
Sheela is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food and wine writer and registered dietician.
Like all fresh seafood, shrimp has a short shelf life. Sometimes, however, life happens and you can’t get to that raw or cooked shrimp in your refrigerator as soon as you'd like. Here, learn how long shrimp lasts in the fridge, how to tell if it’s spoiled and the best ways to store it so it stays fresh as long as possible.
How Long Does Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
Raw shrimp lasts 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. I
f you aren’t able to cook your raw shrimp within 2 days and it wasn't previously frozen, you can freeze the raw shrimp to extend its shelf life to up to 3 months. To learn more about how to freeze uncooked shrimp, check out our guide, Exactly How to Freeze Everything.
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
Cooked shrimp lasts for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
When reheating leftover shrimp, it’s best to use a low temperature to avoid the rubbery texture shrimp can get when overcooked. Alternatively, enjoy leftover cooked shrimp cold or at room temperature, depending on how it was prepared.
How to Tell if Shrimp Is Bad
The best way to tell if raw shrimp is bad is to smell it and take a close look. If raw shrimp has a sour, ammonia-like smell, its coloring is dull and/or it looks slimy, it's gone bad and needs to be tossed.
If cooked shrimp has gone bad, it will also have a sour, ammonia-like smell and/or slimy texture. In that case, it should be thrown away.
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How to Store Raw Shrimp
Store raw shrimp in the coldest part of your refrigerator, which is typically the bottom shelves. If you have raw shrimp in a plastic bag, keep the bag open and set it over a bowl of ice. Lay a damp paper towel or dish towel over the top to allow the shrimp to breathe.
You can extend the shelf life of raw shrimp that hasn't previously been frozen by freezing it. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a parchment- or wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in your freezer until the shrimp are frozen solid, and then remove the sheet from the oven and transfer the shrimp to an airtight container or freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Store Cooked Shrimp
Cooked shrimp should be refrigerated within 2 hours of being cooked. It's best to store it in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, which is usually on the bottom shelves.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
There are two simple ways to thaw frozen shrimp:
Overnight: The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is by transferring them to a colander set over a bowl, covering it with a damp paper towel or dish towel, and placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
In Cold Water: You can quickly thaw frozen shrimp by putting them in a tightly sealed plastic bag and placing the bag in a bowl of cold water. They will thaw in 15 to 20 minutes.
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