My family and I enjoy having shrimp at home, whether it’s grilled or cooked in a pasta dish. However, I not only focus on cooking the best-tasting food I can. I know I need to be aware of food safety. One of the questions I need to know the answer to is how long does shrimp last in the fridge.
Of course, the answer is that it depends on whether I’m talking about raw or cooked. If I have a bag of raw shrimp that isn’t frozen, I need to cook it or freeze it within two days of bringing it home. If I’ve cooked them and put the leftovers in my fridge, I need to eat those leftovers or freeze them within four days.
Food safety is one of the most important parts of cooking, whether it’s in the kitchen or outside on the grill or smoker. So let’s look at the length of time you can keep shrimp in the fridge, how to properly store it, and how to tell if it’s gone bad.
How Long Does Raw Shrimp Last In The Fridge
The USDA recommends your fresh shrimp should only hang out in the fridge for up to two days. That’s a lot less than most types of meat I cook, so I can’t base my predictions based on the same numbers as things like pork.
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last In The Fridge
If you got those shrimp cooked but you didn’t eat them all, you’ve got up to four days to eat them or they will spoil. You’ll get close to the full four days if you’ve stored them in an airtight container or a bag with all the air squeezed out. Air will always accelerate the spoiling process, so keeping them out of the open air is key to proper storage.
How To Tell If Your Shrimp Has Gone Bad
Despite your refrigerator running under 40°F, that doesn’t prevent bacteria growth that can cause your shrimp to go bad. That’s the joy of seafood! Regardless of what type of seafood it is, those creatures are used to living in mostly cold waters. That also means the bacteria inside those creatures are used to cold environments as well. So the bacteria in seafood reproduces faster than the bacteria in steak, meaning they lasts far less time in the fridge than steak.
You’ve tried to follow the directions, but sometimes you just aren’t quite sure. So how can you tell if shrimp is bad? It all comes down to your senses, and your sense of taste should be the very last sense you use if at all.
How Does It Look?
Fresh, raw shrimp is translucent or slightly gray or white. If they have discolored or even developed spots, throw them out.
Cooked shrimp develops a distinctive pinkish color. If that color has faded or grayed or if you have seen any signs of mold, throw it out.
The Smell
Shrimp doesn’t have much of a smell, just a slightly salty smell from the sea. If you smell ammonia, an overly fishy, sour, or spoiled smell, you should toss it without hesitation.
A Slimy Texture
Shrimp should have some moisture, but it shouldn’t ever feel slimy. If you grab one and it feels like it’s coated in a slimy film, that’s a sign of reproducing bacteria. It should be thrown away.
Remember, if you are at all concerned that shrimp have spoiled, throw them out. The potential for food poisoning is far worse than having to get more from the store. I always want to ensure that I’m keeping my family safe, and if that means having to buy more, that’s a small price to pay. At least in comparison to taking care of sick people, that is.
How Do You Store Shrimp So It Doesn’t Go Bad
How To Store Raw Shrimp
If I find a great deal on shrimp and still have an unopened bag, I’ll put it directly into the freezer in its original packaging. For extra protection, I may put it inside of a freezer bag as well. If I’ve opened it but not cooked everything, I’ll keep it in the original bag and then put it in a freezer bag to ensure I’m not exposing it to the air in my freezer.
How To Store Cooked Shrimp
I double-bag it in freezer bags, making sure to squeeze any air out of the bags. Otherwise, the shrimp will be susceptible to freezer burn. Once again, freezer burn isn’t going to spoil it, but it will affect the quality.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered how long shrimp lasts in the fridge, I’ve got you covered. Raw shrimp (thawed, of course) is good for only up to two days, while the cooked version can last up to four days in the fridge. If you aren’t cooking or eating it within those timeframes, make sure you properly freeze it for longevity!
What’s your favorite way to cook shrimp? Let us know in the comments!