How long does thawed shrimp last in the fridge? (+3 Tips)
Did you know that fresh shrimp can last for two weeks or even longer before going bad? I bet you didn’t know that – because you’ve probably never seen a whole thawed shrimp!
Ever wondered why you don’t see them at supermarkets anymore? Well, they’re not dead after all. That’s right, thawed shrimp can last for months in the fridge without spoiling. But there are some things to consider before buying a frozen seafood product. This post explains what happens during thawing and how long thawed shrimp should last inside the fridge.
There are four main types of freezing techniques: flash freezing, slow cooling, quick cooling and immersion freezing. Each technique has its pros and cons, so you’ll want to choose wisely. For instance, if you’re using the slow cooling method, there’s no risk of ice crystals forming within the food.

How long does thawed shrimp last in the fridge?
Thawing frozen shrimp is easy enough but what happens if you put it straight into the fridge? Frozen shrimp generally stays good for about 4 days after being thawed and refrigerated. But the longer they stay in the fridge, the better they get. So even if you only want to store them for a day or two, you shouldn’t throw away any uneaten shrimp. Put them in a bowl and freeze them again for another meal. Even though freezing kills bacteria, shrimp still gets slimy and bad tasting when stored in the cold. Thawing and refreezing helps cleanse and refresh the taste of frozen shrimp. To avoid shrimp from getting limp or dry, add ice cubes to the freezer and leave them in until they’re completely melted. This way you won’t have to worry about losing flavour.
How long can cooked shrimp be refrigerated?
Shrimp cooks fast and needs to be eaten soon after cooking. To retain its flavour, shrimp should be cooled and stored quickly in the refrigerator. Refrigerating shrimp keeps it fresh longer. Shrimp can last up to 1 day if properly stored. It is recommended to store unopened packages of cooked shrimp in the coldest part of the refrigerator for maximum freshness. Once shrimp has been opened, keep it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Shrimp usually needs no more than two days of refrigeration after being cooked. After cooking, they lose moisture from their shells and the meat becomes translucent. Shrimp can easily go bad if left at room temp for a long period of time; therefore, it is important to store them in the refrigerator right away. When you get ready to serve them, remove the shells and devein them thoroughly (if desired). Refrigerating shrimp enhances their flavour and keeps them fresh for up to seven days.
How long can frozen shrimp last?
Shrimp freezes well, but not indefinitely. Shrimp needs refrigeration after freezing. It will last about 3 weeks if frozen and stored properly.
How to freeze shrimp?
To freeze shrimp, place them in a freezer bag or container and squeeze out any air. Shrimp freezes very well if frozen within 24 hours but can spoil faster if stored longer. Freeze them for 3 days maximum and store the frozen shrimp in a sealed container. When thawed, the shrimp should still remain flexible. To remove the shells, cut the shrimp lengthwise down the back and peel off the shell.
Freezing cooked shrimp
- Shells can be removed from cooked shrimp before freezing. Before freezing cooked shrimp, remove the tail, shell, and head. The large vein on top of the shrimp may also need to be removed before freezing. However, if you want to, you can. Don’t keep the shrimp out on your counter for more than two hours.
- Put plenty of water into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Add the cooked shrimp and simmer it for 10 minutes. It’s important to remove any residual bacteria and stray shell fragments.
- Store the boiled shrimp in airtight containers. If you want to freeze them, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze them for at least 2 hours. Shrimp should be frozen within 1–2 days of purchase to avoid spoilage.
- Transfer the frozen shrimp to a freezer bag. Squeeze out any air from the bag and write down the date on which you froze it.
Freezing raw shrimp
- Do not remove the shells and veins from the shrimp but cut them off before freezing them. You can do this by hand or using a sharp knife. Raw shrimp should not stay on the counter longer than two hours to avoid spoiling.
- Wash and rinse the shrimp thoroughly. After washing, the moisture remaining on the surface of shrimp forms an ice glaze if frozen. It preserves the shrimp.
- Put the shrimp shells into a solid container like a yoghurt box or a Tupperware container. Put them tightly inside the container so they don’t get any air.
- Add two tablespoons of salt per one quart of water. You can buy brine from the seafood specialty shops too. Put the brine into the containers to submerge the shrimp. Leave a few centimetres of space at the top.
How to defrost frozen shrimp?
Defrosting frozen shrimp is not difficult, but it does take patience because the process is slow. Shrimp needs to be thawed slowly, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. To thaw frozen shrimp, place the package in cold water and let it stand for 30 minutes. Then drain and rinse the shrimp under cool running water. If you are using shrimp from the freezer bag, cut off the air pocket around the shrimp and put the bag into a bowl filled with ice cubes. Let sit for two hours. After 2 hours, remove the shrimp from the ice bath and pat dry with paper towels. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
How to tell If the shrimp has gone bad?
Shrimp goes bad quickly and easily because they are packed with protein. When shrimps go bad, the colour changes from white to dark grey or black. The texture becomes grainy and the smell turns putrid. To avoid getting sick from eating rotten shrimp, always check your shrimps before buying.
How to cook with shrimps?

Shrimp is a very popular food in India and other Asian countries. The taste of shrimp varies from country to country depending on the season of the year and availability of local delicacies. Shrimp are usually eaten raw but cooked well done dishes are also available. Shrimps are generally served with spicy sauces, Indian curries or chutneys. In Thai cuisine shrimps go with fish sauce and chilli peppers while in Chinese cuisine they go well with soy sauce. Fresh shrimps are available during the summer months throughout the world. Shrimps are a good source of protein which reduces cholesterol levels.
How to store shrimp in the fridge
Shrimp is a seafood that tastes better if cooked right away. To help preserve shrimp from spoiling, store shrimp in the fridge. However, shrimp does not stay fresh longer when refrigerated. So, to prevent shrimp from spoiling, put them in a bowl and cover with ice to chill them quickly. Once chilled, transfer the shrimp to a sealed container such as a resealable bag. This will help to keep the shrimp fresh for up to five days. As long as shrimp remains in the refrigerator in a closed container, it will remain safe from bacteria growth. But, even though shrimp stays safe in a sealed container, it still loses quality after two weeks. Therefore, you should always check shrimp before serving. If you see any signs of spoilage, throw it out.
How to defrost frozen shrimp?
Defrosting frozen shrimp is very easy. Just place the frozen shrimp in a bowl filled with cold water. This will help thaw the shrimp faster. Once the shrimp is completely thawed, drain the water from the bowl and pat dry with paper towels. Shrimp needs to be cooked immediately after being thawed. It is important to remember that if you leave raw shrimp in the refrigerator overnight, it will become slimy and smell bad.
Freezing raw shrimp
Shrimp is a popular seafood item. It is usually served either cooked or uncooked. Shrimp is available frozen in many markets. Frozen shrimp is easy to handle and store. However, if you freeze raw shrimp, it will lose its flavor. To preserve the taste of the shrimp, you can thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Then, rinse the shrimp under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Next, place the shrimp in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, drain the shrimp well and pat dry again with paper towels. Place the shrimp in freezer bags and freeze until ready to use.
How long does thawed shrimp last in the fridge?
Shrimp is a delicate seafood that needs to be stored properly. Shrimp should never be frozen because freezing damages the texture and flavor of the shrimp. It is recommended that you store shrimp in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days after purchasing.
Other FAQs about Shrimp which you may be interested in.
Shrimp is a popular seafood item around the world. It is generally eaten raw or cooked. In many countries, shrimp is served fried, grilled, barbecued, or baked. Shrimp is usually sold live or frozen. Fresh shrimp is available year round, but frozen shrimp is available throughout the year. Frozen shrimp is cheaper than fresh shrimp. Shrimp is a member of the crustacean family. Shrimp are classified into two groups: true shrimp and false shrimp. True shrimp are found only in saltwater. False shrimp are found in freshwater. Shrimp are harvested from the wild and farmed. Shrimp are caught using traps, nets, and harpoons. Shrimp are also bred in hatcheries. Shrimp are fed fish meal and vegetable oils. Shrimp are raised in ponds, tanks, and raceways. Shrimp are transported in ice boxes. Shrimp are marketed fresh, frozen, canned, smoked, dried, pickled, salted, and brined. Shrimp are used in salads, soups, casseroles, stews, stir-fries, curries, pasta dishes, omelets, sandwiches, and other recipes.
The shelf-life of shrimp
Shrimp is usually sold live and frozen. Live shrimp are shipped from the ocean to the store alive and ready to eat. Frozen shrimp are already dead and have been flash frozen. Both types of shrimp are safe to consume but if you buy live shrimp you should only cook them within two days of purchasing them. This is because live shrimp are very fragile and should not be cooked for longer than 24 hours. If you freeze shrimp, you can safely keep them for up to six months.
How to tell If the shrimp has gone bad?
Shrimp is a very perishable seafood product. It is important to know how to identify if the shrimp has gone bad. Shrimp is usually sold live and frozen. Live shrimp are bright orange in color and have a firm texture. Frozen shrimp are white in color and have a soft texture. To determine if the shrimp has gone rotten, you should smell it. If it smells fishy, it is not safe to eat.
How to freeze shrimp?
Shrimp freezes well if you follow these steps: 1) Wash the shrimp 2) Remove the shell 3) Freeze the shrimp 4) Package the frozen shrimp 5) Store in freezer 6) Thaw the shrimp 7) Serve.
Freezing cooked shrimp
Shrimp is a very versatile seafood. It can be served raw, grilled, sauteed, baked, stir fried, poached, or even used as an ingredient in other dishes. Shrimp is available year round and can be found frozen, canned, or dried. Frozen shrimp is usually sold already peeled and deveined. Canned shrimp is packed in brine and is ready to eat. Dried shrimp is not only convenient but is also economical. Freshly caught shrimp is expensive because it requires time to thaw and cook. Frozen shrimp is cheaper than fresh shrimp and it does not spoil quickly.
How to cook with shrimps?
Shrimp is a type of crustacean found in the ocean. It is usually cooked in saltwater. Shrimp is very versatile and can be used in many different ways. Shrimp can be eaten raw, grilled, fried, sauteed, baked, or even barbecued. Shrimp is also a great source of protein.
What color should raw shrimp be?
Shrimp looks like a tiny white crab. It has a hard shell and a tail. Shrimps are usually sold live and frozen. Frozen shrimps are not alive. They are dead and have been frozen to preserve them.
What do bad shrimp look like?
Shrimp is a popular seafood item that is eaten worldwide. Shrimps are usually sold live but sometimes dead. Live shrimps are bright red in color while dead shrimps are white in color.
How do you know if shrimp went bad?
Shrimp goes bad quickly after being harvested from the ocean. Shrimp is very perishable and spoils easily. It is important to store shrimp properly to avoid spoilage. Here are some tips to help you determine whether shrimp is still good: 1) Check the smell. Freshly caught shrimp should have a strong odor. If the shrimp smells fishy, it probably isn’t safe to eat. 2) Look for signs of decay. A rotten shrimp will have a slimy appearance and feel soft.
Is it normal for shrimp to have black spots?
Shrimp looks like it has been dead for quite a while. It turns from pinkish white to grayish black. Shrimp smells fishy and tastes awful.
What does shrimp look like when it goes bad?
Shrimp should always be cooked until opaque. This is because if it is not cooked properly, it could potentially carry bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Shrimp should be cooked thoroughly, but not overdone. Overcooked shrimp will lose its flavor and texture.
What color does bad shrimp look like?
Shrimp are usually sold either live or frozen. Live shrimp are generally smaller than frozen shrimp. Shrimp are harvested from the ocean and are not farm raised. They are typically eaten raw or cooked. In order to get rid of any parasites, shrimp are treated with chemicals such as iodine and copper sulfate. These treatments can leave black spots on the shrimp. This is why shrimp are sometimes called “blackened”.
What does shrimp look like when it’s bad?
Shrimp are usually sold live, but if they are dead, they will not move around in the bag. They will also be pale and opaque. Shrimp that are alive and moving around in the bag will be bright red and translucent.