How long shrimp lasts, how to thaw it, and how to tell it's bad
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 1-3 days
Store raw shrimp in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below if you'll use it within 2 days after buying it.
Watch out Never leave shrimp out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Freezer
Keeps for 6-18 months
Wrap shrimp tightly in plastic, foil, or moisture-proof paper and freeze it if you won't use it within 2 days.
Watch out Shrimp kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, so the freezer time is for quality.
Cooked shrimp lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and raw shrimp lasts 1 to 3 days. Frozen shrimp is best within 6 to 18 months. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the refrigerator, and don't eat shrimp that smells sour, rancid, fishy, or like ammonia.
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Cooked shrimp lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and raw shrimp lasts 1 to 3 days. In the freezer, shrimp is best within 6 to 18 months.
This guide covers how to store raw, cooked, and frozen shrimp, how to thaw it, and the smells that mean it has gone bad.
How long does shrimp last?
Raw shrimp lasts 1 to 3 days in the refrigerator and 6 to 18 months in the freezer, and cooked shrimp lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Those are the times from USDA FoodKeeper. Freezer times are for quality.
| Shrimp | Where | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Raw | Fridge | 1 to 3 days |
| Raw | Freezer | 6 to 18 months |
| Cooked | Fridge | 3 to 4 days |
| Shrimp salad | Fridge | 3 to 4 days |
| Shrimp salad | Freezer | Not recommended |
How long is cooked shrimp good for in the fridge?
Cooked shrimp is good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and that time is for storage after cooking. Refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), and keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
How long does raw shrimp last in the fridge?
Raw shrimp lasts 1 to 3 days in the refrigerator from the day you buy it. If you’ll use it within 2 days after buying it, store it in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and check the temperature with a refrigerator thermometer. Otherwise, freeze it.
How long does shrimp salad last?
Shrimp salad lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and freezing it isn’t recommended. The same time applies to other seafood salads, such as tuna salad and salmon salad.
How to store shrimp
Store shrimp in the refrigerator if you’ll cook it within 2 days after buying it, and freeze it otherwise. Put it on ice or in the refrigerator or freezer soon after you buy it.
How to store shrimp in the freezer
Freeze shrimp wrapped tightly in plastic, foil, or moisture-proof paper, and it’s best within 6 to 18 months.
USDA FoodKeeper has a second shellfish listing for shrimp that gives 12 to 18 months. Shrimp kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, so those times are for quality. Keep frozen shrimp frozen, and cook it as directed.
What to check when you buy shrimp
Check that the shrimp is refrigerated or displayed on a thick bed of fresh ice before you buy it. The FDA explains this in its guide to selecting and serving seafood safely.
For frozen shrimp, don’t buy a package that is open, torn, or crushed on the edges. Avoid packages with frost or ice crystals, which may mean the shrimp was stored a long time or thawed and refrozen, and choose shrimp that is hard, not bendable.
How to thaw shrimp
Thaw frozen shrimp gradually by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. Use the quicker methods below only when you have to thaw shrimp fast.
How to thaw shrimp quickly
If you have to thaw shrimp quickly, use cold water or the microwave.
- For cold water, seal the shrimp in a plastic bag and immerse it in cold water.
- For the microwave, use the defrost setting only if you’ll cook the shrimp immediately afterward, and stop the defrost cycle while the shrimp is still icy but pliable.
Can you refreeze shrimp?
Yes, you can refreeze shrimp that you thawed in the refrigerator, and you don’t have to cook it first. After thawing there, shrimp stays good for another day or two before cooking.
How to reheat shrimp
Reheat cooked shrimp to 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer. Cover it while it heats, which keeps in moisture and helps it heat all the way through.
Cooked shrimp keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, so reheat it within that time.
For the microwave, follow the USDA’s steps for reheating leftovers. The moist heat from a covered dish helps destroy harmful bacteria and cooks the food evenly.
- Arrange the shrimp evenly in a covered, microwave-safe glass or ceramic dish.
- Add some liquid if needed.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and vent it to let the steam escape.
- Rotate the food while it heats, since microwaves have cold spots.
- Check the temperature in several places with a food thermometer, and let the shrimp rest before you take the final reading.
- Make sure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
How to tell if shrimp is bad
Bad shrimp smells sour, rancid, fishy, or like ammonia, and these odors become stronger after cooking. Fresh shrimp flesh, by contrast, is clear with a pearl-like color and little or no odor.
If you smell a sour, rancid, or fishy odor in raw or cooked shrimp, don’t eat it. Don’t eat cooked shrimp with an ammonia odor either, even if the odor is fleeting.
Frequently asked questions
How long can shrimp sit out?
Shrimp can sit out of the refrigerator for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). That limit applies to seafood and other perishable food.
Does cooking get rid of a bad smell in shrimp?
No, cooking makes the odors of spoiled seafood stronger. If cooked shrimp smells sour, rancid, fishy, or like ammonia, don't eat it.
Is shrimp still safe after 18 months in the freezer?
Yes, shrimp kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe. Only quality suffers with long freezer storage, which is why freezer times are for quality.
Is freezer-burned shrimp safe to eat?
Yes, freezer burn doesn't make food unsafe, only dry in spots. It shows up as grayish-brown leathery spots where air reached the surface, and you can cut those parts away before or after cooking.
How do you know when shrimp is cooked?
Shrimp is done when its flesh becomes firm, pearly, and opaque. Most seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured with a food thermometer.
Can you reheat shrimp?
Yes, reheat cooked shrimp to 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer, and cover it so it keeps its moisture. Do it within the 3 to 4 days cooked shrimp keeps in the refrigerator.
How long does shrimp cocktail last in the fridge?
Cooked shrimp keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, so eat shrimp cocktail within that time. Keep it at 40°F (4°C) or below, and don't leave it out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
