How Long Does Uncooked Shrimp Last In The Fridge?

How long does uncooked shrimp last in the fridge?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does uncooked shrimp last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of uncooked shrimp in different mediums. Moreover, we are going to discuss the different ways to tell if your shrimp has gone bad and the health implications of eating a bad shrimp.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

How long does uncooked shrimp last in the fridge?

Uncooked shrimp can last in the fridge for approximately 1-2 days without any risk of microbial contamination on it as long as the safety standards are maintained. Shrimp belongs to the meat food group and is a highly perishable commodity. There is a great risk of bacterial contamination if this food item is not cooked and stored appropriately.

An important thing to keep in mind is that you should always read the labels for the best before or the expiry date of the shrimp and it is advised not to consume shrimp once it goes past the expiry date.

How long does cooked shrimp last in the fridge?

Cooked shrimp can last for up to 3 days in the fridge while kept in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag. Refrigeration slows down the bacterial growth but does not halt it completely therefore we do not recommend you to consume a refrigerated cooked shrimp that is more than 3 days old.

How long does uncooked shrimp last at room temperature?

Uncooked shrimp can last for as long as 2 hours at room temperature. A raw shrimp that has been left for more than 2 hours at room temperature should be discarded as there are greater chances of it to be bacteria-laden.

How long does uncooked shrimp last in the freezer?

Uncooked shrimp kept wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper inside an air-tight container in the freezer can last for up to 3-6 months.

How long does cooked shrimp last in the freezer?

Cooked shrimp can last for up to 4 months when kept in heavy-duty freezer containers in the freezer.

How long does uncooked shrimp last after being frozen and thawed?

If you are thawing your raw shrimp by keeping it in the refrigerator then you can cook them within 1-2 days but if you are directly thawing them in the microwave it is recommended to cook them immediately.

Other FAQs about Shrimp which you may be interested in.

How long can I keep shrimp in the fridge?

What is the optimum temperature to store uncooked shrimp?

You should always store uncooked shrimp at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store your uncooked shrimp at a lower temperature.

How to tell if the shrimp has gone bad?

You can tell whether or not your shrimp has gone bad by considering its appearance, texture, and smell.

Appearance

Fresh raw shrimp has a color ranging from white to shades of gray and light bluish tints covered by surface patterns of red, pink. If the color of the shrimp has become dull, it is discolored, or if dark spots are there on the surface of the shrimp then it is the indication that it has gone bad.

Smell

If your shrimp smells sour, acidic, or has a strong ammonia odor then it means that it has gone bad.

Texture

If you can feel something slimy while touching the shrimp then it means that the shrimp has gone bad and it is the best choice to discard it.

You should always remember one thing that rinsing the shrimp that has gone bad won’t help you as you won’t be able to get rid of the bacteria. Rather rinsing the bacteria-laden shrimp will put you at risk of cross-contamination as the bacteria will spread in the utensils, counter and other food items that will come in contact with the water from the shrimp that has gone bad.

What happens if you eat a shrimp that has gone bad?

Eating a shrimp that has gone bad can put you at the risk of many food-borne illnesses especially food poisoning. A shrimp that has gone bad can contain Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, or Bacillus, all of which are responsible for 90% of cases of food poisoning all around the world and are really pathogenic and virulent.

Eating a shrimp that has gone bad can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and severe food poisoning that can lead to hospitalization.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does uncooked shrimp last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of uncooked shrimp in different mediums. Moreover, we discussed the different ways to tell if your shrimp has gone bad and the health implications of eating a bad shrimp.