Seafood wouldn’t be complete without shrimp! Shrimp is light, tasty, and blends well with many sauces. Just imagine a yummy, buttery sauce with sauteed garlic and shrimp. Simple yet incredible. You can also add it to gumbo, curries, or even deep fry it to crispy perfection.
Shrimp is also great on its own or dipped into sauces. Cocktail and tartar sauce make excellent accompaniments when serving shrimp as a light appetizer.
If you didn’t skimp on the shrimp, then you might even have some leftovers! The good news is you can put cooked shrimp in the fridge. But how long does cooked shrimp last in the fridge?
You can find the answers here! If you are wondering how long does shrimp last in the fridge and how long is leftover shrimp good for, read on. You will find all the information you need to know about handling cooked shrimp and keeping it fresh.
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
So how long can you keep cooked shrimp in the fridge? Cooked shrimp can stay in the fridge safely for three to four days.
Because shrimp is seafood and has already been cooked, it is not recommended to eat it after this period due to two reasons. It may lose flavor and consistency, and not be as appetizing after a few days. Second, the longer the fish stays in the fridge, the higher the chances of it growing harmful bacteria.
If you’re asking can you eat cooked shrimp after 5 days? You should know that while it may be fine in some cases, it is not advisable overall. Fridges slow down harmful bacteria growth, but they cannot stop it altogether. It is safe to consume cooked shrimp for up to four days, but I would not recommend it after.
How to Store Cooked Shrimp in the Fridge
To ensure shrimp keeps fresh and safe as long as possible in the fridge, follow these instructions on how to store cooked shrimp:
- Let the shrimp cool to room temperature.
- Place the shrimp in an airtight bag or container. You may also wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Make sure there are no holes and air pockets.
- Label the date to record when it was stored.
- Place in the back of the fridge to maintain a consistently cold temperature.
How long is cooked does cooked shrimp last in the fridge? It lasts three to four days, so make sure to enjoy your leftovers while they’re still fresh!
How long does cooked shrimp last at room temperature?
How long can cooked shrimp stay out? This depends on the temperature and climate where you are cooking or eating the shrimp.
The general rule is 2 hours when left out in normal climates between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is called the danger zone. It is when bacteria have a higher chance of growing.
While it’s normal for food to have some bacteria, if too much is present, it can be hard for our bodies to fight them off. This could lead to food poisoning or a gut imbalance. Within that 2-hour time frame, it is less likely that bacteria can grow to these dangerous quantities.
How Long Does Raw Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
Raw shrimp can last in the fridge for 1-2 days. Seafood generally has a shorter shelf life than other animal products. This is a safe estimate to ensure your shrimp is fresh and safe to eat.
Seafood often does not last as long because it is delicate. It also has to travel before it reaches your grocery store, shortening the overall time it can stay safely in your fridge.
Sometimes, stores will have their own guidelines because they know where the seafood comes from and how long it will remain fresh. If your shrimp has a cook-by or best-by date on its label, you can follow those guidelines instead.
How to Store Raw Shrimp in the Fridge
Seafood, shrimp included, is particularly susceptible to contamination. Therefore, it’s important to store it correctly. Follow these instructions to store raw shrimp in the fridge:
- Wrap raw shrimp tightly in plastic wrap so that it is not exposed to air.
- Place in an airtight bag or container.
- Write the date on the packaging or a post-it to remember when it was stored.
- Put the bag or container in the coldest part of your fridge. This will usually be the back end of the fridge as it is less exposed to air when opening and closing the fridge throughout the day.
Raw shrimp can last one to two days in the fridge. It should be cooked and consumed within that time frame.
How long does frozen raw shrimp last?
You might be surprised to hear that frozen raw shrimp can last up to a year in the freezer! While it is safe to eat for this time frame, it is recommended to eat frozen shrimp within three months.
The shrimp will maintain their integrity in taste and texture for three months. It may not be harmful after that, but it may not taste as fresh or flavorful.
How to tell if shrimp is bad, rotten, or spoiled?
Nobody wants to eat rotten seafood! Like most food products, you can’t always tell if they have harmful pathogens. However, if the shrimp is bad, rotten, or spoiled, it is much more likely to cause a food-borne illness. It will also taste bad– another reason to avoid it altogether.
There are several ways to tell if shrimp has gone off.
- Changes in the shell. Look at the bodies of the shrimp. If the shells are separated from the flesh or have black marks, the shrimp may be spoiled. They should also be firm, not broken or glossy.
- Color. The shrimp should not be discolored. If they are raw, they should be a very light gray or white color and slightly transparent. If they are cooked, they should be a light pink or red color and opaque.
- Smell. Shrimp should not have a smell, or smell very slightly of saltwater or the ocean. If there is a strong or off-putting smell, the shrimp could be bad.
- Defects in the bag. When buying shrimp frozen, take note of the bag. If there are any tears, it’s probably best to avoid that bag. Freezer burn is another thing to note. While it won’t harm you, it may signify the food has been thawed and refrozen, making it less fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you eat cooked shrimp after 5 days?
It is not recommended to eat cooked shrimp after five days. The safe range to store cooked shrimp in the fridge is three to four days.
The seafood may lose its taste and texture after this point. The more time has passed, the less fresh it will be. It is also discouraged because the longer you wait, the higher likelihood there will be harmful bacteria growth.
If you insist on eating your shrimp after five days, please make sure it was kept in an airtight container and cold. Inspect it for any signs of spoilage including smell, appearance, or taste.
Is cooked shrimp still good after 4 days?
So how long is cooked shrimp good for? Up to four days in the fridge. If it’s day four, you are in luck! Your shrimp is most likely safe and fresh to consume. However, I would still look for any signs of spoilage mentioned above.
How long is leftover shrimp good for in the fridge?
Let’s say you haven’t gotten around to eating those leftovers just quite yet. You may be wondering how long can cooked shrimp stay in the fridge? The answer is three to four days. This is the general time frame considered safe to store your cooked shrimp in the fridge.
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last?
Easy is in this recipe title for a reason! Shrimp is a fast-cooking dish and absorbs flavors easily. It pairs excellently with garlic, lemon, and butter— making it a simple but decadent choice for a meal. This is the perfect dish to whip up when you are short on time, but not on flavor!
Ingredients
- 11/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound shrimp (shelled)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons water
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Parsley
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Place shrimp, garlic, and lemon slices in the pan.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes and salt to taste.
- Cook until the shrimp is pink, stirring and flipping the shrimp throughout. About 6 minutes total.
- Take off the heat. Add the rest of the butter, lemon juice, and water.
- Sprinkle parsley on as a garnish.
Now, you know how long is shrimp good for in the fridge! So no worries if you didn’t manage to eat it all in one sitting. You can store it safely for up to four days in the fridge.
So if you’re hungry for seconds, throw that shrimp back on the barbie! Or the stovetop if you prefer. However you cook it, you’ll be sure to enjoy it again.
