Shrimp generally has a very short shelf life and will go bad quickly if not stored properly or stored for too long. Raw shrimp can last for a maximum of 2 days in the fridge, and that is only if you store it in an airtight container at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
Cooked shrimp(fried or boiled) lasts a day or two longer (3-4 days), but the most effective way to ensure your shrimp lasts longer is to freeze it.
In this guide, we’ll answer all your shrimp storage questions so you can keep your seafood fresh, safe, and delicious!
How Long Does Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
Shrimp is highly perishable and does not last more than 4 days in the fridge, except when it is frozen. Generally, raw shrimp lasts 2 days and cooked shrimp lasts slightly longer.
Here’s how long different types of shrimp last in the fridge:
Raw Shrimp: 1 to 2 days
Raw shrimp lasts about 1-2 days in the fridge if you store in an airtight container or its original packaging at 40°F (4°C) or below.
If you do not intend to cook the raw shrimp within 1-2 days, freeze it immediately to extend its shelf life.
To ensure your raw shrimp retains its freshness in the fridge, place it on a plate with ice, and loosely cover it with a plastic wrap
Cooked Shrimp: 3 to 4 days
- Cooked shrimp can last 3-4 days in the fridge if you keep it in a sealed container at temperatures below 40°F (4°C).
- The sealed container prevents it from drying out and absorbing fridge odors.
When reheating cooked shrimp, do not use a microwave, else it might dry out and take on a rubbery texture. Warm it up in a pan, oven, or air fryer.
Boiled Shrimp: 3 to 4 days
- Just like cooked shrimp, boiled shrimp can stay 3-4 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.
- To keep it tasting fresh, store it in the water it was boiled in, then drain before reheating.
Fried Shrimp: 3 to 4 days
- Fried shrimp can also last 3-4 days in the fridge, but it might lose its crispiness. However, it remains fresh to eat and still delicious.
- The best way to reheat fried shrimp is to use an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes for the best texture.
Can You Freeze Shrimp?
You can absolutely freeze your shrimp. In fact, freezing shrimp is the best way to keep it fresh longer. If stored properly, frozen shrimp retains its taste and texture for months depending on whether it is thawed or cooked.
- Raw Shrimp (Frozen): 3 to 6 months for the best quality
- Cooked Shrimp (Frozen): 2 to 3 months for the best quality
How to Freeze Shrimp the Right Way
To prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness of your fridge, follow these steps when freezing your shrimp:
✅ Use an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag to prevent moisture loss.
✅ Remove excess air before sealing. If using a freezer bag, press out as much air as possible.
✅ Label the bag with the freezing date so you know when to use it.
✅ For raw shrimp, peel and devein before freezing for easy meal prep later.
Can You Refreeze Shrimp?
It is possible to refreeze shrimp, but only if it was thawed properly in the fridge and has been kept cold. Refreezing shrimp may affect its texture, making it slightly mushy due to moisture loss.
If you need to refreeze, it’s better to cook the shrimp first, then freeze it cooked.
Follow these tips:
✅ If shrimp was thawed in the fridge and has been kept cold, it is safe to refreeze within 1–2 days.
❌ If shrimp was thawed in cold water or a microwave, do not refreeze it raw—you must cook it first before freezing again.
How Long Can Thawed Shrimp Stay in the Fridge?
If you’ve thawed shrimp and aren’t cooking it right away, it’s important to know that it can only last about 2-4 days depending on whether it is thawed raw shrimp or thawed cooked shrimp.
- Thawed Raw Shrimp (from frozen): 1 to 2 days in the fridge
- Thawed Cooked Shrimp (from frozen): 3 to 4 days in the fridge
Thawed Shrimp Storage Tips
✅ Always thaw shrimp in the fridge, never at room temperature.
✅ Do not refreeze raw shrimp after thawing unless it was thawed in the fridge.
✅ If shrimp was thawed using cold water or a microwave, cook it immediately—it cannot be safely stored in the fridge.
How to Tell if Shrimp is Bad
Before cooking shrimp, always check for signs of spoilage. Here’s how to tell if shrimp has gone bad:
- Freezer Burn: White or grayish dry spots on shrimp indicate freezer burn.
- Strong Odor: Bad shrimp smells sour, like ammonia, or overly fishy—this means it’s spoiled.
- Discoloration: If raw shrimp has black spots, faded colors, or turns opaque, it’s likely spoiled. If cooked shrimp has turned green or blue, don’t eat it!
- Slimy or Sticky Texture: If fresh shrimp is mushy or leaves a sticky film on your hands, it’s bad.
- Large Ice Crystals or Clumping: If shrimp is covered in large ice chunks or clumped together, it may have thawed and refrozen, which can lead to spoilage.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t take risks—throw the shrimp away!
How to Thaw Shrimp Properly (Without Ruining It!)
To keep shrimp fresh and avoid bacteria growth, use one of these safe thawing methods:
✅ Best Method: Thaw in the fridge overnight (8–12 hours). This keeps it at a safe temperature and prevents bacteria growth.
✅ Quick Method: Thaw in cold water (30–45 minutes). Place shrimp in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 15 minutes.
Avoid These Methods
- Microwave thawing—can make shrimp rubbery and unevenly cooked.
- Thawing at room temperature—leads to bacteria growth and increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Shrimp Fresh and Delicious!
Remember these tips when storing your shrimp in the fridge. They will help you store it properly and avoid spoilage:
- Store raw shrimp in the fridge for no more than 2 days.
- Cooked shrimp lasts 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Thawed shrimp lasts 1–2 days (raw) or 3–4 days (cooked).
- Freeze shrimp if you don’t plan to use it soon—raw shrimp lasts up to 6 months frozen!
- Check for bad smells, discoloration, or freezer burn before eating.
By following these simple storage and safety tips, you’ll always have fresh, delicious shrimp ready for your next meal.
What is the best Fridge to Store Your Shrimp?
To store your shrimp properly, you need a fridge that has sufficient space, can operate at adequate temperatures, and is energy efficient and cost effective.
Check out these commercial refrigerators from Wilprep's Kitchen which are designed to store your frozen shrimp, cooked shrimp and other delicate foods and items both at home and in a commercial setting.
1. Commercial Solid Door Reach-In Freezer 18.7 cu. ft. Capacity
This solid door refrigerator is designed for smaller kitchens, this solid reach-in refrigerator has a total capacity of 18.7 cu. ft, enough space to hold all your grapes, fruits vegetables and, desserts, and even frozen foods for your home or business.
- Adjustable temperature range of -11 to 14°F
- An auto defrost design to prevent frost or ice buildup.
- 5 adjustable shelves, with each capable of holding up to 88 lb.
- A smart door that automatically closes when opened to 90°
- A Cubigel compressor and copper evaporator for fast and even cooling
- Certified for safety and quality by ETL, ETL Sanitation, and DOE
2. 81'' Commercial Solid Door Reach-In Refrigerator 61 cu. ft. Capacity
This commercial reach-in refrigerator is perfect if your commercial kitchen deals in large amount of shrimp, and other perishable items like grapes, eggs, milk, vegetables, and fresh produce.
For cooked Shrimp
If you serve cooked shrimp products, you might want to display them for your customers while keeping them cold and fresh.
These commercial merchandiser refrigerators from Wilprep's kitchen provide the ideal temperature range, and extra features to make your food extra mouth-watering in the eyes of customers.
About Wilprep’s Kitchen
Wilprep's Kitchen is a leading provider of reliable commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigerators, food warmers, commercial ranges, and industrial ovens. Our collection of commercial refrigerators includes display refrigerators, reach-in refrigerators, and open-air merchandisers to meet the diverse needs of businesses.
Check out more popular convection ovens from Wilprep, and also discover some tips on how to store grapes, chili, and steak in the fridge
