Submitted by Lisa B. 
Mar. 18, 2022 04:21 p.m.
For restaurants serving up classic shrimp dishes, having a reliable supply of top-notch frozen shrimp is essential. As a restaurant owner, ensuring you source, purchase and handle frozen shrimp properly is key to delighting customers and protecting your business.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to purchasing frozen shrimp for your restaurant, from assessing quality and finding suppliers to proper storage and prep
Why Restaurants Rely on Frozen Shrimp
Freezing is the best preservation method for shrimp It suspends bacteria growth and slows enzymatic activity that causes spoilage, This gives frozen shrimp a significantly longer shelf life compared to fresh, Here are some of the main advantages
-
Extended shelf life – Frozen shrimp lasts 9-12 months in freezer storage versus just 2 days for fresh shrimp This allows restaurants to buy in bulk less frequently
-
Inventory flexibility – Having frozen shrimp in stock gives restaurants a protein to use anytime for dishes, without worrying about sourcing fresh daily.
-
Wider availability – Frozen shrimp can be sourced globally year-round, while fresh shrimp supply fluctuates. Freezing makes shrimp accessible out of season.
-
Cost savings – Buying large quantities of frozen shrimp maximizes value. And less spoilage waste compared to fresh shrimp provides cost savings.
For these reasons, most restaurants rely heavily on frozen shrimp for their menus.
How to Assess Shrimp Quality
Not all frozen shrimp are equal when it comes to quality. Here are tips for evaluating shrimp quality before purchasing:
-
Size – Shrimp should be uniform in size, with minimal broken pieces. Jumbo shrimp are the highest grade.
-
Color – Raw shrimp should have a translucent grayish-pink color without yellowing or dark spots.
-
Texture – Whole shrimp should be straight, tight, and firm. Avoid shrimp with signs of mushiness or dryness.
-
Odor – Shrimp should have a mild, briny seafood scent without an ammonia odor, which indicates spoilage.
Do a visual inspection of packaged shrimp and conduct sample thaw tests to assess quality. Only purchase perfectly intact, uniform shrimp.
Sourcing Reputable Frozen Shrimp Suppliers
With frozen shrimp playing such a big role in your menu offerings, sourcing high-quality products from reputable suppliers is a must. Here are tips for finding suppliers you can trust:
-
Get recommendations from other restaurants on their trusted vendors.
-
Ensure suppliers have safe food handling certifications.
-
Ask to see copies of recent inspecting reports and sample testing.
-
Choose suppliers who source Traceable, sustainable caught shrimp when possible.
-
Confirm suppliers use IQF (individually quick frozen) methods for best quality.
-
Review a supplier’s entire shrimp inventory to assess sizing consistency.
Taking the time to vet suppliers thoroughly gives you confidence in the frozen shrimp being delivered to your restaurant.
Purchasing Best Practices
Once you’ve found suppliers offering top-notch frozen shrimp at fair prices, follow these best practices for purchasing:
-
Buy in bulk – Larger quantities typically provide better unit pricing. This also minimizes delivery frequency.
-
Stick to inventories – Keep a running tally of your existing inventory and order based on upcoming menu needs.
-
Know what you need – Purchase shrimp based on intended use, whether breaded, skewered, sauteed, etc.
-
Rotate stock – Use oldest inventory first and move newly delivered stocks behind older supply.
-
Reject damaged product – Inspect deliveries thoroughly and reject any damaged, discolored or odor-producing cases.
Adhering to smart purchasing practices ensures you get the most value out of every shrimp order.
Proper Receiving & Storage
Maintaining frozen shrimp quality starts the moment it’s delivered to your restaurant. Follow these receiving and storage guidelines:
-
Inspect deliveries for proper temperature and intact, unopened packaging.
-
Immediately place shrimp in freezer storage maintaining 0°F or below.
-
Keep frozen and thawed shrimp separated in storage to prevent contamination.
-
Limit freezer openings to maintain consistent freezing temperatures.
-
Do not refreeze thawed shrimp. Only refreeze unopened packages if still in ice crystals.
-
When freezing shrimp after thawing, freeze spread out in single layer on trays before transferring to bags.
With diligent freezing protocols, you can uphold shrimp quality from delivery to plate up.
Safe Thawing & Handling
Improper thawing leads to quicker spoilage, so adhere to safe methods:
-
Thaw overnight in walk-in refrigerators when possible.
-
Submerge sealed frozen bags in cold running water if quicker thaw is needed.
-
Cook frozen shrimp directly from frozen state for dishes like shrimp boil.
-
Once thawed, shrimp is safe 3-4 days refrigerated at 41°F or less.
-
Discard any thawed shrimp with an unpleasant odor – do not refreeze.
By using the safest thawing and post-thaw storage methods, your shrimp quality stays locked in.
Prepping Shrimp for Service
Before serving up plump, tender shrimp in your dishes, follow these prep guidelines:
-
Rinse thawed shrimp under cold running water before cooking.
-
Remove shells and devein shrimp whenever desired. Leave shells on for dishes like shrimp boil.
-
Discard any cut or broken shrimp pieces which can spoil quicker when cooked.
-
Portion shrimp based on menu recipes for breaded, sauteed, skewered, etc.
-
Prepare shrimp within 4 days after thawing for peak quality and safety.
Proper prep controls spoilage risk and gives your dishes appealing, even shrimp size and portions.
Purchasing Frozen Shrimp for Success
By adhering to the sourcing, purchasing, storage and handling guidelines shared here, your restaurant can gain peace of mind around the frozen shrimp being used across your menus.
Taking the time to find reputable suppliers ensures that only the highest-quality shrimp arrive at your door. Then diligent freezing, thawing and prep practices maintain that quality right up until orders head out to hungry guests.
With frozen shrimp playing such an integral role for many dishes, treating it as the valuable ingredient it is pays off in happy customers, minimized waste, and improved profit margins. So be choosy about your shrimp to choose success.
Video Answers to Similar Questions Best Matched Videos Solved By Our Expert Educators
Want better grades, but can’t afford to pay for Numerade?
Enter your parent or guardian’s email address:
Already have an account? Log in
Adama Hogking “Numerade is far more than just what we see. I mean that it gives a full explanation of a question along with a written answer and an audio explanation. I love this app. All I can do now is to give it a five stars. “.
Yahtzee7k “In school? You need Numerade. It has made my life SO much easier. I can’t say enough good things about this app. Love it, in a literal sense. “.
m. ihsaan: “Really a great, amazing, and very useful app for all kinds of students, like engineering, science, and so on.” It provide more accurate answer and it give all the answers even no one websites can do. Really a useful thing to keep everyone. ” STEP.
Create an account to get free access Join Numerade as a Student Parent/Guardian Continue with
or Already have an account?
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
A restaurant owner purchases frozen shrimp from an unapproved vendor at a discounted price. which f…
How much does 20 frozen shrimp cost?
Depending on where you look, you might find this frozen seafood pick listed at $11.99 for 20 shrimp, which isn’t too bad. Still, given its uninspiring flavor and iffy sauce, you might want to save your money and spend it on one of the higher-quality frozen shrimp buys on this list.
Should you buy frozen shrimp at Target?
We’re diving into the frozen shrimp products you should buy and those you should avoid. Just by looking at the package, the Margaritaville Key West Chili Citrus Shrimp might appear a bit gimmicky, but honestly, it’s a great grab. At Target, an 8-ounce box of frozen shrimp goes for $6.99.
How much is a box of frozen shrimp at Target?
At Target, an 8-ounce box of frozen shrimp goes for $6.99. The shellfish comes drenched in a delectable chili citrus sauce that reviewers can’t seem to get enough of. Founded in part by singer Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville is now a popular restaurant chain across the globe.
How much does a 2 pound box of frozen shrimp cost?
According to the serving size, each 2-pound box contains roughly 27 pieces of shrimp. There are smaller sizes available; the variety we found at Kroger costs $10 per 12 shrimp. Though this might not be the best deal on frozen shrimp we’ve found, the flavor and sauce make it worth it.