How to Freeze Fresh Shrimp to Keep Them Tasting Great

Freezing shrimp is a great way to preserve their freshness and flavor for several months Having a stash of frozen shrimp in your freezer means you can enjoy delicious shrimp whenever you want, without having to run to the store.

I’ve frozen hundreds of pounds of shrimp over the years, and through trial and error have learned the best practices for freezing shrimp properly. Here I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how to freeze shrimp so they stay tender and delicious.

Why Freezing Shrimp is Recommended

Shrimp are extremely perishable Fresh, raw shrimp only last 1-2 days in the fridge before spoiling Freezing is the best way to stop that spoilage and keep shrimp around for when you need them.

The cold environment of the freezer puts shrimp in a state of suspended animation, stopping bacteria growth and enzymatic breakdown of the tissues. Done right, freezing preserves both the taste and texture of the shrimp.

Frozen shrimp stays high quality for 3-6 months if your freezer is set to 0°F or below. I like to use mine within 3 months just to be safe.

Freezing also allows you to buy shrimp in bulk when they are in season or on sale, saving you money.

Tips for Freezing Shrimp Successfully

Follow these tips for freezing shrimp properly so they stay delicious:

Freeze shrimp as soon as possible after buying or catching them. The fresher they are when frozen, the better they will be when thawed.
Sort the shrimp by size so they freeze evenly. Place large and jumbo shrimp in one bag, and smaller shrimp in another.
Don’t overfill freezer bags, use small batches for faster freezing.
Remove as much air from bags as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Use moisture-proof, freezer-grade plastic bags or containers.
Label bags with type of shrimp and date frozen for tracking.
Freeze shrimp quickly at 0°F or below. The faster shrimp freeze, the smaller the ice crystals that form.
Once thawed, cook thawed shrimp within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze.

Follow these best practices, and your frozen shrimp will taste amazingly fresh for months to come.

How to Freeze Fresh Raw Shrimp

Here are the detailed steps for properly freezing raw shrimp:

Buy the freshest shrimp possible, preferably from a local seafood market or off the boat. Fresher shrimp freeze better.
Remove the heads from the shrimp. Pull off the heads and leave the shell and tails on. The shells help protect the shrimp when frozen.
Rinse the shrimp. Place the peeled shrimp in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Drain well.
Sort the shrimp by size. Place large shrimp in one container and smaller shrimp in another for even freezing.
Place shrimp in freezer bags in single layers. Lay shrimp flat in a single layer in moisture-proof freezer bags. Don’t overfill – small batches freeze faster.
Remove air from bags. Seal bags using the displacement method – submerge the bag most of the way and let the water pressure force out air.
Label bags. Include type of shrimp (species, size) and date frozen. This helps with identification when frozen.
Freeze bags flat. This helps the shrimp to freeze evenly and quickly.
Freeze at 0°F or below. Use the coldest part of your freezer for fastest freezing.
Store frozen shrimp for 3-6 months. Shrimp frozen properly at 0°F will stay high quality for 3-6 months.

Following these steps for handling and freezing raw shrimp will yield delicious results when they are thawed for cooking and eating.

How to Freeze Previously Cooked Shrimp

Freezing already cooked shrimp is a little different than raw. Here are the steps:

Make sure shrimp are thoroughly cooked. Undercooked shrimp won’t freeze well and can be unsafe.
Let cooked shrimp cool completely. Shrimp need to be cooled to room temperature before freezing.
Peel and devein the shrimp. Removing the shells helps the shrimp freeze more evenly.
Put shrimp in single layer on tray/pan. Freezing shrimp loose helps prevent clumping.
Freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Quick freezing prevents damage to texture.
Transfer to moisture-proof bags. Gently pack the frozen shrimp into bags, removing air.
Press bags flat so shrimp stay in a single layer for quick thawing.
Label bags with type of shrimp and date. Make contents and date frozen clear.
Return to freezer immediately. Don’t let the shrimp start to thaw.
Store frozen cooked shrimp for 4 months max. Don’t freeze for more than 4 months.

Be sure shrimp are cooked properly and completely cooled before freezing cooked shrimp to maintain quality.

Thawing Frozen Shrimp

Thaw frozen shrimp properly to protect quality:

Thaw in fridge overnight for best results. Thaw in sealed bag in a bowl to catch drips.
Thaw under cold running water if in a hurry. Use a colander and cold water for fast thawing.
Don’t thaw at room temperature as bacteria can start growing.
Cook thawed shrimp within 1-2 days. Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp.
Look for off smells/textures indicating spoiled shrimp and throw them out.

Thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator when possible for maximum quality and food safety.

Best Practices for Freezing Shrimp

Follow these best practices whenever freezing shrimp:

Freeze raw shrimp in their shells for best results. Shells protect the delicate shrimp meat.
Remove shells from cooked shrimp before freezing since shells can toughen the texture.
Rinse shrimp before freezing to remove debris and dirt.
Work in small batches for fast freezing. Don’t overload freezer bags.
Remove air from bags using a water displacement method. Air causes freezer burn.
Use moisture-proof, freezer-grade bags or containers.
Label everything with contents and date frozen for easy identification.
Freeze at 0°F or below for fast freezing. Use the coldest part of your freezer.
Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze.

how do i freeze fresh shrimp

Things You’ll Need

Pot
Water
Baking sheet
Freezer bags

Community Q&ASearch

How long can you freeze fresh shrimp? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and covered all the bases. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: Raw shrimp will stay good in the freezer for three to six months if you store it right and keep the temperature stable. Many likely still safe to eat after that, but it might not taste as good.
Question: Can you freeze raw shrimp twice? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and covered all the bases. Staff Answer from wikiHow: It’s not a good idea to freeze any kind of raw meat again. Putting and taking out of the freezer breaks down the meat’s cells, turning it into mush and making it taste worse. The quality of your shrimp will get worse the more you freeze and thaw it.
Can you freeze pasta with shrimp? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and covered all the bases. Staff Answer from wikiHow: You can, but keep in mind that cream sauces don’t freeze and reheat very well. This means that your shrimp alfredo might not taste as good when you reheat it. Also, pasta freezes better if you cook it al dente, which means a little chewy, so when you reheat it, it won’t be as soft. Place the pasta in a container that can be sealed well and frozen to keep it fresh.

The better the shrimp, the longer it stays fresh after being frozen. Buy fresh shrimp for the best taste after freezing. [17] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .

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When shrimp has thawed, look out for signs like a faded color, a slimy texture, and a strong, fishy smell. [18] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .

Noreen’s Kitchen Tid Bit: How to Clean and Freeze Fresh Shrimp

How do you Freeze frozen shrimp?

Wash the shrimp under running water. Place the shrimp in a bowl and place them under your sink’s faucet. Turn on the water and rinse them thoroughly, removing any visible debris if you notice any. Getting the shrimp wet before freezing them creates an icy glaze that helps them stay preserved longer. Pack the shrimp in rigid containers.

Can you freeze shrimp after boiling?

Freeze the shrimp within 1-2 days after boiling them to keep them from spoiling. If you don’t have enough space to keep cookie sheets in the fridge long-term, don’t worry—you will store them in smaller containers after they’ve frozen. Pack the shrimp in large freezer bags.

Can shrimp be frozen?

Using a freezer-safe storage bag or container will help to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the shrimp during storage. Make sure that the bag or container is labeled with the date of freezing so that you can keep track of how long the shrimp have been in the freezer.

How do you store fresh shrimp?

Here are the steps to properly store fresh shrimp: If the shrimp is in a plastic bag, remove it from the bag and rinse the shrimp with cold water. Place the shrimp in a clean container with a lid or cover the container with plastic wrap. Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator.