How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last? A Detailed Guide

Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins to cook and eat. It’s delicious, versatile and relatively quick to prepare. However like any perishable food, knowing how to store shrimp properly is key to enjoying it when you want to without wasting any. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about how long cooked shrimp lasts in the fridge or freezer so you can enjoy it safely.

How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last in the Fridge?

Cooked shrimp will generally last 3-4 days stored properly in the fridge. The key things to keep in mind are:

• Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag with as much air pressed out as possible You want to prevent oxygen from circulating as this causes faster spoilage.

• Place the container on the bottom shelf of your fridge, which is the coldest area The lower temperature helps extend shelf life.

• Cooked shrimp that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for 3-4 days after cooking.

• If shrimp has been left out at room temp for more than 2 hours, cut that fridge time down to 1-2 days. Bacteria grows rapidly at temperatures above 40°F.

How to Tell If Cooked Shrimp Has Gone Bad

It’s easy to tell when cooked shrimp has gone past its prime and needs to be discarded. Signs of spoiled cooked shrimp include:

• Slimy texture and milky or cloudy looking appearance
• Ammonia-like or sour odor
• Discoloration; the flesh changes from pinkish-orange to an unusual shade of gray, brown, or green

Trust your senses – if cooked shrimp doesn’t look, smell or feel right, it’s better to be safe than sorry and throw it out.

How to Store Cooked Shrimp in the Fridge

To maximize how long cooked shrimp lasts in the fridge, follow these storage tips:

• Let shrimp cool completely first before refrigerating. Warm food temperatures promote bacteria growth.

• Place shrimp in an airtight glass or plastic container, or resealable freezer bag.

• Squeeze out excess air before sealing to remove oxygen.

• Store shrimp in the coldest part of the fridge, usually the bottom shelf.

• Use cooked shrimp within 3-4 days for best quality.

Proper refrigeration gives you the most days to enjoy shrimp before it goes bad!

How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last in the Freezer?

While cooked shrimp keeps for just 3-4 days in the refrigerator, the freezer time is much longer at 3-6 months.

Here are some freezing tips to maximize shelf life:

• Flash freeze shrimp on a parchment lined baking sheet until solid before transferring to freezer bags or containers. Freezing in a single layer prevents clumping.

• Exclude as much air as possible and seal bags or containers tightly.

• Label bags or containers with date frozen for easy reference.

• Store frozen shrimp in the coldest part of your freezer, at 0°F or below.

• Cooked shrimp that has been continuously frozen at 0°F will keep for 3-6 months before quality begins to decline.

The freezer stops food spoilage in its tracks, letting you stash shrimp for quick weeknight meals!

How to Reheat Previously Frozen Shrimp

Shrimp can get rubbery if you reheat them incorrectly from the frozen state. For tender, juicy shrimp, I recommend:

• Thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight before reheating. Don’t try to rush thaw on the counter or in warm water.

• Reheat gently either on the stove or in the microwave using medium-low heat.

• Cook just until warmed through, 1-2 minutes tops to avoid overcooking.

• Add a bit of liquid or sauce to help retain moisture when reheating.

Reheating thawed shrimp gently and briefly prevents them from seizing up and becoming tough. Slow thawing in the fridge overnight leads to the best results.

How to Use Up Leftover Cooked Shrimp

Besides enjoying chilled leftover shrimp in shrimp cocktails and salads, here are some of my favorite ways to repurpose extra cooked shrimp so nothing goes to waste:

• Fold into omelets, frittatas or scrambled eggs
• Toss with pasta, rice or grain salads
• Stuff into tacos or taco salads
• Top soups, chilis or stews
• Fill lettuce wraps or sandwiches
• Mix into seafood pasta bakes or casseroles
• Make shrimp cakes or croquettes

With endless possibilities for leftover shrimp, you can take meals from boring to brilliant in no time!

Ready to Enjoy Shrimp? Here are Food Safety Tips to Remember

As you can see, properly storing cooked shrimp is simple with some key strategies for maximizing fridge and freezer times. Here’s a quick summary of shrimp food safety:

• Raw shrimp lasts just 1-2 days in the fridge. Use quickly or freeze.

• Cooked shrimp stays fresh for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the coldest area of the fridge.

• Frozen shrimp keeps 3-6 months in a 0°F freezer before quality declines.

• Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

• Discard shrimp that smells or looks off – when in doubt, throw it out!