Shrimp is a versatile protein that can be used in everything from appetizers to main courses. While fresh shrimp has a short shelf life freezing it is an easy way to preserve shrimp for several months. Properly freezing and storing shrimp lets you enjoy its sweet, briny flavor long after purchase.
I’ll walk through best practices for freezing both raw and cooked shrimp. I’ll also share tips on storage methods, brining, thawing, and signs of spoiled shrimp. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be able to keep shrimp tasting great during long-term freezer storage.
When to Freeze Shrimp
Freeze shrimp shortly after purchase for best results. Here are some guidelines on when to pop shrimp in the freezer:
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Raw shrimp: Freeze within 1-2 days of buying. Raw shrimp will keep for 2 days max in the fridge before spoiling.
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Freshly cooked shrimp Freeze within 2 hours of cooking Don’t leave cooked shrimp at room temperature for more than 2 hours before refrigerating or freezing
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Leftover cooked shrimp: Refrigerate for 1-2 days maximum, then freeze any extra you won’t use. Don’t keep pre-cooked shrimp in the fridge for more than a couple days.
Freezing shrimp quickly prevents deterioration in texture and flavor. Date packages before freezing so you know how long shrimp has been stored.
Freezing Raw Shrimp
Follow these steps for properly freezing raw, shell-on shrimp:
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Rinse raw shrimp under cold water and drain well. Getting shrimp wet before freezing helps form an ice glaze that protects it.
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Keep the shell on but remove the head and legs. The shell helps preserve texture and moisture.
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Place shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until completely firm. This prevents clumping.
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Transfer frozen shrimp to airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
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For maximum freshness, add a brine ice glaze. Mix 1 cup salt to 1 gallon water and cover shrimp completely.
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Store frozen raw shrimp for 3-6 months at 0°F/-18°C or below.
Freezing Cooked Shrimp
For best results with cooked shrimp, follow these freezing guidelines:
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Remove shells, tails, veins and any remaining legs or heads after cooking. Frozen shell-on shrimp takes up more space.
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Place cooked shrimp in a single layer on a tray or cookie sheet and freeze until firm. This prevents clumping.
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Move the frozen shrimp to sealable plastic freezer bags, squeezing out excess air. Flatten bags to freeze evenly.
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Avoid freezing cooked shrimp in large blocks or globs. Individual freezing preserves texture better.
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Store cooked frozen shrimp for 3-6 months at 0°F/-18°C or below.
Proper Storage Containers for Frozen Shrimp
Use the right containers to prevent freezer burn or damaged shrimp:
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Rigid plastic containers with tight lids are ideal for raw shrimp stored in brine. Glass jars also work well.
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Freezer-grade resealable plastic bags are best for cooked shrimp. Squeeze out air before sealing.
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Avoid storing shrimp in normal plastic containers or bags. Only use containers meant for freezing.
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If using paper cartons, overwrap with plastic wrap or foil since these are not moisture-proof.
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Prevent freezer burn by minimizing air in packages. Use smallest container size possible for the amount.
Ideal Freezer Temperature and Storage Time
Maintaining a stable, cold temperature is key for long freezer storage. Here are tips:
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Store shrimp at 0°F/-18°C or below. Temperature fluctuations degrade quality faster.
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Cooked and raw shrimp will last 3-6 months in the freezer before noticeable decline in flavor or texture.
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Technically, properly frozen shrimp won’t spoil, but quality suffers beyond 6 months. Use within 3-6 months for best flavor.
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Mark packages with date of freezing and use in order starting with oldest packages first.
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Avoid repeated freezing and thawing cycles. Refreezing degrades texture significantly.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Always thaw frozen shrimp properly to maintain quality:
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Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best safety and texture retention.
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For faster thawing, place vacuum sealed packages in a bowl of cold water. Change water every 30 mins to keep it cold.
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Microwave thawing is risky as shrimp cooks very fast. You could end up with mushy, overcooked shrimp if you aren’t careful.
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Cook thawed shrimp immediately for food safety. Don’t refreeze thawed raw shrimp.
Signs of Spoiled Frozen Shrimp
Watch for these red flags indicating frozen shrimp has gone bad:
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Strong, fishy or ammonia-like odor.
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Mushy, slimy texture instead of firm and shiny.
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Discoloration and fading of naturally pink/orange hues.
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Dry, freezer burned portions with white ice crystals.
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Freezer containers that are opened, damaged, or swollen.
When in doubt, remember the old saying “when in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk getting sick from eating bad shrimp!
Safely Cooking Frozen Shrimp
You can cook shrimp directly from frozen for convenience:
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Add a couple extra minutes to the cook time as frozen shrimp takes longer.
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For sautéing, stir over medium-high heat until it turns opaque and starts to curl.
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On the grill or under the broiler, cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
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Boil frozen shrimp for 5-6 minutes until pink and cooked through.
Adjust cook times as needed based on the size of your shrimp. The safest bet is to use a food thermometer to check doneness. Frozen shrimp is done at an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C.
Enjoying Frozen Shrimp
Follow these shrimp freezing tips, and you’ll have delicious shrimp ready anytime. Here are some tasty ways to use frozen shrimp:
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Shrimp scampi pasta
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Coconut shrimp with mango dipping sauce
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Shrimp tacos or fajitas
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Shrimp fried rice or stir fry
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Shrimp spring rolls
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Grilled lemon pepper shrimp skewers
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Quick shrimp cocktail or ceviche
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Hearty shrimp and sausage gumbo
With properly frozen and stored shrimp, you can enjoy seafood flavor in recipes year-round directly from the freezer.
Thawing Frozen Shrimp
- 1. Put the frozen shrimp in a colander and let them thaw. Put a plate under the colander to catch the water as you move the shrimp from their containers. In a room that is warm enough, let the shrimp thaw on the kitchen counter or in the fridge. [13] You can let shrimp thaw at room temperature for up to two hours at a time. [14] .
- 2. If you want to thaw the shrimp faster, do it under running water. If you need to quickly thaw shrimp, turn on the warm water faucet in your sink. Put the shrimp in warm water until they are soft to the touch and no longer frozen. [15] .
- 3 Cook or refrigerate thawed shrimp within 1-2 days. Once shrimp is thawed, it can be kept in the fridge for up to two days without going bad. Thaw shrimp right before you plan to cook it, if you can. 16. Don’t freeze the shrimp again afterward; doing this more than once can ruin the taste of the shrimp.
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Freezing Raw Shrimp
- 1 Remove the shrimp heads before freezing them. You can use your hands or a knife to cut off the shrimp’s heads. Do not take off the shells or veins of cooked shrimp before freezing them. When frozen, raw shrimp stays fresh longer if it stays in its shell. [7] To keep the shrimp from going bad, don’t leave it out on the counter for more than two hours. You can save space by taking out the shrimp shells, but the food might not taste as fresh without them.
- 2 Wash the shrimp under running water. Put the shrimp in a bowl and set it under the faucet in your sink. Turn on the water and give them a good rinse, getting rid of any debris you can see. [8] Putting shrimp in water before freezing them makes an icy glaze that keeps them fresh longer.
- 3 Pack the shrimp in rigid containers. The shrimp should be put in a Tupperware container or something else rigid, like a yogurt tub, after being taken out of the sink. To keep the air in the container from rising, leave as little space as possible between the shrimp. [9] Freeze the shrimp within one to two days, since raw shrimp can only stay fresh in the fridge for two days.
- 4 Pour a brine solution into the container. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to every 1 US quart of water and mix it. 95 L) of water. Place the container in the fridge to store the brine. Fill it with water until it’s about an inch or a few centimeters above the top. Keep the container somewhere it can stand up until the brine freezes so it doesn’t spill. [10] Write the date on the container to help you remember how long you have left until it goes bad. As an alternative, you can buy brine at some seafood stores.
- 5. You can keep frozen raw shrimp for three to six months at a time. When frozen, shrimp can stay fresh for up to 6 months, whether it’s raw or cooked. But once it’s been three months, you should plan to use the shrimp within the next few months for the best taste. In theory, the shrimp don’t go bad as long as they stay frozen. However, their taste and ability to resist freezer burn quickly go downhill. [12] .
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How to Keep Prawns Fresh 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.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
How long can frozen shrimp be stored?
Frozen shrimp can typically be stored in the freezer for up to six months. However, it’s important to check the packaging for any expiration dates or storage guidelines provided by the manufacturer. If the shrimp has been properly stored and is still within its recommended shelf life, it should be safe to eat.
How long can you keep raw shrimp in the fridge?
Freeze the packed shrimp within 1-2 days, as raw shrimp can only last up to 2 days in the fridge. Pour a brine solution into the container. Mix a brine solution of 2 tablespoons of salt per 1 US qt (0.95 L) of water.