Food safety is one of the most important aspects of cooking at home. Should you enjoy shrimp a lot, you should know how to keep it fresh when it’s raw and when it’s cooked. So, the last thing you want is for that tasty shrimp to go bad before you can eat it.
In two days, you should either cook or properly freeze the raw shrimp that you have in your fridge. You can freeze or eat shrimp that you cooked up recently up to four days after you cook it. That might sound a little short if you know how long the turf part of surf and turf stays fresh in the fridge.
But because shrimp and cattle live in different environments, shrimp will go bad faster than any land animal, even if they are kept cool. We’ll get into that, plus proper long-term storage practices, and we’ve even got a tasty grilled shrimp recipe. After all, it always comes back to a grill or smoker at some point here at Angry BBQ!.
Shrimp is one of those ingredients that can go bad quickly if you’re not careful. Its shelf life is relatively short compared to other proteins. But what if you’ve had some leftover shrimp sitting in your fridge for a few days – is it still safe to eat? Let’s take a look at how to tell if shrimp is still good after 4 days in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Cooked Shrimp Last in the Fridge?
In general, properly stored cooked shrimp will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. So shrimp that has been refrigerated for 4 days is right at the edge of its shelf life. It may still be fine to eat, but you’ll need to closely inspect it.
Here are some tips on shrimp storage
- Cooked shrimp should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Never leave it out at room temperature.
- Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the coldest part of the fridge (usually the bottom shelf).
- Don’t overfill the container, as this slows cooling.
- Make sure shrimp is cooled properly before refrigerating.
Proper storage gives shrimp the best chance of lasting 4 days refrigerated. But once you go past that 3 to 4 day window, proceed with caution.
How to Tell if Shrimp is Bad After 4 Days
Because shrimp has such a short shelf life, you need to be extra vigilant when inspecting shrimp that’s been in the fridge for 4 days. Check for these signs of spoilage:
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Ammonia smell – Fresh shrimp has a mild briny scent. A sour, ammonia-like odor is a definite red flag.
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Sliminess – The flesh should still feel firm and dry after 4 days. Any sliminess means bacteria is growing.
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Discoloration – The flesh should remain glistening and pink/orange. Graying, yellowing or blue-ish hues are bad news.
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Mushy texture – Press the shrimp with your finger. If it feels mushy rather than firm, toss it.
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Mold growth – This one’s obvious. Any mold or fuzzy patches mean the shrimp needs to go.
If your shrimp shows any of these signs after 4 days of refrigeration, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t risk eating bad shrimp – just throw it away.
Tips for Maximizing Shrimp Shelf Life
You can help shrimp stay fresh longer by:
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Buying fresh, high-quality shrimp to begin with. Look for firm, shiny shrimp without any off odors.
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Storing raw shrimp on ice until ready to cook. This preserves freshness.
-Cooking shrimp properly. Don’t overcook, as this makes it deteriorate faster.
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Cooling shrimp quickly before refrigerating.
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Keeping fridge below 40°F. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor.
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Refrigerating in an airtight container on the bottom shelf.
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Resisting the urge to crowd the container. Shrimp needs airflow.
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Being diligent about using refrigerated shrimp within the recommended 3-4 days.
What to Do With Shrimp That’s Past Its Prime
We’ve all been there – you peer into the fridge only to discover some sad, forgotten shrimp that is likely past its prime. Before you toss it directly in the trash, consider these options to make the most of shrimp on its last legs:
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Use it up in a flavor-packed dish like gumbo, jambalaya or seafood sauce where any “off” flavors can be masked.
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Pick out any pieces that still look good to use in a shrimp salad or tacos. Toss the rest.
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Don’t risk eating it plain or in a delicate dish where the quality of the shrimp is more noticeable.
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If you won’t have time to use it up, don’t take chances – when in doubt, throw it out.
Trust Your Senses When Evaluating Older Shrimp
The eyes, nose and fingers are your best tools for determining whether shrimp is still OK to eat after sitting in the fridge for 4 days. Trust your senses – if it smells funky, looks slimy or feels mushy, that’s a clear sign it’s past its prime. Just think, is eating this older shrimp worth the risk of a foodborne illness? When shrimp is on the brink, it’s better to play it safe and chuck it.
On the other hand, if your shrimp was refrigerated promptly after cooking, has been kept cold at 40°F or below, and still looks, smells and feels fresh, it may be fine to enjoy for dinner – even after 4 days. Proper storage gives shrimp the best shot at lasting a full 4 days. But remember, once you cross that 3-4 day marker, proceed with care and be picky! Hopefully these tips will help you reduce wasted shrimp and feel confident determining whether your leftovers are still good or ready to be tossed. Trust your senses and listen to your shrimp!
Here’s a Quick Summary of Shrimp Refrigerator Life:
- Raw shrimp: 1-2 days
- Cooked shrimp: 3-4 days
- Shrimp in freezer: 2-6 months
So if you’ve had that cooked shrimp kicking around for a full 4 days, inspect it closely and look for any sour smells, slime, or mushiness. If it passes the sniff and touch test, it should be fine for one more shrimp dinner! But toss it after that – don’t take chances by letting it linger for a 5th or 6th day. When in doubt, throw it out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Shrimp
Here are answers to some common questions about shrimp shelf life in the refrigerator and freezer:
How can you tell if previously frozen raw shrimp has gone bad?
Check for an ammonia odor, sticky texture, or black/yellow spots. Discard if present.
Can you freeze shrimp after it’s already gone bad?
It’s not recommended. Freezing won’t reverse spoilage that’s already begun. Always freeze shrimp when fresh.
Is shrimp safe to eat if refrigerated for 5 days?
It’s risky. 5 days pushes past the recommended 3-4 day limit for refrigerated cooked shrimp. Eat within 4 days to be safe.
How do you know if thawed frozen shrimp is still good?
Inspect for odor and appearance. It should look and smell fresh. If unsure, it’s best to be cautious and throw it out.
What happens if you eat bad shrimp?
Eating spoiled shrimp can cause food poisoning with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and stomach cramps. So it’s not worth the risk.
Can cooking shrimp kill bacteria if it’s gone bad?
It’s better to just throw out bad shrimp. While cooking may kill some bacteria, toxins left by bacteria can still cause illness.
Is it better to freeze or refrigerate shrimp?
For long-term storage, freeze it. Shrimp lasts several months in the freezer but only 3-4 days in the fridge.
Should you rinse raw shrimp before cooking?
Washing raw shrimp runs the risk of splashing bacteria around. It’s generally better to just cook it thoroughly.
Let Your Senses Guide You
The bottom line when deciding whether older refrigerated shrimp is still good is to trust your senses. If it smells fine, looks fine, and feels fine – then it’s likely fine! But if your senses pick up on any sour, slimy, or off qualities, that shrimp is past its prime and needs to be tossed. Follow recommended storage times, state when cooked, and inspect carefully once you go past the 3-4 day mark. With shrimp, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and throw it out if there’s any doubt at all. Listen to your senses, and let your nose and fingers help you make the right call!
How Does Your Shrimp Look?
Fresh, raw shrimp is translucent or slightly gray or white. If the shrimp have discolored or even developed spots, throw them out.
Cooked shrimp develops a distinctive pinkish color. If the color has faded or turned gray, or if you see mold, you should throw it away.
Shrimp doesn’t have much of a smell, just a slightly salty smell from the sea. If you smell ammonia, an overly fishy, sour, or spoiled smell, you should toss it without hesitation.
Shrimp should have some moisture, but it shouldn’t ever feel slimy. The shrimp will feel like it has a slimy film on it if you pick it up. This means that bacteria are reproducing. It should be thrown away.
Remember, if you are at all concerned that shrimp have spoiled, throw them out. The potential for food poisoning is far worse than having to get more shrimp from the store.
How Long Does Shrimp Cocktail Last In The Fridge?
If you want to store shrimp cocktail for later or plan to have a party, you’ll need to know how long it will last in the fridge. Just like regular cooked shrimp, the shrimp can last up to four days from the point of cooking.