Where Can You Buy Fresh Shrimp? A Guide to Finding the Freshest Shrimp

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood options, loved for its sweet and briny flavor But finding high-quality fresh shrimp can be tricky As a seafood lover, I often get asked – where can you buy fresh shrimp?

The key to great tasting shrimp is freshness. You want shrimp that was caught or farmed recently, properly handled, and not sitting around too long before it reaches your plate. Here are some tips on where to find fresh shrimp and what to look for when shopping.

Check the Seafood Counter at Your Local Grocery Store

Many grocery stores have seafood counters that get regular shrimp shipments. Ask the fishmonger when their next delivery is scheduled. Try to shop the day fresh shrimp arrives, so you know it hasn’t been sitting long.

Give the shrimp a sniff test. It should smell like the ocean, not fishy or ammonia-like. Check the shells – they should be firm, not slimy. Avoid shrimp that is pooled in melted ice water, which dilutes flavor. Make sure the shrimp is displayed on a bed of fresh ice.

Find out if the shrimp was previously frozen. Shrimp is often flash frozen on the boat to preserve freshness. As long as it hasn’t been thawed and refrozen multiple times, frozen-then-thawed shrimp can be a good option.

Ask where the shrimp came from. Domestic shrimp from the Gulf Coast offers consistent quality. Imported shrimp may be cheaper but can lack oversight. Wild-caught shrimp have superior flavor over farmed.

Purchase 1 pound or less. The smaller the quantity, the less time it sits at the store. Buy it the same day you plan to cook it.

Shop at a Trusted Fish Market

A specialty fish market or high-end grocer like Whole Foods likely has a better shrimp selection than a basic supermarket.

Seek out a reputable fish market known for fresh, sustainable seafood. Ask questions to learn about their shrimp sources, handling practices and shipment schedules. This ensures a rapid turnaround from sea to store.

Many top-quality fish markets even fly in shipments daily. For example, Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle receives shipments of wild-caught spot prawns from Alaska overnight. This shrimp was swimming in the ocean 24 hours ago!

Expect to pay more per pound for premium shrimp bought from a fish market, It’s worth it for the peace of mind knowing your shrimp is top notch,

Buy Shrimp Off the Boat

If you live near a coastal fishing port buying shrimp straight from the fishing boat is a memorable experience that guarantees freshness.

See if your area has a fisherman’s wharf or dock where boats sell their catch. Schoodic Peninsula in Maine, Beaufort in North Carolina and Destin Harbor in Florida are examples of places to find “dockside shrimp.”

Chat with the fishermen about their catch. You may even get to see them unload shrimp right off the boat. This shrimp will likely still be moving and is as fresh as it gets.

Expect to pay fishermen premium prices, but it supports the local industry. You can also buy large quantities to freeze at home if you don’t plan to eat it immediately.

Order Shrimp Online

Several companies specialize in overnight delivery of fresh seafood like shrimp.

Websites like Seattle Fish Co and Wild Alaskan Company ship shrimp packed with gel ice packs to arrive cold and fresh.

Look for varieties like Key West pink shrimp or domestic white shrimp. Avoid imported shrimp from Asia, which takes longer to arrive.

Order 1-2 days before you need it to account for transit time. Choose expedited shipping if available. Inspect shrimp immediately and return if not up to par.

Buying shrimp online costs more after factoring in the overnight shipping fees and chilled packaging required. But it may be worth it if your local shrimp options are limited.

Shop Somewhere Reputable on Vacation

When traveling near major fishing ports like New Orleans or Charleston, be cautious when buying shrimp from touristy retailers. Some may falsely advertise previously frozen shrimp as fresh catch.

Do some research to find a trusted fish market in the area. Or ask hotel concierge or locals for recommendations on where to buy quality fresh seafood.

If dining at a high-end seafood restaurant on vacation, ask if they have fresh shrimp available to take home. Many will accommodate special requests from patrons.

Try new-to-you regional shrimp varieties on vacation. In the Pacific Northwest, sample spot prawns. On the Gulf Coast, taste white or brown shrimp. Broaden your shrimp horizons!

What About Frozen Shrimp?

Contrary to what you may think, frozen shrimp can offer comparable quality and taste to fresh shrimp.

As mentioned earlier, most “fresh” shrimp at the grocery store was previously frozen anyway. It has just been thawed for display. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles degrade texture and flavor.

Shrimp frozen immediately on the boat retains its freshness and locks in flavor. Look for packaging marked “flash frozen.” IQF or Individually Quick Frozen is ideal.

At the store, frozen shrimp should be rock hard and show no signs of freezer burn. It must remain frozen until ready to use.

Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or under cold running water. Avoid microwave thawing, which cooks the edges.

Tips for Storing Fresh Shrimp

Once home, proper storage preserves your shrimp’s freshness and shelf life. Here are some storage tips:

• Keep raw shrimp chilled at 32-40°F. Store in a bowl nested in ice in the fridge.

• If vacuum sealed, fresh shrimp can be frozen up to 3 months. Portion into meal-size bags. Squeeze out air before sealing.

• Cooked shrimp lasts 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.

• Marinated or breaded raw shrimp has a shorter fridge life of 1-2 days. Cook as soon as possible.

• Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge. Cook within 1-2 days to retain moisture and texture.

• Avoid cross-contaminating ready-to-eat shrimp with raw meat and poultry juices by storing separately.

Follow safe handling practices and cook shrimp thoroughly. Discard any with an off smell or appearance.

Ready to Cook Your Fabulous Fresh Shrimp?

I hope these tips help you source high-quality fresh shrimp, whether from a local fish market, specialty grocery store or ordered online. With proper handling and storage, you’ll be ready to make delicious shrimp entrees that your family and friends will rave about.

When prepared simply – seared, grilled or sautéed – fresh shrimp really shines. The sweet brininess needs little adornment. But it also dresses up beautifully in pastas, tacos, salads and more.

What are your go-to recipes for fresh shrimp? I’d love to hear your recommendations! Drop me a comment below.