Rock shrimp are one of my favorite types of shrimp, with their firm texture and sweet, lobster-like flavor. However, I’ve found that rock shrimp can be tricky to find and aren’t always readily available at regular supermarkets.
In this article I’ll share everything I’ve learned about where to buy rock shrimp both online and in physical stores. You’ll also get useful background on what exactly rock shrimp are, what makes them so tasty, and how to cook them. Let’s dive in!
What are Rock Shrimp?
Rock shrimp belong to the scientific genus Sicyonia. They get their name from their rock-hard shells, which are thicker than regular shrimp shells
Rock shrimp are found in waters along the southeast US coast from North Carolina down to the Gulf of Mexico. They thrive in deep offshore waters up to 2000 feet deep.
These small-sized shrimp grow to around 2-3 inches long. They are sometimes called “mini lobsters” or “squat lobsters” due to their resemblance. Their firm meat has a sweet, almost nutty flavor that is intensely rich for a shrimp.
- Scientifically known as Sicyonia genus
- Named for their hard outer shell
- Caught off Southeast US coast
- Grow up to 3 inches long
- Referred to as “mini lobsters”
- Sweet, firm meat with intense shrimp flavor
Next, let’s look at the best places to buy them.
Purchase Rock Shrimp Online
One of the easiest ways to buy rock shrimp is online through seafood delivery websites and specialty retailers. Here are some of the best online stores for buying rock shrimp:
Wild Ocean Direct
This is my #1 recommendation for buying fresh, sustainable rock shrimp online. Their rock shrimp are caught daily off the coasts of Florida and Georgia. They are available in different preparations:
- Split and cleaned
- Cleaned without shell
- Whole
I like getting the split and cleaned rock shrimp which are quick and easy to cook. The shrimp are cleanly prepared while still staying true to their natural flavor.
Wild Ocean Direct has very reasonable pricing for rock shrimp, starting at $26 per 12 oz. They also have excellent customer service and overnight delivery available.
Citarella
For a premium gourmet option, Citarella sells fresh wild rock shrimp sourced from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their rock shrimp are sold shell-on or peeled and deveined.
Expect to pay higher prices at Citarella but you’re paying for quality. Their online seafood market has a stellar reputation.
Seattle Fish Company
This supplier focuses on providing high-quality sustainable seafood to restaurants but also has an online retail store. Their rock shrimp is wild-caught in the Georgia Strait.
Seattle Fish Company has good bulk pricing if you want to stock up. You can buy refrigerated packs of 1 lb or 5 lb of peeled rock shrimp.
Hopkins Shellfish
Operating since 1929, this family-run company supplies rock shrimp caught off North Carolina’s coast. Their online shop has peeled, cooked rock shrimp available in 1 lb bags.
Hopkins Shellfish has been in the business for generations and knows good seafood. Their rock shrimp gets rave reviews.
Check Your Local Independent Fish Market
Beyond online stores, another place to check for rock shrimp is your local independent fish market or high-end grocer.
Independent fish shops and upscale chains like Whole Foods are good at sourcing specialty seafood that mainstream markets don’t carry.
The advantage of buying in person is you can check the freshness and have the fishmonger explain the story behind the shrimp. This is especially important with niche products like rock shrimp that vary in availability.
When shopping in person, bring a cooler bag and ice packs to keep rock shrimp cold on the trip home.
Some top local fish markets around the country include:
- New Orleans Fish House (New Orleans, LA)
- Atlantic Seafood Market (Miami, FL)
- Harbor Fish Market (Portland, ME)
- The Lobster Place (New York City, NY)
- Dekalb Farmers Market (Decatur, GA)
Check reviews and hours before visiting to make sure a market carries rock shrimp and is open.
Try Your Luck at Regular Grocery Stores
Even regular mainstream grocery chains may occasionally carry frozen rock shrimp. Due to their limited supply, rock shrimp sold at standard supermarkets are often imported from Asia or South America.
The quality and freshness may not compare to US-caught rock shrimp from specialty sellers. But for a convenient option, keep an eye out for bags of frozen rock shrimp at stores like:
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Publix
- Harris Teeter
- Albertsons
Call your local store’s seafood department in advance to check if they have rock shrimp in stock to avoid a wasted trip.
Know When Rock Shrimp Are In Season
One complicating factor when sourcing rock shrimp is that their availability varies by season:
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Peak season – Late summer into early fall are the prime months for rock shrimp from US waters. August-October is ideal for both supply and best taste.
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Low season – Wild-caught rock shrimp are harder to come by in the winter. Imported frozen product may still be available.
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Hurricane season – During hurricane season from June-November, poor weather can impact fishing, potentially lowering supply.
Checking calendars and speaking to your fishmonger can help identify the best times to buy. If you find a great deal on in-season rock shrimp, stock up your freezer to last through the off months.
How to Cook Rock Shrimp
Once you’ve sourced your rock shrimp, you’ll want to cook them properly to appreciate their fabulous flavor. Here are my top cooking tips:
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Season simply – A squeeze of lemon and pinch of salt is all they need! Avoid heavy sauces that will mask their sweetness.
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Broil, grill or sauté – These dry-heat methods work best. Poaching makes them soggy.
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Cook briefly – Rock shrimp cook fast. 2-3 minutes per side is plenty. Be careful not to overcook.
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Try skewers – Thread rock shrimp on skewers for easy grilling. Soak wooden skewers beforehand.
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Eat shells and all – Unlike regular shrimp, the shells are edible and tasty when broiled or grilled.
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Add last to seafood stews – Since they cook so quickly, add rock shrimp at the end.
Frequency of Entities:
rock shrimp – 55
shrimp – 38
buy – 15
online – 7
local – 5
season – 4
cook – 2
broil – 2
grill – 1
sauté – 1
Where to buy rock shrimp from Titusville Florid
Where can I buy rock shrimp?
The best place to buy rock shrimp is at a good seafood market (or fish section of a supermarket) with high turnover or an online site specializing in shellfish. Fresh (or previously frozen and thawed) shrimp should be cleaned, cooked, and consumed within a day or two at most.
What is rock shrimp?
Rock shrimp are wildly flavorful and can sometimes be confused with little lobsters. Rock shrimp are sweet, firm and delicious. Hand-cleaned and split for your enjoyment! Get it by . Select expedited shipping or your preferred shipping date at checkout. – shipped via 2nd Day Air Our seafood is backed by our Satisfaction Guarantee.
Where do rock shrimp live?
And whereas spiny lobsters are West Coast creatures, from Baja California up the entire coast to Alaska (as well as the Sea of Japan, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean), rock shrimp live in East Coast waters. Rock shrimp are easily adaptable to almost any recipe for shrimp or lobster.
Can you eat rock shrimp?
Rock shrimp are easily adaptable to almost any recipe for shrimp or lobster. They do particularly well with grilling, roasting, steaming, and broiling, and would also be a great addition to a shellfish stew or a paella . Rock shrimp are readily available, fresh and frozen, head on or off, shell on, or pre-split and deveined.