In this article we will deal with shrimp, very popular seafood that is consumed worldwide. If you also enjoy eating shrimp, this article will be interesting and useful for you. We will explain you how to store shrimp properly and how to extend its shelf life.
Also, we will tell you how long shrimp can last and how you can tell if the shrimp has gone bad. Read along and find out more about shrimp and its proper storage.
More about Shrimp
Shrimp is a small free-swimming crustacean which has an elongated body. Shrimp is rich in protein and low in calories. Also shrimp is high in omega 3 fatty acids and calcium. It is important that shrimp is low in mercury that can be toxic.
Shrimp can be served hot or cold and they are delicious all by themselves. You can also use shrimp in many recipes. This seafood has a lot of health benefits for people, but people usually don’t eat shrimp very often because shrimp can be too expensive.
What is the Shelf Life of Shrimp?
The shelf life of shrimp depends on many factors, such as the preparation method and the sell by date. Also, a very important factor when we talk about the shelf life of a shrimp is a way of its storage. If shrimp is not stored properly, it will last for a shorter period of time.
Like almost all other proteins, shrimp usually has a sell by date and it doesn’t have an expiration date or a use by date. Because of that, you can use shrimp for preparing your favorite meals even beyond the sell by date. It is known that headless shrimp will last several days longer than the shrimp that are head-on. Cooked shrimp can last for up to 4 days if they are stored in the fridge. Frozen shrimp can last for 8 to 12 months if they are stored in the freezer safe containers or bags.
How to Store Shrimp Properly?
The best way to extend the shelf life of shrimp is to store them in the fridge immediately after purchasing. Raw shrimp should be stored in their original packaging and you should store them separately from cooked foods in order to prevent cross contamination. When shrimp is prepared, it should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
It is recommended to store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator. You should refrigerate a shrimp within two hours of cooking. It is important to keep shrimp away from moisture and other contaminants, because if there is any moisture on shrimp it will go bad quickly.
If you want to store shrimp for a long term, it is best to freeze them. Don’t worry, the shrimp will preserve its flavor if you place it in a freezer safe container or in a heavy-duty freezer bag.
How To Tell if Shrimp Has Gone Bad?
Your senses will help you tell if the shrimp has gone bad. If the shrimp is rancid it will be smelly and the flesh will be slimy. It will probably have a distinct fishy odor, which is the sign that your shrimp has gone bad. In this case you should throw away the shrimp.
Also, shrimp will change in color. Normally, shrimp is grayish or brownish, but if it looks pink, it means that the shrimp has gone bad. If you are not sure whether shrimp is fine or rancid, you should discard it, just in case. You should always have in mind that spoiled foods are usually associated to certain health risks.
Summary
As you have seen, shrimp is used in cuisines all over the world. This seafood can last several months if it is frozen and if it is stored in an airtight container. The most important is to keep it away from moisture. Cooked shrimp can last in the fridge only a couple of days. But, you will easily notice if the shrimp has gone bad. It will smell fishy and it will change in color.
Also, the flavor won’t be the same. If you notice that your shrimp has gone bad you should throw it away.
