Fridge storage

How long does shrimp last in the fridge?

About 1 day for raw shrimp. USDA gives 1 to 2 days; Well Stockd plans on the short end.

Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.

How we checked this: the storage times here come from USDA FoodKeeper and USDA FSIS, plus any other source named on the page, and each one is checked against its source before the page goes live. Editorial policy

How long it keeps

Raw, in the fridge
1 to 2 days refrigerated Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Shrimp, crayfish (opens in a new tab)
Cooked
3 to 4 days refrigerated Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or egg (opens in a new tab)
Freezer
About 6 months (180 days) at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the time is about texture and flavor. Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Shrimp, crayfish (opens in a new tab)Compare freezer times for other foods on the printable freezer storage chart.
How to store it
On ice in a colander over a bowl so meltwater drains away. Most supermarket shrimp was previously frozen; refreezing thawed shrimp costs texture.
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How to tell if shrimp has gone bad

Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.

Throw it out at once if you see:

  • Ammonia smell: discard immediately
  • Slimy shells

Warning signs (throw it out if you notice more than one):

  • Black spots spreading on the shell
  • Mushy flesh

Sources and limits

That’s not long. If you won’t use it in time, freeze it, or check FoodKeeper’s freezing advice for this food.

Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

USDA FSIS gives raw shellfish 1 to 2 days, FoodKeeper gives raw shrimp 1 to 3, and the FoodSafety.gov chart allows 3 to 5; Well Stockd plans on the short end.

The times in the table come from USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS guidance on refrigerated storage, and any source named beside a row. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .

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