How long does cooked shrimp last in the fridge?

Cooked shrimp keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder, and 1 to 3 months in the freezer for best quality. Those are the times in the USDA FoodKeeper for cooked shellfish. UK guidance is stricter for cooked leftovers: eat them within 2 days. Raw shrimp keeps a much shorter time, so cook or freeze it soon after you buy it.

How long does shrimp last? The short answer

• Cooked shrimp, in the fridge: 3 to 4 days.
• Cooked shrimp, in the freezer: 1 to 3 months for best quality.
• Raw shrimp, in the fridge: 1 to 3 days.
• Raw shrimp, in the freezer: 6 to 18 months for best quality.
• At room temperature: no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).

Shrimp salad, like other seafood salads, keeps 3 to 4 days and does not freeze well.

How should you store cooked shrimp?

Cool it and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking, in a sealed container on a shelf in the main part of the fridge, not in the door. If you bought it already cooked, go by the use-by date on the pack, and once opened use it within 3 to 4 days.

Can you freeze cooked shrimp?

Yes. Spread the shrimp on a tray to freeze, then bag them with the air pressed out so they do not freeze in a block. Use within 1 to 3 months; after that they are still safe but turn dry and rubbery. Thaw them overnight in the fridge, or in a sealed bag in cold water. More in how to thaw meal prep safely and how to prevent freezer burn.

How should you cook and reheat shrimp?

Cook raw shrimp until the flesh is pearly and opaque, which is the US government's guidance for shellfish. Cooked shrimp toughens quickly when reheated, so heat it gently and briefly until steaming hot, or add it to a hot sauce, soup or stir-fry at the end. Cold cooked shrimp is fine in salads and bowls. See how to reheat meal prep.

How can you tell if shrimp has gone off?

A sour, ammonia-like or strong fishy smell, a slimy feel, or grey-green or black spots mean throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out.

How do you use shrimp in meal prep?

Shrimp cooks in minutes, which makes it a good protein for stir-fries and rice bowls: swap it into a bowl such as garlic chicken and rice bowls and cook it for the last few minutes only. For other seafood, see how long cooked salmon lasts and the sheet-pan salmon. For all leftovers, see how long meal prep lasts.

Sources

• USDA FoodKeeper (storage times by food)
• FoodSafety.gov: safe minimum internal temperatures
• USDA: leftovers and food safety
• UK government: how to chill, freeze and defrost food safely