How long does shrimp last?
In the fridge, shrimp keeps for 1 to 3 days from the package date. All 2 kinds are below.
Where these times come from. USDA FoodKeeper has no entry named "shrimp". The 2 kinds on this page are the USDA entries that cover shrimp, copied without change from Shrimp, crayfish and Shrimp, shellfish. Each row in the table is one USDA entry; pick the one that matches what you have.
No guideline
1 to 3 days
from the package date
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fresh (shrimp, crayfish) | no guideline | 1 to 3 days | no guideline | 6 to 18 months |
| purchased frozen | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline | 12 to 18 months |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does shrimp go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, shrimp may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell shrimp has gone bad
- Raw shrimp, scallop and lobster flesh should be clear with a pearl-like colour and little or no odour.
- A sour, rancid, fishy or ammonia smell in raw or cooked shellfish means do not eat it. These odours get stronger after cooking.
- Live clams, oysters and mussels should have closed shells, or shells that close when tapped. Throw out any with cracked or broken shells, and any that stay shut after cooking.
- Use fresh shellfish within 2 days of buying, kept at 40 F (4 C) or below, or freeze it. Cooked shrimp and shellfish keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Sources: Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely (FDA). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other seafood: shellfish last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.