Ever bought too many shrimp on sale and wondered how long they’ll last in your freezer? I’ve been there! As someone who loves cooking seafood, I’ll share everything you need to know about keeping those tasty crustaceans fresh in your freezer.
Quick Answer
Raw shrimp can last in your freezer for:
- 1-2 months: Best quality
- 3-6 months: Good quality
- 6-12 months: Still edible but may lose some texture/flavor
How to Properly Freeze Raw Shrimp
Here’s my tried-and-true method for freezing shrimp:
- Pick fresh shrimp – avoid any that smell fishy or look dull
- Clean and devein (shell on = better flavor protection)
- Dry thoroughly
- Freeze on baking sheet (about 2 hours)
- Transfer to freezer bags
- Remove air from bags
- Label with date
- Store at 0°F or below
Storage Tips for Best Results
We’ve found these tips make a huge difference
- Use quality freezer bags or vacuum seal if possible
- Double wrap for extra protection
- Store in coldest part of freezer (usually back center)
- Don’t keep in freezer door
- Maintain constant 0°F temperature
- Use oldest shrimp first
Signs Your Frozen Shrimp Has Gone Bad
Toss your shrimp if you notice:
- Funky fishy or ammonia smell
- Mushy texture
- Grayish color
- Freezer burn spots
- Ice crystals
- Slimy surface
- Mold
- Dark spots
What About Cooked Shrimp?
Cooked shrimp don’t last as long as raw in the freezer I recommend
- Cool completely before freezing
- Use within 2-3 months
- Store in airtight container
- Remove excess moisture
Thawing Frozen Shrimp Safely
Never thaw on counter! Instead:
- Thaw overnight in fridge
- OR run cold water over sealed package
- Cook immediately after thawing
- Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp
Special Cases
Marinated Shrimp
When freezing marinated shrimp:
- Use mild marinades (not too acidic)
- Freeze up to 2-3 months
- Seal extra tight to prevent leaks
Shell-On vs. Peeled
You can freeze either way but shells help protect flavor and texture. Your choice depends on how you’ll use them later.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Portion before freezing – thaw only what you need
- Label everything with dates
- Check freezer temp regularly
- Use within recommended timeframes
- When in doubt, throw it out!
Remember, these guidelines assume constant proper freezer temperature. Any power outages or temperature fluctuations can affect storage time.
Would you like me to explain anything in more detail? Drop a comment below!
#Seafood #KitchenTips #Cooking #FoodStorage
Can Splenda® (sucralose) be used in preserving food?
Granular Splenda® does not provide preservative properties like sugar.
Canning Fruits: Whereas we do not have published research work with using sucralose in the canning of fruits at home available to us, it is possible to use it for sweetening the water used to cover fruits when canning. The texture and color preserving aspects of a sugar syrup will not be provided. The result would be like canning in water except for the additional sweetness contributed by the Splenda®. The USDA fruit canning directions do allow for canning in water (i.e., without a sugar syrup), as there is adequate preservation for safety from the heat of proper canning. Some people do notice an aftertaste in other products and canned fruits, and it is possible some little changes in natural flavors may occur over storage time, since sugar can mask some of these. For people used to sucralose sweetening and flavors, the aftertaste may not be an issue. Based on some of our experiences in canning peaches and pickled foods, we suggest you start seeing what you like by trying less than a full substitution for the sugar in canning syrups. For example, if you use a medium sugar syrup that is 5-/14 cups water to 2-1/4 cups sugar, try 1 to 1-1/4 cups Splenda® the first time. You can always sweeten more when you serve the finished product if it is not quite sweet enough; then you can increase the canning liquid amount the next time you can.
Preserves and Pickled Fruits: In other cases, where sugar is important, like some preserves or pickled fruits, it is not recommended that substitution of Splenda® be used for sugar if the product is to be canned for shelf stability. Splenda® cannot be used in several traditional Southern preserves we have on this website or in the University of Georgia Extension publications. These are whole or uniform pieces of fruit in a very thick sugar syrup, usually made with figs, peaches or pears. (These preserves are not jam or pectin gel products.) Sugar is required for the preservation of these syrupy fruit preserves as published, with very short boiling water canner processes. Without that heavy amount of sugar, these products become fruit pieces canned in water or lighter sugar syrups, and the usual (and longer) fruit canning process times and preparation directions would need to be used.
Jams and Jellies, or Fruit Spreads: You could use Splenda® as the optional sweetener in a jam or jelly made with a no-sugar needed pectin, such as Mrs. Wages™ Lite Home Jell® Fruit Pectin, Ball® No-Sugar Needed Pectin or Sure-Jell® for Less or No-Sugar-Needed Recipes. With these low-methoxyl pectins, no sugar is required at all. Sugar substitutes can be added as desired simply for flavor. The package inserts with these pectins give instructions on when to add the sugar substitutes (usually after all the cooking, right before filling the jars). Do not try to substitute Splenda® for the required sugar in recipes calling for “regular” liquid and powdered pectins.
And do not try to substitute Splenda® in long-boil or no-pectin-added jams and jellies intended for room temperature storage as a canned product. You might get some thickened fruit spreads with just fruit and Splenda®, but they may not have enough water control for processing like a gelled, high sugar-containing jam or jelly. They might require longer processing to avoid spoilage at room temperature. If you want to experiment with making these kind of fruit spreads we recommend freezing or refrigeration for storage.
We have developed three recipes using Splenda® and they are on our website, www.homefoodpreservation.com. They are quick pickled sweet cucumber slices, pickled beets and pickled cantaloupe. They are under the How do I….Pickle category, as well as National Center factsheets, http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/nchfp/factsheets.html.
There is also a Peach-Pineapple Reduced Sugar Fruit Spread from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning that does not require added sugar. Some other fruit substitutions are provided in the text. The suggested sugar for sweetening can be left out, or you can add some Splenda® as desired for sweetness. The process time is longer than regular jams and jellies, and is like that for a fruit puree. http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_07/peach_pineapple_spread.html
Is it safe to freeze fruits without sugar?
Yes; sugar is not used as a preservative but only to maintain flavor, color and texture.
How Long Can Frozen Shrimp Stay in the Fridge? ANSWERED
FAQ
Is 2 year old frozen shrimp still good?
Frozen shrimp can generally last a long time if stored properly. If the shrimp has been kept at a consistent freezing temperature (0°F or -18°C), it is likely still safe to eat after two years. However, the quality may have deteriorated, affecting its taste and texture.
How can you tell if shrimp has been in the freezer too long?
Here’s how to tell if shrimp has gone bad: Freezer Burn: White or grayish dry spots on shrimp indicate freezer burn.Mar 5, 2025
How do you know if shrimp has gone bad?
An ammonia-like odor or a smell that’s off from the typical ocean briny scent is a sure sign that the shrimp is bad. If it smells strange, it’s best to avoid eating it.Sep 30, 2024
Can you eat frozen shrimp with freezer burn?
Yes, you can eat frozen shrimp that has freezer burn.