Hey seafood lovers! I’ve been getting tons of questions about where to find those amazing royal red shrimp, and today I’m gonna spill all the tea on these incredible ocean treasures Trust me, once you try these babies, regular shrimp just won’t cut it anymore!
What Makes Royal Red Shrimp So Special?
Before we dive into where to buy them let me tell ya why these aren’t your average grocery store shrimp
- They taste like a combo of lobster and bay scallops (seriously!)
- Super tender texture that melts in your mouth
- Naturally sweet and buttery flavor
- Gorgeous deep red color even when raw
- Bigger than regular shrimp varieties
- All-natural with no chemical treatments
Best Places to Buy Royal Red Shrimp
1. Intershell Seafood (Online)
- Fresh and frozen options available
- 3 lb packages of wild-caught USA shrimp
- 12/14 count size
- Ships frozen with dry ice
- Price: $39.95 for 3 lb package
- Located in Gloucester, MA
2. Key West Seafood Market (Online)
- IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) with shell on
- 16/20 count size
- Price: $18.95 per pound
- Ships overnight
- Fresh from local fishermen
- Flash-frozen for maximum freshness
3. Local Seafood Markets (Gulf Coast Region)
Your best bet for fresh royal reds is visiting markets along the Gulf Coast especially in
- Florida
- Alabama
- Mississippi
Ordering Tips
When buying royal red shrimp, keep these things in mind:
- Shipping Schedule
- Orders usually ship Wednesday-Friday
- Cut-off times vary by vendor (typically 2-3:30 PM)
- Plan ahead for special occasions
- Storage Requirements
- Keep frozen until ready to use
- Thaw overnight in fridge
- Don’t refreeze after thawing
- Size Guide
- 12/14 count = jumbo size
- 16/20 count = large size
- Numbers indicate shrimp per pound
Cooking Your Royal Reds
Here’s the cool thing about royal reds – they cook way faster than regular shrimp! Here’s what ya need to know:
- Cook time: Half the time of regular shrimp
- Best cooking methods:
- Steaming
- Boiling
- Grilling
- Pan-searing
- Light frying
Why They’re Worth the Price
I know what you’re thinking – these shrimp ain’t cheap! But lemme tell you why they’re worth every penny:
- Higher nutritional value than farm-raised shrimp
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- No chemicals or preservatives
- Superior taste and texture
- Support domestic fishing industry
Pro Tips for Buying
-
Seasonal Availability
These beauties can be hard to find sometimes! They’re especially popular during summer months, so plan accordingly. -
Quantity Planning
For a dinner party, plan on:
- Appetizer: 1/4 pound per person
- Main course: 1/2 pound per person
- Fresh vs. Frozen
- Fresh: Amazing but harder to find
- Frozen: Nearly as good and more convenient
- Both options work great for most recipes
Where They Come From
Royal red shrimp are harvested from:
- Deep Atlantic waters
- Gulf of America
- Primarily off Florida’s coast
- Depths that make them harder to catch than regular shrimp
Storage and Handling
Once you get your hands on these precious shrimp:
- If Frozen:
- Keep at 0°F or below
- Use within 6 months
- Thaw slowly in refrigerator
- If Fresh:
- Use within 2 days
- Keep on ice
- Store in coldest part of fridge
Final Thoughts
Listen up, fam – I’ve tried pretty much every type of shrimp out there, and royal reds are seriously something special. Yeah, they might cost a bit more, and yeah, you might have to plan ahead to get them, but trust me when I say they’re worth the extra effort!
Whether you’re cooking up a fancy dinner party or just want to treat yourself to something amazing, these deep-water delicacies will knock your socks off. Just remember to order from reputable sellers, follow the cooking instructions (don’t overcook these babies!), and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite seafood!
Pro tip: If you’re ordering online for the first time, start with a smaller quantity to test the waters. Once you’re hooked (pun totally intended!), you can go all in on bigger orders.
Would you like me to explain any part of this article in more detail?
What Are Royal Red Shrimp?
When I spotted some Royal Red Shrimp at my grocery store recently, I had to snap them up. They’re really unique. They’re found 430 fathoms deep (that’s like half a mile) and are difficult (and thus not super-profitable) for fishermen to catch. This special seafood is found in a wide range, but the best spot for them is the Gulf Coast between the Florida panhandle and Mississippi. Royal Red season is late summer to late fall, with the peak harvest in September, but because they are usually flash frozen on the boats, you can enjoy them year-round.
They have a sweeter and more buttery flavor than other shrimp, a bit like lobster even. The coolest thing is that they’re pink even before you cook them. See:
Argentine Red Shrimp are similar and come from the cold waters off the far southern tip of Argentina in that Atlantic ocean. Use my Garlic Butter Argentine Shrimp recipe if you have that kind instead.
How To Cook Royal Red Shrimp
I melted 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Then I added 1 pound of the peeled and deveined Royal Reds (note that domestic shrimp like these are rarely sold already peeled and deveined so you’ll probably need to do this yourself. Check out this great video for that over here, but note that the Royal Reds’ veins are not always black. Sometimes they’re more red, pink, or coral.
I stirred the shrimp as they cooked. This kind of shrimp cooks more quickly than regular ones. These took only 2-3 minutes at the low temperature. As soon as they were all cooked, I immediately transferred them to a plate so that the heat from the pan wouldn’t keep cooking them. I’ve read that Royal Reds are not at all good if over-cooked and didn’t want to take the chance.
What else do you need to do? I added a sprinkle of salt and served them up. Isn’t it great to taste something new in its purest way? Just butter and salt on these babies.
Some people like to do a garlic butter for these or finish with lemons and parsley. You can absolutely use these in a regular shrimp recipe or serve with a sauce, but I encourage you to try them simply first so you can detect the difference in flavor from other shrimp.
I hope you find them at a store near you and that you love them as much as I do. Can’t find them? Well, I guess you better plan a tour of some Gulf Coast restaurants!
Can’t find Royal Reds but still craving shrimp? Try some of these other popular shrimp recipes.
Royal Red Shrimp | Goldens’ Cast Iron Cooker | Heath Riles
FAQ
Where do you find royal red shrimp?
Royal Red shrimp are a true delicacy, renowned for their rich, lobster-like flavor and tender, succulent texture. These deep-water beauties are harvested from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Gulf of America.
What is the season for royal red shrimp?
The royal red shrimp season lasts from late summer to late fall, with peak season being September. Not very many fishermen are licensed to harvest royal reds, so most flash freeze their catches on the boat after hauling them in.
Why are royal red shrimp so expensive?
So fishermen need to be careful, and, in the case of the Gulf, they need powerful freezers on board. Only the Stonington reds are not flash-frozen on board. All this makes them pricier than other American shrimp, and much more expensive than those crappy Southeast Asian shrimp you buy for pennies.
Where are royal red shrimp caught in the USA?
Royal red shrimp are tender, salty-sweet and one of the most unique harvestable species of shrimp in all of Florida.