Buying old shrimp

First and foremost, you must select your shrimp. However, it is not as simple as you may believe. Any shrimp that has been left out for an extended period of time can ruin your cooking plans. The best way to ensure that you are purchasing fresh shrimp is to inspect it before purchasing. Fresh shrimp should be firm and shiny, with a translucent appearance. Avoid any shrimp with discoloration or that appear dull and flimsy. Another way to test the freshness of shrimp is to feel and touch it. Shrimp that is slimy or sticky rather than glossy has gone bad. The same is true for shrimp with any foul odor — fresh shrimp should not smell fishy. A mild saltiness reminiscent of the ocean, on the other hand, is a good sign.

Not knowing whether your shrimp is safe to eat could jeopardize your plans for them and be harmful to your health. Illnesses caused by consuming contaminated shellfish can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains. Once you've selected fresh shrimp, keep it refrigerated until ready to use and cook it as soon as possible. Shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for one or two days, but not for more than a couple of hours.