Buying Fresh Shrimp? Here’s What to Consider
December 14, 2020

Wild American Shrimp are naturally delicious either frozen or fresh. But if you’re buying fresh shrimp, how can you know your potential purchase is truly fresh?
- Shrimp that have been freshly caught still have the heads on. Heads should be removed before shrimp are frozen, to prevent mushy texture.
- Make sure there is no “fishy” smell. Fresh shrimp, like other seafood, should smell clean, like saltwater, or the sea.
- Next, press the body of the shrimp with your finger. If your finger leaves an indentation, that shrimp isn’t fresh. The flesh of a fresh one will spring back.
- Similarly, check the legs. Rub your finger along the legs, and if they easily come back in place, that is a fresh shrimp.
- Are the eyes intact and glossy? Choose those.
Here, Chef Todd Mohr shows what to look for at the seafood market (no matter where you are):
Now that you know you have fresh shrimp, here’s a dish to try from Chef Michael DeBuono:
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