If you’re planning a meal with prawns or bought more than you needed, it’s likely you’re wondering how long you can keep them in the fridge. The good news is that both raw and cooked prawns have a similar shelf life when they’re correctly stored, which means you can plan your shopping and cooking accordingly. Here’s what you need to know.
How long do cooked prawns last in the fridge?
As a standard time, prawns will last in the fridge for 2-3 days, at a temperature between 0 and 4 degrees.
According to the NSW Food Authority, prawns should be put in the fridge as soon as possible and consumed within three days of their purchase. This rule applies whether the prawns are raw or cooked.
Similar to other seafood, you should also keep prawns as cold as possible between when you buy them and when you refrigerate them. The NSW Food Authority recommends taking a cooler bag or Esky with ice in it and buying seafood last.
The USDA’s guide to refrigerating food has similar guidelines, emphasising that keeping your perishables cold is key to maintaining food safety, as the lower temperature will discourage bacterial growth. Put your cooked and raw prawns in the coldest part of your refrigerator to inhibit fungi and bacteria, and maximise their freshness.
Can you freeze cooked prawns?
Yes, according to the NSW Food Authority, you can freeze cooked prawns for up to three months as long as they haven’t been frozen before. The same goes for uncooked prawns.
How to store prawns
Whether they’re cooked or raw, prawns should be placed immediately in the fridge or freezer and should never be left out in room temperature. Prawns should be kept in an airtight container or covered very tightly with plastic to decrease the chance of bacterial growth. They should also be stored with their shells and heads intact until you’re ready to prepare them.
Always observe proper food storage guidelines
A strong, sour odour from expired food is a big sign that you’re risking your health by consuming that item.
The secret to keeping your prawns safe to eat is to keep them cold and consume them as soon as possible. Remember: spoiled food can contaminate other food in your fridge, so keep track of purchase dates to avoid getting sick.
How do you know if your prawns have gone off?
If your prawns are slimy or going grey, this may be a sign that they’re too old. Slime on proteins is an indicator that lactic acid from bacteria is present, and this makes your prawns unsafe to eat. In general, seafood that smells overly fishy or funky should be tossed into the bin, as it may already be spoiled.
Another indicator that your prawns are not safe to consume is if there are green or blue spots growing on them. These spots are mould, and they can cause serious food poisoning if you eat them. Don’t keep spoiled food in your fridge: toss it out immediately to avoid contaminating any other food that you’re storing.
Does the cooking method affect the shelf life of prawns?
No, the cooking method doesn’t make a difference. Whether they were grilled for a BBQ or sauteed in garlic, food safety guidelines around the world emphasise a use-by date for prawns to know if they’re expired.
Both raw and cooked prawns or shrimp (regardless of cooking method) are safe in the fridge for up to three days from the date of purchase. However, this should be judged on a case-to-case basis. When in doubt, always rely on your sense of smell and taste to steer you clear of possible food-borne illnesses. This can be a little harder when other condiments on cooked prawns mask the taste, but as a general rule, any longer than three days for prawns is no longer a safe period for consumption.
Prawn storage guidelines
| Prawns | Fridge | Freezer |
| Fresh, unpeeled (raw) | 1-2 days | Up to 3 months |
| Fresh, peeled (raw) | 1 day | Up to 3 months |
| Cooked, unpeeled | 2-3 days | Up to 2 months |
| Cooked, peeled | 2 days | Up to 2 months |
Handy tips
- Unpeeled prawns last longer because the shell protects the flesh.
- Store prawns in the coldest part of the fridge, tightly sealed.
- Freeze prawns as soon as possible for the best quality.
- If they smell strongly fishy, sour, or ammonia-like, toss them.
Should you keep the shell on your prawns?
Yes. Peeled prawns may be more convenient to eat if you’re planning to consume leftovers, but keeping your prawns in shells during cooking and storage helps them retain their tasty juices, even when they’re reheated.
What do you do if you’ve accidentally consumed spoiled prawns?
Even if you aren’t showing signs of food poisoning like vomiting or diarrohea, stay hydrated to flush out your system. If you are running a fever, or have flu-like symptoms, consult your doctor to avoid further complications from food poisoning.
Can I eat prawns after 5 days in the fridge?
The health and safety guidelines seem pretty clear on the three day rule. So if you’ve got 5-day-old prawns in your fridge, it’s probably time to toss them.
Tips for buying prawns
To avoid being stuck with a load of prawns that can’t be eaten, it’s always best to buy them as close to the day they are being served as possible. Prawns are extremely perishable and need to be refridgerated as soon as possible after buying them.
Take a closer look at your prawns before buying them. Avoid any with blackening around the head or legs. They should smell like the sea. If you smell anything fishy or funky, keep walking. Lastly, the FoodWise website says to make sure your prawns’ heads and shells are firmly attached with “a good sheen”.
Tips for hot summer days
If you’re entertaining or going out for a BBQ on a hot summer day, we have some helpful tips to keep the prawns as fresh as possible using an esky.
1. Pre-chill everything
Chill the esky itself overnight, plus food and drinks, before packing. This will ensure it’s as cold as possible before taking it on your adventure.
2. Choose the right type of ice
Use block ice, not just cubes. Blocks melt slower and keep temps lower for longer which means keeping your prawns cold for the utmost time.
3. Layer it smartly
The key to keeping your prawns cold and fresh is all in the layering. Place ice at the bottom, food in the middle, and ice on top. Cold air sinks.
4. Keep it separate and closed
Make sure you keep your prawns, and other food seperate from drinks. A drinks-only esky gets opened constantly, so make sure your food esky is a “no-peeking” zone.
5. Shade is key
Keep the esky out of direct sun. If there isn’t any shade, wrap it in a towel or place it under a table.
6. Keep water out
Drain melted water. Water can warm food, but don’t drain it unless you’re topping up with fresh ice.
Prawn safety tips while entertaining
Summer heat and seafood are a risky mix, so timing and temperature matter. Buy seafood last on your shopping run and keep it cold at all times. Raw and cooked seafood should stay below 5°C. Store raw and cooked items separately to avoid cross-contamination, and never let prawns sit out for long – one hour max, or just 30 minutes if it’s over 30°C. When serving, keep the main platter chilled and replenish smaller plates as needed, and remember shell-on prawns last longer than peeled. If seafood feels slimy or smells strongly of ammonia, don’t risk it and throw it out.
Prawn prep for ultimate freshness
A little prep goes a long way when entertaining, especially when seafood is involved. Clear space in your fridge the day before to make room for platters and trays, and when serving outdoors, set prawns over bowls of ice to keep it properly chilled. Label leftovers with the date so nothing gets forgotten, and aim to eat cooked prawns within two days or freeze it straight away. Heading out to a lunch? Transport seafood in an esky, never loose in the boot, to keep it safe from the summer heat.
