National Shrimp Day is celebrated on May 10th each year. Considering Americans eat more shrimp than any other fish, take a day to celebrate this delicious seafood. Afterall, who doesn’t love a fresh shrimp cocktail or a delicious shrimp salad?
Shrimp has an impressive nutrition profile:
- A 3 oz. serving of shrimp provides about 85 calories and a whopping 20 grams of protein.
- Shrimp contains numerous vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
- Shrimp is low in fat and rich in heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
- It is true that shrimp was shunned for years because of its high cholesterol content and the association with heart disease.
- In the past, the daily recommended allowance of cholesterol was 300 mg/day. A 3 oz. serving of shrimp contains about 161 mg of cholesterol.
- Of note, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for America do not specify daily limits for cholesterol. Instead, recommendations include limiting cholesterol when possible while maintaining a healthy diet.
- Current research shows that dietary cholesterol may only have a small impact on blood cholesterol levels, except for a small minority of the population that is sensitive to dietary cholesterol. But – remember, moderation is everything.
- Shrimp contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin which is believed to help reduce inflammation and contribute to heart and brain health. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that is a component of algae that is consumed by shrimp. This carotenoid is responsible for the reddish color of shrimp cells.
Like many other nutritious foods, the way shrimp is prepared can make or break a meal. If battered and fried or loaded with butter, shrimp is no longer a healthful option. Methods like grilling, steaming, or baking the crustacean is a more wholesome choice. When it comes to seasonings, it is good bet to stick with fresh herbs and spices, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh citrus to boost flavor.
Shrimp may seem like a straightforward seafood choice to make. When visiting the seafood counter at McCaffrey’s, keep the following tips in mind:
- Shrimp can be peeled, deveined, and steamed to order! Just call your McCaffrey’s and ask to speak to the Seafood Department.
- Most recipes call for a certain size of shrimp. The numbers displayed in the case simply represent the amount of shrimp per pound. For example, extra-large shrimp contain 26-30 shrimp per pound while jumbo shrimp contain 16-20 shrimp per pound. The smaller the number of shrimp per pound, the larger the shrimp are.
- In addition to shrimp size, you can choose between fresh, frozen tail-on, peeled and deveined, cooked or raw.
- Choose between wild caught or farmed fish as well as different varieties. Be assured, any fish sold at McCaffrey’s are sourced from high quality, reputable fisheries. As always, the fish monger at McCaffrey’s will be happy to address any questions.
Once you get your shrimp home, be sure to store properly:
- Keep raw shrimp refrigerated in the coldest part of the refrigerator in an airtight container or the original packaging.
- Raw, shelled shrimp lasts 1-2 days, while raw, shell on shrimp can last for 2-3 days.
- Cooked shrimp can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- Shrimp can be frozen for up to 3 months in airtight containers or in vacuum-sealed bags.
Here are a few great recipes to enjoy on National Shrimp Day:
Don’t miss out on this Shrimp and Grits recipe. A Southern favorite, shrimp and grits are typically loaded with heavy cream and butter. This quick, gluten free version swaps in cauliflower rice mixed with creamy coconut milk and cheddar cheese for a smooth “grits” base topped with tasty garlic shrimp.
This Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa is the perfect fare for brunch, lunch or a light dinner. High in protein and low in carbohydrate, this healthy, easy seafood dish makes a great impression every time.
Grilled Lime Shrimp marinated in lime juice and cilantro give these high protein shrimp kebabs a refreshing flavor. Perfect for the grill, serve them as an appetizer or with some brown rice for a light entrée.
Stir Fry Sesame Shrimp is a one-pot meal that offers a well-balanced and complete dinner. With water chestnuts, snow peas, red pepper and brown rice, this is an easy recipe that can be made in 30 minutes.
Find many more shrimp dishes here or check out the shrimp offerings in our Prepared Food Case!
