Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fresh Ocean Isle Beach Shrimp

Is there anything better than fresh shrimp? One of the best things about an Ocean Isle Beach vacation is being on the North Carolina coast…,and that can mean only one thing, you’re in the heart of fresh seafood country. This week we have all the info you need to find the freshest shrimp, prepare it, and we even have a recipe we know you’ll love.

Before we go too far… we know you’re ready to fire up that grill. First find and buy the freshest shrimp available. When buying fresh shrimp there are a few tips and tricks that will help you find the perfect shrimp.

1. Make sure you are buying local North Carolina fresh shrimp. This sounds obvious but always ask the seller to identify where the shrimp were caught. You don’t want farm-raised shrimp that was shipped halfway around the world on your plate.

2- Shrimp, even “Fresh” shrimp, are often flash frozen. This is okay but if you are going to cook it later make sure to buy it and keep it frozen.

3. Shrimp come in all different sizes.Whether you buy large (26-30 per pound) or mediums (41-50 per pound) it really is just a matter of taste. Larger shrimp do, however, work better on the grill.

4- Fresh shrimp should look plump, be firm to the touch and have the shell on them.

5- Shrimp should smell like salt water. If you smell any hint of ammonia the shrimp is not fresh.

6- Avoid shrimp with black rings or dots. This is a sign the flesh has begun to break down.

7- Fresh shrimp have an almost translucent color.

8- For the best experience fresh shrimp should be eaten within 24-hours of being purchased.

9- Do not buy frozen shrimp that has already been peeled.

10- One pound of raw shrimp in the shell is equal to about half a pound of cooked shrimp.

Where To Buy Fresh Local Shrimp

Now, that you know what to look for and what to ask your local seafood store, we figured we would give you a few places right here on Ocean Isle Beach that can help you get just the right shrimp for your favorite recipe. Many of these are within a nice bike ride or walk from your Ocean Isle Beach vacation home.

Tip- When buying shrimp bring a cooler with some ice to keep it fresh on the way home.

Peel and Devein Shrimp Like A Pro

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Then a video with world-renowned chef, Emeril Lagasse, must be worth a million. Peeling and deveining shrimp seems intimidating to a lot of people, but it needn’t be. In this instructive video, you’ll learn all the best tips and tricks on how to peel and devein your fresh and local Ocean Isle Beach shrimp catch.

Now that you know everything there is about shrimp, it’s time to book your Ocean Isle Beach vacation so you can put all this knowledge to good use wowing your friends and family with tasty dinners. Booking with us has never been easier. Just give one of our reservationists a call at 800-727-9222 or click the button below to see all of our available inventory.