One of the best things in life is cooking and eating with people you care about, but it’s not always easy to decide what to make. When you have a bunch of go-to recipes, making dinner is less stressful, especially when you have to make something at the last minute.
Below are 12 quick and easy meals that anyone can make at any time that are sure to please.
Prawns are a delicious and popular seafood that can be a great addition to many dishes. However like any perishable food, prawns have a limited shelf life and can go bad quickly if not stored properly. Many people wonder if prawns are still safe to eat if they are just one day past the expiry date printed on the packaging.
How Long Do Prawns Last When Properly Stored?
The shelf life of prawns depends on whether they are raw or cooked
- Raw prawns last 2-3 days from the purchase date if kept chilled at 40°F or below.
- Cooked prawns last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing prawns can significantly extend their shelf life
- Raw prawns can be frozen for up to 6 months at 0°F.
- Cooked prawns can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Once thawed, prawns should be eaten within 1-2 days and cooked prawns within 2-3 days.
Proper Storage of Prawns
To maximize the freshness and shelf life of prawns:
- Use fresh raw prawns within 2 days of purchasing. Keep chilled on ice or refrigerated.
- Cooked prawns should be eaten within 2-3 days of cooking. Store in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Freeze prawns in freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.
- Thaw frozen prawns overnight in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Cook raw thawed prawns immediately. Eat cooked thawed prawns within 2 days.
Are Prawns Safe to Eat One Day Past Expiry?
Eating prawns just one day past the expiry date printed on the packaging is generally not recommended. Here’s why:
- Expiry dates account for some margin of error. Eating prawns right on the expiry date is still risky.
- Bacteria like Salmonella, Vibrio, Listeria and E. Coli can grow quickly on perishable seafood like prawns, even when refrigerated.
- Eating spoiled prawns can cause foodborne illness, with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Vulnerable groups like children, elderly and pregnant women face higher risks.
- Prawns past their prime tend to have an unpleasant odor, mushy texture and fishy taste.
So it’s better to be cautious and avoid eating prawns that are a day or more past the expiry date, even if refrigerated. The safety risk outweighs the potential cost savings.
How to Tell if Prawns Have Gone Bad
Look for these signs that indicate spoilage in raw or cooked prawns:
- Slimy flesh with dull or discolored appearance
- Black spots on the shells
- Soft, mushy texture
- Bad, sour, ammonia-like or fishy odor
- Milky colored eyes
- Unpleasant taste
Prawns exhibiting these signs should be discarded, even if they are within the expiry date. Trust your senses. When in doubt, throw it out.
Tips to Safely Handle, Store and Cook Prawns
Here are some tips to prevent foodborne illnesses from prawns:
- Buy fresh, refrigerated prawns from reputable sellers. Avoid pre-peeled prawns.
- Check the expiry date and ensure prawns will be used by then.
- Keep raw prawns chilled at 40°F or below and use within 2 days.
- Cook prawns thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Don’t cross-contaminate. Use separate boards and utensils for raw prawns.
- Wash hands, surfaces, boards and utensils after handling raw prawns.
- Refrigerate cooked prawns in airtight containers and use within 3 days.
- Freeze prawns for longer storage. Thaw safely in the fridge overnight.
Following proper storage, handling and cooking guidelines reduces the risks when eating prawns.
Safe Ways to Use Prawns Past Expiry
If you’ve frozen prawns properly before their expiry date, they can still be safely eaten for up to 6 months in the freezer.
You can also cook expired fresh prawns thoroughly until hot (145°F internal temperature) to kill bacteria. Use them in dishes like stir fries, soups or casseroles.
However, it’s still best to use fresh prawns by the expiry date for optimal quality and safety. If they look or smell bad, it’s better to be cautious and discard them.
The Bottom Line
Eating prawns just one day past the printed expiry date is risky due to potential bacterial growth. For safety, it’s advisable to follow storage instructions and use prawns by the expiry date. Check for signs of spoilage and discard prawns that look, smell or feel slimy or off. With proper handling, cooking and storage, prawns can be enjoyed safely within their prime shelf life. When in doubt, remember – safety first. Don’t eat prawns past their expiry.
Triple Layer Nachos
As one of America’s favorite fast food outlets, there are plenty of people looking to replicate the flavorsome recipes of Taco Bell. These nachos are based on its triple layer nacho recipe from Mashed, and despite only having five ingredients, taste pretty similar to the fast food original.
You will need a lot of tortilla chips, refried beans, milk, nacho cheese sauce or queso dip, and taco sauce. They’re easy to make after a long day at work or school because they only take 10 minutes to cook. Experiment with different brands of cheese sauce until you find the one that you like the most.
Rumor has it that sloppy joes were conceived in Iowa by a man named Joe as an evolution of the loose meat sandwiches that were popular in the early 20th century. This easy recipe from Graceful Little Honey Bee is a classic, and it couldn’t be any more simple to make. What’s more, it’s wonderfully tasty and you can make it in under 15 minutes.
Most of the ingredients are likely to be in your pantry, but if not, you won’t have to spend much to get them. The beef should be browned and then mixed with ketchup, mustard, a little brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. The mixture should then be put in burger buns and topped with sliced cheese.
Chicken Caesar Pita Wraps
Caesar salad was invented in California by an Italian chef in 1924, and it’s as popular as ever today. You can make this stress-free recipe from SweetPhi with romaine lettuce, store-bought dressing, pita, chicken and parmesan cheese in 10 minutes, and the outcome is impressive.
Just toast the pita bread, cut the chicken and lettuce into small pieces, and put the wraps together however you like. You can change how much sauce you use and how salty and cheesy they are by adding more Parmesan. Less cheese and dressing makes the wraps lower in fat, while more gives them a restaurant-style taste.
This creamy, indulgent pasta recipe from Erren’s Kitchen is ideal for days when you’re in need of comfort food. It takes just 20 minutes to make and will have everyone asking for seconds, from fussy kids to foodie adults. The secret ingredients are a pinch of nutmeg, fresh garlic and freshly chopped parsley.
Never cook the pasta past al dente. Instead, add the sauce and finish cooking it. A little pasta water should be saved in case it gets too thick. Use a small amount to loosen the pasta. Always use high-fat cream so you don’t need to use a thickener or make a roux.
How Long Can Frozen Shrimp Stay in the Fridge? ANSWERED
FAQ
Can I eat prawns after use-by date?
Can you eat 1 day old prawns?
Can you eat prawns a day late?
Can you eat a prawns sandwich 1 day out of date?
How long do prawns last?
Prawns have a shelf life of about 2-3 days from the day of purchase if stored properly in the refrigerator. Both cooked and raw prawns have the same shelf life when stored correctly, so it’s important to only buy prawns when you’re sure you’ll be cooking them within two to three days.
Can you eat prawns a day out of date?
While some people may argue that it’s safe to consume prawns that are a day out of date, there is a risk of bacterial growth on the prawns, which can lead to food poisoning. It’s worth noting that if your prawns were stored properly in the freezer before the use-by date, you can still use them after the date has passed.
When do prawns go off?
Nor does the supermarket know exactly when a food will go off, the date is likely an average expected date, so many products, including your prawns will be fine past your use by date. As long as they have been stored appropriately, seem fresh to sight, smell and even touch, and you plan on cooking them well it should be fine.
Can you eat expired prawns?
It’s important to note that even if the prawns have been stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer, they may still be unsafe to eat once the use-by date has passed. The quality and flavor of the prawns may also begin to degrade after the expiration date.