National Fried Shrimp Day

Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Dec 22, 2023 By Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Originally Published on Feb 05, 2022
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
National Fried Shrimp Day is the best excuse to cook a big bowl of fried shrimp.

Where is National Fried Shrimp Day celebrated?

National Shrimp Day is an annual celebration that takes place in the United States of America every year. This day is dedicated to celebrating fried shrimp, a delicious dish made by deep-frying shrimp in oil, just like french fries or deep-fried bacon. This day is also known as National French Fried Shrimp Day.

Who is National Fried Shrimp Day celebrated by?

This day is mainly celebrated by those who absolutely love fried shrimp. It is also a day of celebration for various restaurants and chefs, particularly those who specialize in seafood recipes.

When did National Fried Shrimp Day first start?

The exact origins of National Fried Shrimp Day remain a mystery. However, fried shrimp have been around for a very very long time.

Historical evidence suggests Portuguese cooks of the 16th century were the first to deep fry shrimps dipped in the batter. Eventually, this date made its way to Japan, from where it spread to the United States in the 19th century.

Who started National Fried Shrimp Day?

It is not known who started this day. Nevertheless, December 21 is worth being marked on the calendar, especially for those who love to eat shrimp and those who love preparing shrimp.

History And Timeline

While the exact history of National Fried Shrimp Day remains a mystery, continue reading to find interesting historical facts related to shrimp and fried shrimp.

Summary: A shrimp fest was first hosted by Lawrence's Fish and Shrimp company, which had all kinds of shrimp-related food, including fried shrimp.

First Fried Shrimp

According to historic evidence, the first fried shrimp was created by Portuguese cooks. They dipped the shrimp in batter and subsequently deep fried it, to give rise to this mouth-watering delicacy.

15oos

Fried Shrimp Introduced To The US

With settlers from all over moving to the United States, fried shrimp was introduced in the country in the 20th century. During this time, fried shrimp was particularly popular in the southern states.

1900s

Mechanical Harvesting Of Shrimp

By 1917, with the introduction of mechanical harvesting, shrimp became popular all over the country, from north to south.

1917

Frozen Shrimp Becomes Popular

After the end of World War II, frozen shrimp was introduced and became immensely popular.

1945

Shrimp Fest In Chicago

A shrimp fest was first hosted by Lawrence's Fish and Shrimp company, which had all kinds of shrimp-related food, including fried shrimp.

2018

Traditions And Customs

Usually, National Shrimp Day is celebrated by making this delicious dish. It is quite easy to make fried shrimp. The recipe for this dish includes large shrimp, flour, salt, oil (like olive oil), egg, sugar, and cocktail sauce. After deep-frying, fried shrimp can be served with lettuce and mayonnaise.

Ways To Celebrate National Fried Shrimp Day

The best way to celebrate this day is by eating fried shrimp. This is also a great day to not just cook shrimp, but also experiment with various deep-fried shrimp recipes.

You can also have your friends and family over to share this amazing treat with. Apart from the delicious golden brown fried shrimp, you can also serve the famous shrimp cocktail and other seafood, like prawns.

Facts And Stats

  • National Fried Shrimp Day takes place on December 21 every year.
  • This day is celebrated across the US by cooking golden-brown fried shrimp, also known as French-fried shrimp.
  • This is not just a great day to cook shrimp, but also ideal to learn about the history of the fried shrimp dish.

Is there a National Shrimp Day?

Yes, there is a National Shrimp Day. It takes place on December 21 every year. 

How long does shrimp take to fry?

Usually, frying shrimp in oil takes about two to three minutes.

Do shrimp float when they are done frying?

Yes, once shrimps have been fried long enough, they tend to float to the top.

How celebrating National Fried Shrimp Day can freshen up you?

National Fried Shrimp Day is the perfect excuse to cook and eat delicious deep-fried shrimp, one of the best seafood dishes out there. While this may not be healthy food, shrimp is good for our circulatory system. Additionally, the taste of this dish will instantly make one's day better.

How do families celebrate National Fried Shrimp Day?

Families generally celebrate this day by having a get-together that is fried shrimp-themed, and has deep-fried shrimp as the main delicacy, along with other seafood items. Overall, one billion pounds of shrimp are eaten by Americans, annually. 

Why kids are so excited for National Fried Shrimp Day?

Kids usually love to eat fried shrimp due to its amazing taste and crunchy texture. Hence, kids are always excited to celebrate National Fried Shrimp Day.

How National Fried Shrimp Day is different from National Shrimp Day?

While both are food holidays, National Shrimp Day is a day to celebrate shrimp, a treat for every seafood-lover. On the other hand, National Fried Shrimp Day is dedicated to a specific shrimp recipe, fried shrimp.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, December 21, 2020
  • Tuesday, December 21, 2021
  • Wednesday, December 21, 2022
  • Thursday, December 21, 2023
  • Saturday, December 21, 2024

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Written by Rajnandini Roychoudhury

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

Rajnandini Roychoudhury picture

Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature. 

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Naman Khanna picture

Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

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