National Shrimp Day (May 10)

ByClare Brown Updated on
Salad shrimp grilled delicious seasoning spices on wooden cutting board background appetizing cooked shrimps baked prawns , Seafood shelfish with rosemary lemon and lettuce

National Shrimp Day is one of those holidays that doesn’t need much effort, which is probably why I like it.

It’s on May 10, and realistically it just means: cook something with shrimp, or order something you wouldn’t normally pick. That’s it.

If you’ve got kids around, it turns into one of those accidental learning moments too. Mine used to assume shrimp were basically fish nuggets… so this was a good excuse to talk about what they actually are (and why they don’t look like that before they’re cooked).

If you’re working through weird holidays in May, this one’s an easy win. No prep, no pressure, just food.

When is the Holiday?

It’s celebrated every year on May 10th.

Who Invented It?

No official founder has ever been linked to National Shrimp Day, which is pretty common with food holidays.

It likely started the way most of these do, restaurants, seafood brands, and food lovers all leaning into something people already enjoy eating. And considering how popular shrimp is, it didn’t take much for it to stick.

cooked shrimp with lemon and herbs on wooden board

A Bit of History

Shrimp’s been eaten pretty much everywhere for a long time, but in the U.S. it’s especially tied to the South.

Shrimp and grits, big outdoor boils, gumbo… those aren’t “special occasion” meals, they’re just normal food in a lot of places.

At some point it also became the most eaten seafood in the country, which probably explains why it ended up with its own day. Not exactly a mystery.

washing raw shrimp under running water in kitchen sink

Fun Facts About Shrimp

Shrimp is the most eaten seafood in the U.S., which surprises people who assume it’s something like salmon.

A lot of what you buy isn’t wild at all. It’s farmed, and not always locally either.

They don’t just swim forward like fish. When they panic, they flick backwards really fast, which is why they’re so hard to catch.

Some shrimp are almost completely see-through. It’s a decent survival tactic.

They’re tiny, but they sit right in the middle of the food chain, which makes them more important than you’d think.

raw shrimp on cutting board with thyme and sea salt

Coloring Page

If you’ve got kids hovering while you’re cooking (or just asking when dinner’s ready for the fifth time), the shrimp coloring page below buys you a bit of time.

It’s simple, but it keeps them busy long enough to actually finish what you’re doing.

National Shrimp Day Coloring Page
Shrimp Coloring Sheet

Activities to Celebrate

Most people will just cook shrimp and call it a day, and honestly, that’s enough.

Something quick like shrimp tacos or pasta works fine if it’s a normal weeknight. It still feels like you’ve done something different without turning dinner into a project.

If you’re in the mood to make more of it, a shrimp boil is worth it. It’s one of those meals where everyone just stands around, eats with their hands, and no one cares about the mess. That’s half the point.

Trying something new is probably the easiest way to make this feel less routine. Garlic shrimp, a curry, even just a different seasoning than usual makes a difference.

Or skip cooking completely and order it. That still counts. Sometimes it’s actually more fun to try a random seafood place than cook something you already know.

If you want to stretch it slightly into “learning” without anyone noticing, this is a good time to mention where shrimp actually comes from. Most people (kids and adults) have no idea.

shrimp cocktail with lemon and dipping sauce in glass

Shrimp Prep Tips & Tutorials

If you don’t cook shrimp often, prepping it can feel more complicated than it actually is. These guides make it straightforward, whether you’re cleaning, thawing, or just trying not to overcook it:

seasoned cooked shrimp with lime wedges and herbs

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Links to Resources

If you want to go a bit deeper, these are genuinely useful rather than just filler links, especially if you’re buying shrimp regularly:

Related Holidays

A few quirky and food-related days that match the spirit of National Shrimp Day:

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national shrimp day may 10 cooked shrimp with lime and basil