How long can cooked shrimp be left out?

Cooked shrimp should be left out at room temperature for no more than two hours. After that, bacteria can start to grow rapidly and make the shrimp unsafe to eat.

Here's a breakdown:

* 1-2 hours: It's generally considered safe to leave cooked shrimp out for this period.

* 2-4 hours: Bacteria growth can start to occur, but may not be significant enough to cause illness.

* Over 4 hours: The risk of foodborne illness increases drastically.

Important factors to consider:

* Temperature: Warm temperatures (above 90°F) promote faster bacterial growth, so try to keep cooked shrimp in a cooler area if possible.

* Humidity: High humidity also encourages bacterial growth.

* The type of shrimp: Shrimp that has been cooked in a sauce or marinade may be slightly safer to leave out for longer periods, as the acidity of the sauce may inhibit bacterial growth.

Best practices:

* Refrigerate cooked shrimp within two hours.

* Store cooked shrimp in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

* Freeze cooked shrimp for up to 3 months.

Remember: When in doubt, throw it out! It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety.