shrimp should become opaque and firm rather than translucent.
For the most reliable food-safety check, use a food thermometer and follow the recommended safe internal temperature for shellfish.
What If the Shrimp Smells Bad?
The dark line isn’t a reliable indicator of spoilage.
Instead, pay attention to the shrimp’s overall condition.
Fresh shrimp should have a mild, clean smell. A strong ammonia-like or unpleasant odor is a warning sign.
Also be cautious with shrimp that have an unusual texture, discoloration, or other obvious signs of deterioration.
When in doubt, it’s safer to throw them away.
Should You Always Remove It?
That’s really up to you.
If you’re making a casual weeknight dinner, leaving the digestive tract intact may save a little preparation time.
If you’re serving shrimp to guests or prefer a cleaner appearance and texture, deveining is easy enough to do.
The important thing to remember is that the
