Wild shrimp sometimes come with roe attached to the bellies of female shrimp. The roe looks like small, translucent pearls in shades of yellow, orange, and amber. Not all wild shrimp will have roe attached to the belly. Typically, you can expect to only find roe attached to female shrimp that are harvested during spawning season.
Shrimp roe is a cluster of eggs, resembling caviar. However, caviar is typically cured before being eaten. The roe that you might find attached to wild shrimp is not cured. So, what should you do with this roe?
Can you eat raw shrimp roe?
We recommend that you do not eat raw shrimp roe, whether from spot prawns or sidestriped shrimp. Eating raw roe that hasn't been cooked or cured can raise the risk of foodborne illness, so it’s best to cook the roe before consumption. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have a certain medical condition.
When shrimp roe or prawn roe is cooked, it is just as safe to eat as cooked shrimp. You'll know that the roe is cooked when it becomes opaque. Cooking the roe causes it to lose its caviar-like appearance and texture.
Should you remove shrimp roe?
Yes, in most cases, it’s best to remove shrimp roe before eating the shrimp. It can be removed before or after cooking the shrimp, depending on your preference.
How to Remove Shrimp Roe
First, you’ll need to defrost the shrimp. From there, removing the roe is easy. Use a small spoon to carefully scrape the roe from their bellies while their shells are still on. It should come off in bunches.
Be mindful of the fact that the shells of some varieties of shrimp are spiny. We recommend starting at the tail end and scraping the roe up the body toward where the head used to be attached.