National French Fried Shrimp Day – December 21, 2026

Expected National French Fried Shrimp Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that seafood restaurants and fast-casual chains often roll out special deals for National French Fried Shrimp Day. Look for discounts on shrimp baskets, combo meals, and family platters at places like Red Lobster, known for their endless shrimp, or Long John Silver’s, a classic for fried seafood. Local eateries and pub-style restaurants may also offer limited-time specials. Grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Kroger might feature sales on frozen breaded shrimp or fresh shrimp for home frying. Keep an eye on brands like Gorton’s and SeaPak for coupons and promotions on their frozen products. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 21 approaches.

History of National French Fried Shrimp Day

Humans have been eating shrimp since they have been on Earth, according to archeological evidence. Several sources argue that Ancient Romans and Greeks, in particular, were extremely fond of shrimp, called Squilla, and preferred it to other variations of crustaceans. The food writer Marcus Gavius Apicius shed light on the shrimp situation during the fourth or fifth century AD in his compilation of culinary writings. According to this ancient cookbook, Greeks liked to cook large shrimp and wrap them in fig leaves, while the Romans roasted them and drizzled honey over the top.

While the origins of French fried shrimp are yet to be confirmed, what we do know is that shrimp has a long history in the culinary world. Americans have probably been eating it at home for centuries since it was widely available from Southern waters in early America. However, shrimp didn’t create waves in American cookbooks until after the Civil War in 1865 when it became available in cans. Shrimp salad — whole shrimp piled up on lettuce with a mayonnaise dressing — became a popular delicacy, especially among women.

Variations of shrimp dishes broke out countrywide after the shrimp salad became a hot item on the menu. Shrimp cocktails became a staple at bougie banquets during the early 20th century. The recipe was quite similar to that of the shrimp salad, but with an extra zing. Instead of mayonnaise, a cocktail sauce was added, which was similar to oyster sauce, mixed with extra lemon or vinegar. Horseradish, Tabasco, or Worcestershire sauce could also be used.

Fried shrimp is also thought to have first appeared on menus during the early 20th century, but the breaded version did not gain popularity until after World World II ended in 1945. This is due to pre-cooked frozen shrimp entering the market and appearing on grocery-store shelves. Shrimp dinners became available across the nation, even in drive-ins, because it was a relatively cheap meal.

Today, the shrimp’s popularity has grown even more, and is the average American’s favorite seafood. More than 650 million pounds of shrimp are harvested by the United States per year, and another 200 million is imported.