The shellfish rinsing system includes a tub and a basket. The shellfish rinsing system may be operable to clean shellfish and to separate the shellfish from contaminants. The shellfish may be placed into the basket and the basket may be agitated within the tub while water flows through the basket and the tub, carrying away the contaminants. After dumping the contaminants from the tub, the shellfish may be rinsed by allowing the water to flow through the basket and the tub. The basket may be adapted to prevent the shellfish from exiting from the basket.