How Long Can Crab Legs Stay in the Fridge? – Complete Guide
Crab legs are a tasty seafood delicacy that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you like them steamed, boiled, grilled, or baked, it’s essential to store them properly to maintain their quality and freshness.
How long can crab legs stay in the fridge? How long crab legs can stay fresh in the fridge largely depends on the type of crab, the temperature, proper storage, and handling. Typically, fresh crab legs can last from 2 – 4 days in the fridge.
In this blog post, we will go through some of the factors that affect the fridge life of crab legs and answer this question in detail.
How Long Can Crab Legs Stay in the Fridge?
Fresh crab legs are highly perishable and need to be handled carefully. Ideally, they should be cooked and served on the same day of purchase. However, if you can’t cook them immediately, you need to store them correctly in the refrigerator.
The recommended temperature for storing crab legs is below 40°F. You can use the original packaging or store them in an airtight container.
The shelf life of crab legs varies depending on several factors, such as their quality, preparation method, storage temperature, and how soon they were harvested. Typically, fresh crab legs can stay in the fridge for up to two days.
However, if they were cooked before storage, they may last for up to four days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze fresh crab legs for up to six months.
It’s essential to inspect crab legs before cooking or consuming them. Signs of spoilage include a fishy odor, slimy texture, and noticeable discoloration. If you spot any of these signs, discard the crab legs and do not consume them.
Additionally, if you plan to serve crab legs to guests, it’s best to purchase them close to the serving date.
Another factor that affects the shelf life of crab legs is the type of crab. Different types of crabs have different shelf lives, and some may last longer than others.
For instance, King crab legs can last for up to 3-4 days in the fridge, while Snow crab legs can last up to two days. It’s best to check with your local seafood vendor or consult a seafood expert to determine the best type of crab to purchase based on your needs and preferences.
How Long Does Cooked Crab Last in the Fridge?
Fresh crab doesn’t have a very long shelf life, but what about cooked crab? Can you keep them for longer by cooking the crab legs first before storing them?
Cooked crab legs can last for up to four days in the fridge, but it’s best to consume them within one to two days after being cooked. Properly storing them in an airtight container or in a plastic bag and placing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator can keep them fresh for longer.
If you’re planning to keep cooked crab legs for longer than a few days, it’s best to freeze them instead.
When it comes to reheating cooked crab legs, it’s essential to ensure they are heated thoroughly to minimize the risk of food poisoning.
To reheat the crab legs, place them in a steamer or a pot of boiling water until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them, but be careful not to overcook them.
When buying crab legs, it’s essential to ensure that they are fresh. Ensure that the crab legs have a good aroma and are free from any slimy or discolored patches. Always ensure that they are kept refrigerated and use them as soon as possible.
If you can’t use the crab legs immediately, freeze them instead of letting them sit in the fridge for too long.
It’s worth noting that the shelf life of cooked crab legs varies depending on the method of preparation and storage.
For instance, cooked crab legs that are refrigerated within two hours of cooking can last longer than those left at room temperature. Additionally, crab legs that are stored in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower tend to last longer.
Can You Freeze Crab Legs?
Freezing crab legs is a great way to preserve their flavor and texture, so you can enjoy them later. However, there are some important things you need to know before you freeze crab legs.
First, it’s important to note that not all types of crab legs freeze well. Dungeness crab and Blue crab, for example, are not recommended for freezing. Snow crab and king crab, on the other hand, freeze well and maintain their texture and flavor.
When freezing your crab legs, it’s important to do it as soon as possible after purchasing them. This is because crab legs deteriorate rapidly, and the longer you wait, the more likely they are to lose their flavor and texture.
It’s also important to make sure that the crab legs are fresh when you freeze them. If they have been sitting in the refrigerator for several days, they may not freeze as well.
To freeze your crab legs, start by washing them thoroughly in cold water. Then, use a paper towel to pat them dry. Next, place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. Make sure to date the bag so that you can consume the crab legs in time.
When you’re ready to use your frozen crab legs, it’s important to thaw them properly. The best way to do this is to place the crab legs in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
This will allow them to thaw safely without developing bacteria and retain their flavor and texture.
You can also place them in cold water for a faster thaw, but be sure to refresh the water every 30 minutes to prevent bacteria growth.
When it comes to frozen crab legs, they can last up to 6 months in the freezer if stored properly. Make sure to keep them in the back of your freezer, where the temperature is the coldest, and in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Thaw frozen crab legs in the fridge overnight or under cold running water. Never thaw them at room temperature or in the microwave, as this can cause the meat to spoil and develop harmful bacteria.
When frozen correctly, these delicious sea creatures retain all their natural flavors, making for a perfectly tasty meal anytime you’re hankering for fresh crab.
Not only is freezing crab an excellent way to keep it fresh for longer, but it’s also an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in virtually any seafood recipe you can imagine.
How to Tell if Crab Legs Have Gone Bad
Eating bad crab can lead to food poisoning, which can cause severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains. So how can you tell if the crab has gone bad? Let’s find out how to identify bad crab before you cook or eat it.
1. Check the Smell
One of the first signs that crab has gone bad is the smell. Fresh crab has a slightly sweet smell, and it should not have any fishy or ammonia-like odors. If the crab smells sour or pungent, it is a strong indicator that it has gone bad and needs to be discarded.
2. Look for Discoloration
Another way to check if the crab has gone bad is to look for any discoloration. Fresh crab has a bright and even color, while bad crab can be discolored with brown, black, or even green spots.
This discoloration is the result of bacterial growth and can indicate that the crab is no longer fresh.
3. Check the Texture
The texture of crab- both the meat and shell- is another key indicator of whether it has gone bad. The meat of a good crab should be firm, and the shell should be intact without any cracks.
If the crab meat feels soft, slimy, or mushy, it could mean that the crab is spoilt. The shell will also show signs of weakness or cracks when the crab has started to go bad.
4. Look for Excessive Moisture
Moisture is another factor to consider when inspecting crab meat for freshness. If the crab is excessively wet or has puddles of water around it, it is not a good sign. This could be an indication of bacterial growth, as bacteria thrive in a moist environment.
Always buy your crabs from reputable sources and make sure they’re not stored in a pool of water or seafood display cases with excessive moisture.
5. Use Your Sense of Touch
Using your sense of touch is one of the easiest tricks to tell if a crab has gone bad. The fresh crab should feel cool to the touch, and the texture of the shell and meat should be consistent.
If the crab feels warm or slimy, it means it has not been stored correctly, and the chances are high that bacteria have started to grow.
