Crab legs are one of my favorite foods. Their sweet succulent meat is so delicious when dipped in melted butter or a tangy cocktail sauce. I love treating myself to fresh crab legs every once in a while.
However, crab legs can be pretty expensive especially if you’re getting king crab or snow crab legs. So when I do splurge on them, I like to find ways to make them last longer. Freezing cooked crab legs is a great way to save some for later.
I used to wonder – can you freeze cooked crab legs? Or do they have to be frozen raw? After doing some research and experimenting in my own kitchen, I’ve learned the best practices for freezing crab legs to preserve texture, flavor and freshness.
In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned on the topic. I’ll cover:
- Can You Freeze Cooked Crab Legs?
- How to Freeze Cooked Crab Legs
- Thawing and Reheating Frozen Crab Legs
- How Long Frozen Crab Legs Last
- Tips for Freezing Crab Legs
Let’s dive in!
Can You Freeze Cooked Crab Legs?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze cooked crab legs In fact, it’s recommended to cook them first before freezing
Freezing raw crab legs can lead to safety issues, as harmful bacteria can multiply even at freezing temperatures. Cooking them first kills any dangerous pathogens.
Cooking also helps preserve the texture of the crab meat. Raw crab flesh has a lot of moisture that can form ice crystals during freezing. This can make the texture grainy or mushy when thawed.
Pre-cooking removes excess moisture, so the meat retains its signature tender-but-firm texture even after freezing and thawing.
How to Freeze Cooked Crab Legs
Follow these simple steps for freezing cooked crab legs:
1. Cook the Crab Legs
Cook frozen crab legs just until done. Don’t overcook them or the meat can get rubbery.
- Boil or steam king crab legs for 5-8 minutes
- Boil or steam snow crab legs for 4-6 minutes
Shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and let cool completely.
2. Break Apart the Shells
Break the legs apart at each joint. Slide out the meat in whole pieces if possible.
3. Portion the Meat
Divide the meat into meal-sized portions. I like 2-4 oz per bag.
4. Pack in Freezer Bags
Put each portion in its own freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
5. Label and Freeze
Label each bag with the type of crab and date. Freeze immediately.
Well-wrapped crab legs will last 4-6 months in the freezer. Now you’re ready to enjoy them later!
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Crab Legs
Thaw frozen crab legs overnight in the refrigerator. This prevents food safety issues.
To reheat, steam over simmering water for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Or microwave 30-60 seconds per piece until hot.
Avoid overcooking thawed crab or it can turn rubbery. Just heat until warm.
How Long Do Frozen Crab Legs Last?
Properly frozen, crab legs will be safe to eat for 4-6 months. But the quality declines over time.
For best texture and flavor, try to eat frozen crab legs within 2-3 months. The meat will start to dry out after that.
Make sure your freezer is 0°F or colder. Colder temperatures preserve quality better.
Tips for Freezing Crab Legs
Follow these tips for successfully freezing and enjoying crab legs:
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Freeze legs in the shell – it protects the delicate meat.
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Remove guts/viscera before freezing to prevent bacteria.
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Glaze legs with water before freezing to prevent freezer burn.
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Use freezer bags, not plastic wrap, to prevent freezer burn. Remove excess air.
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Thaw in the fridge, not at room temperature or in hot water.
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Don’t refreeze thawed crab legs – cook within 3-4 days.
So there you have it – a complete guide to freezing cooked crab legs. Follow these instructions and they’ll taste freshly-cooked when you defrost them.
Freezing cooked crab lets you enjoy every last bit of this precious treat. No more throwing out expensive leftover crab!
With proper handling, you can keep crab legs in the freezer for a few months. Thaw them as needed for instant gourmet meals.
Can I refreeze par-boiled crab meat after making stuffing?
by Roxieann (Zachary, La USA)
I put a lot of crab meat in the freezer, about 2 months ago. I “par-boiled” the crabs before cleaning and then I froze them in vacuum sealed bags. My plan was to thaw it later and make stuffed crabs (25-30) and freeze them for later use. Normally when I make stuffed crabs I do it before freezing the crab. (Just did not have the time this year. ) I cook the vegs. down, add my bread and egg and saute. After it cools I fold in my crab, stuff the shells and freeze. I do not cook them before freezing. Im concerened about doing it this way with the thawed crab. Are these safe? Should I add the crab while I’m cooking the stuffing and make sure they reach a certain temperature? I give them as Christmas gifts. I would rather have disappointed friends, instead of giving something that could be unsafe. I would REALLY appreaciate your help. Thanks!Crab-O-Licious. com Replies: Hi, Roxianne! What a great Christmas gift idea and labor of love! I’m impressed, and you’re now my favorite visitor! I honestly don’t think what you’re doing is wrong or dangerous. Sounds like you have a good handle on proper care and safe storing your crab meat. It sounds like the crab meat you’re using has already been boiled, right? If that’s the case, you can thaw it out to mix with the other ingredients for stuffing the shells either way. It will be easier to work with thawed food than unthawed food. Slightly thawed food will be even better because it won’t be affected as much by the temperature change as when you refreeze the food for later use. Before you start, keep in mind that if you use unthawed or barely thawed crab meat, the meals will have extra liquid because the crab meat was frozen. Since this is the case, maybe it would be best to add thawed crab meat to your saute mixture instead of frozen crab that has been thawed out? Does this make sense? Go back to How to Freeze Crab Go back to Crab-O-Licious com.
How long can I leave crab in the fridge to thaw?
by Dale (BC Canada)
For how long can I leave crab in the fridge to thaw after catching it, cleaning it, and freezing it before boiling it? com Replies-Ok, let me see if I got this right. Now that you’ve cleaned and frozen the crab, you want to know how long you can keep it in the fridge to thaw. If that’s the case, it should only take a day. After that, it should stay fresh for three to four days in the fridge, but the sooner you eat it, the better! If you freeze crab legs, you don’t “have” to let them thaw before boiling or steaming them. It’s possible to steam the frozen legs or boil them in water while they’re still frozen. Hope this helps! Enjoy!.
How To Cook Frozen Snow Crab Legs
FAQ
Can you freeze crabs in the shell?
How do you reheat frozen cooked crab legs?
How long do cooked crab legs last in the fridge?
How do you store pre cooked crab legs?
How to freeze crab legs?
Here are the steps to freeze crab legs: Step 1: Ensure that the crab legs are fresh and of high quality. Step 2: Rinse the crab legs with cold water. Step 3: Prepare the crab legs by breaking them into smaller sections. Step 4: Place the crab legs in a freezer-safe plastic bag. Step 5: Seal the bag or container tightly and label it.
Can you eat frozen crab legs?
Take the defrosted crab meat and milk out of the fridge. With a very fine strainer like this one, empty the freezer bag of crab meat and milk into the strainer. Rinse the crab meat under a gentle stream of cold water. If you want to eat the frozen crab legs right away, don’t bother with thawing them.
Can you freeze crab meat?
Wrap the crab or crab meat in plastic wrap. Put the wrapped crab in a heavy-duty sealable freezer bag. Use a marker to write the date and the type of crab you’re freezing on the bag. Use a straw to suck the air out of the bag and then seal it. Use some aluminum foil to wrap the sealed bag and put it in your freezer right away.
How long can you keep cooked crab legs in the fridge?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less) only 1 or 2 days before cooking or freezing. After cooking, store seafood in the refrigerator [for] 3 to 4 days.” Both raw and cooked crab legs, no matter what the species, can be frozen for up to three months.