It was late, and I was tired from fishing. I put some ice in the crabs to keep them cool. I did not clean or cook the crabs before putting them in a zip lock freezer bag and putting them in the freezer. I just washed them off with clear water. So it looks like I did something wrong. Should I throw them out? I don’t want to get sick because I did something wrong. Crab-O-Licious. com Replies-Transporting and storing live Blue Crabs are more challenging than handling any other seafood. We always refer to Louisiana Seafood Bible, The: Crabs because we deal with Dungeness Crabs most of the time. According to the authors, the first challenge is getting live Blue Crabs home from where they were caught or bought. Freshly caught crabs or crabs that have been properly stored in a seafood cooler can be moved for about an hour without any special care as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight and wind as much as possible. Blue crabs that have been shipped for a long time should be slushy in ice water for four to five minutes before being served. If the crabs are in a wooden, plastic, metal, or plastic basket or a plastic seafood lug, it’s easiest to stir them. People say not to soak the crabs for more than five minutes because a longer soak could kill them. No matter what kind of container is used, the crabs should be put on top of a wet burlap sack or several layers of newspaper. Slushed crabs can be moved for eight to ten hours, even when it’s very hot outside, as long as they’re not in the direct wind. They also say that if there are no slushing facilities, the blue crabs can be kept alive with ice as long as they are kept away from the ice. So, the bottom of the ice chest should have a layer of ice on it, then wet burlap, and finally the crabs. Another layer of wet burlap is spread on top of the crabs and more ice is added. Blue Crab packed this way can be held alive for as long as 2 days. Don’t close the ice chest’s drain hole. This will let melt water drain out and oxygen get into the ice chest so the crabs can breathe. The lid of the ice chest should be cracked open slightly as well. You can also keep live blue crabs in a fridge or walk-in cooler for up to two days, as long as you keep them moist with wet newspaper or burlap. Ideal storage temperatures kept between 35 and 40 degrees. Blue crabs that are still alive should always be moved and stored with their backs to the road. An upside down crab will not live as long as a right side up crab. Just so you know, crabs are safest when handled with metal or wooden tongs, unless they are very slow from being very cold. A large male blue paw crab can deliver a nasty pinch. They also say that icing blue crabs like you would ice shrimp or fish is a less desirable but possible way to move and store them. Because this will kill the crab, each one must be checked to make sure it is still alive before it is iced. An iced spoiled crab cannot be differentiated from an iced crab when they are unpacked later. Iced Blue Crabs will experience some textural changes in their meat. The changes may or may not be noticeable. Iced crabs are also a little harder to peel, as the meat will stick slightly to the shell. With all this said, JP, its your call whether or not they are still good or not. We really hope they are, and we hope this helps! The book we talked about above is great! The site is full of useful information, from how to catch blue crabs to tasty crab meat recipes you can try. Enjoy! Go back to How to Freeze Crab and see some of our favorite crab meat recipes.
Dungeness crab is a delicious crustacean that is hugely popular, especially here on the West Coast Their sweet, salty flavor and tender meat make them a real treat Many crab lovers look forward to Dungeness crab season when they can enjoy these crustaceans fresh.
But what if you have leftovers after a crab feast? Or you went crabbing and hauled in a huge catch? Can you freeze cooked Dungeness crab for later? The short answer is yes! Freezing cooked Dungeness crab is perfectly safe and it preserves the delicious flavor. Here’s what you need to know about freezing Dungeness crab.
How to Freeze Whole Cooked Dungeness Crabs
Freezing whole cooked Dungeness crab is one of the easiest ways to save your haul for later. Here are some tips for freezing whole cooked crabs:
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Cook the crabs thoroughly before freezing. Boil or steam them for 15-20 minutes until the shell turns bright orange. This kills any bacteria.
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Once cooked, immerse the hot crabs in ice water for 15 minutes This stops the cooking process.
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Drain and dry the crabs completely. Use paper towels to pat away excess moisture.
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Wrap each crab individually in a few layers of plastic wrap or place in ziplock bags. Make sure there are no air pockets.
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Place the wrapped crabs in the freezer. They’ll keep for 2-3 months at 0°F
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When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat by steaming for 5-10 minutes until hot.
Freezing whole crabs takes up a lot of room. But it lets you break apart and pick the meat as needed. The shells also protect the delicate meat from freezer burn.
Freezing Cooked Dungeness Crab Meat
For a space-saving option, freeze shelled crab meat instead of whole crabs. Here’s how:
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After cooking and cooling the crabs, pick out the meat. Discard the shells, guts, gills and any green or mushy meat.
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Weigh the crab meat and divide it into meal-sized portions. About 4 oz. per person is a good serving size.
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Place each portion in a freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure to remove excess air before sealing.
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Freeze immediately. Crab meat will keep for 4-6 months at 0°F.
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Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat. Use for crab cakes, dips, salads, etc.
Shelled crab meat takes up less room in the freezer. It’s also quicker to thaw and use. But the meat may dry out from freezer burn over long storage. Portioning it carefully prevents waste.
Tips for Freezing Dungeness Crab
Follow these tips for best results when freezing Dungeness crab:
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Make sure the crab is very fresh before freezing. Cook and freeze it as soon as possible after catching or purchasing.
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Rapidly chill cooked crab before freezing. Quick cooling prevents ice crystals from damaging the meat.
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Use airtight packaging like ziplock bags or containers. This protects against freezer burn.
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Label packages with the quantity and date before freezing. Use oldest crab meat first.
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Avoid storing crab meat longer than recommended. Freeze for no more than 2-3 months (whole crab) or 4-6 months (meat).
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Thaw frozen crab slowly in the fridge, not at room temp. This maintains texture and moisture.
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Don’t refreeze previously frozen crab. Refreezing causes more ice crystal damage.
Following proper handling methods from cooking to freezing ensures your frozen Dungeness crab tastes delicious and stays safe to eat.
Ways to Use Frozen Dungeness Crab
Frozen Dungeness crab is versatile. Here are some delicious ways to use thawed frozen crab:
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Crab cakes – Mix crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg, mustard, and seasonings. Pan fry into crispy cakes.
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Crab dip – Combine crab with cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice and spices. Bake or serve chilled with crackers.
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Crab salad – Toss crab meat with celery, onion and mayo. Serve on lettuce or in avocado halves.
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Crab omelet or scramble – Add crab meat to beaten eggs. Cook eggs to desired doneness.
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Crab sandwiches – Mix crab with mayo, lemon and herbs. Serve on rolls or toasted bread.
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Crab pasta – Sautée garlic and white wine. Toss with crab meat, pasta and parsley.
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Crab soup – Simmer crab meat in tomato or cream based soups.
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Stuffed shells – Fill pasta shells with crab and cheese mixtures. Bake until hot and bubbly.
Frozen crab also works great in casseroles, stir fries, crusts and toppings. Let thawed crab meat come up to room temperature before adding to cold dishes like salad. It’s ready to use in hot dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about freezing Dungeness crab:
How long does cooked crab last in the fridge?
Cooked crab will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. After that, freeze any unused portions.
Can you freeze cooked crab legs or claws?
Yes, freeze cooked legs and claws the same way you would whole crab. Thaw before cracking and eating.
Is it safe to freeze raw crab?
It’s best to cook live crab first. Freezing raw crab risks contamination and food poisoning.
Can previously frozen crab be refrozen?
Previously frozen crab should not be refrozen, as this causes damage from ice crystals.
What happens if crab meat freezes by accident?
If cooked crab meat freezes accidentally, thaw it in the refrigerator and use immediately. Don’t refreeze.
How do you thaw frozen crab?
For best quality and food safety, thaw frozen crab slowly in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Enjoy Delicious Dungeness Crab All Year Long
Dungeness crab season only comes once a year. But freezing lets you enjoy tasty crab for months afterwards. Follow the guidelines above for perfectly preserved flavor and texture. Freezing cooked crab is simple with a little planning. Soon you’ll be delighting in delicious Dungeness crab no matter what the season!
Can you freeze crab after catching them or do you have to boil them and then freeze them?
Can you freeze dungeness crab after catching them or should you boil them first then freeze?Crab-O-Licious. com Replies-IF you clean them “live” you can freeze them w/o cooking them. Otherwise cook them first ASAP and then freeze them. cleaned or not. NEVER freeze live crab! They will die and then. they are no good!Remember, dead crab is BAD crab.
Can you freeze crabs whole?Crab-O-Licious. com Replies-Crab-O-Licious. com Replies: YES! As long as they are cooked first! This is how we always freeze crab. So we can work hard at crabbing while the season lasts (which isn’t long here) and still enjoy the results all year long! That being said, you should never freeze a whole crab before boiling it. Furthermore, you shouldn’t catch crab and then freeze it without taking care of the boiling process. If you do, your chances of getting sick will be sky-high. Also, we highly suggest that you vacuum seal those whole crabs, too. They won’t get freezer burn for more than a year! If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, make sure you wrap the crabs tightly and don’t poke holes in the package. We always cut off the pointy tips on our Dungeness Crab before wrapping them for the freezer. Take good care of your catch! Enjoy!.
Can you freeze uncooked Dungeness Crabs?
by Crab-O-Licious (PNW USA)
Some people will freeze Dungeness Crabs for no more than 20 minutes to kill them before cooking them. The meat of frozen live crabs could become poisonous, so it’s not a good idea to freeze them to cook later. If you have live Dungeness Crabs, its best to either. 1) Clean them from the innards and shell, then boil them. Or you can. 2)Keep them alive until water is boiled and and bring back to a boil for about 20-30 minutes. It’s best to call your crabs dead and throw them away if you haven’t cooked them yet. Do not eat them. If they have been frozen for longer than 20 minutes, please do the same. throw them out. Please! Do not eat them. Check out our page on How To Freeze Crab.