There’s no denying that canned crab meat is a quick and tasty meal, but what should you do with the rest of the crab? Proper storage is the key to keeping the crab tasty and safe to eat. To get started, remove the crab meat from its can and transfer to a secure container. You can use plastic containers with lids that seal tightly, but if you need to, you can also use a freezer-safe bag.
Once you’ve moved the crab to its new home, add milk and make sure all of the crab is covered. Milk will safeguard the meat against freezer burn, which can cause unwanted changes to its taste and texture. Once the crab is fully covered, place the lid on the container and seal. If youre using a bag, push out as much air as possible before tightly sealing the top. Place the crab into your freezer and add to recipes as you normally would. As for storing unopened crab, youll need to take another approach to keep it fresh.
Crab meat is a delicious and luxurious seafood treat that many people love to enjoy. However fresh crab meat is highly perishable and often needs to be consumed within just a couple of days of purchase. Freezing crab meat allows you to extend its shelf life so you can enjoy it for months instead of just days. But there is some debate around whether you can safely freeze crab meat in a plastic container. In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s okay to freeze crab meat in plastic, best practices for freezing how long it lasts, and more.
Can You Freeze Crab Meat in a Plastic Container?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze crab meat in a plastic container. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind:
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The plastic container must be airtight and freezer-safe. Regular plastic containers may become brittle and crack in the freezer. Opt for heavy-duty plastic containers designed specifically for the freezer.
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Portion the crab meat into smaller servings before freezing Freezing in bulk may lead to texture changes
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Wrap the crab meat tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper before placing in the container. This protects against freezer burn.
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Label the container with the freeze date and type of crab meat, Include “freeze-by” date approximately 3 months from freeze date
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Leave headspace at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the crab meat freezes.
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Thaw overnight in the fridge before using to prevent texture changes.
As long as you follow these tips, freezing crab meat in an airtight plastic freezer container is perfectly safe.
Why Freeze Crab Meat in Plastic vs. Other Materials?
Plastic makes a good material for freezing crab meat for a few key reasons:
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Airtight seal: Plastic containers designed for freezing often have tightly sealing lids that prevent air and moisture from getting in. This protects the quality and freshness of the crab meat.
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Doesn’t impart flavor: Unlike some materials, plastic does not impart any flavors to the delicate crab meat.
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Freezer-safe: Special freezer plastic is designed to withstand freezing temperatures without getting brittle.
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Lightweight: Plastic is lightweight and easy to store in the freezer.
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Economical: Freezer-safe plastic containers are affordable and reusable.
Glass is another good option but may be prone to breaking. Aluminum and foil are not recommended as they can impart a metallic taste. For best results, opt for heavy-duty plastic freezer containers.
How to Freeze Crab Meat for Freshness
Follow these simple steps for freezing crab meat in plastic containers:
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Start with fresh crab meat. Make sure any crab meat is fresh and of high quality before freezing.
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Portion into servings. Divide meat into servings sizes you’ll realistically use like 8 oz. This prevents repeatedly thawing/refreezing.
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Package servings. Wrap each portion very tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper. This protects texture and prevents freezer burn.
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Put servings in container. Place wrapped portions in airtight, freezer-safe plastic container. Leave 1-inch headspace.
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Label. Label container with type of crab, freeze date, and “freeze-by” date 3 months later.
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Freeze. Place container in freezer set at 0°F or below. For quickest freezing, place on lower shelves.
Follow these steps and your frozen crab meat will taste fresh for up to 3 months.
How Long Does Crab Meat Last in the Freezer?
How long crab meat lasts frozen depends on a few factors:
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Type of crab meat: King crab may last longer than more delicate crab like Dungeness.
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Freshness when frozen: Fresher crab freezes better.
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Packaging: Airtight, freezer-safe packaging is a must.
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Freezer temperature: Colder freezers (0°F or below) extend shelf life.
Keeping these factors in mind, you can expect crab meat to last approximately:
- Fresh crab meat: 3-6 months
- Cooked crab meat: 3-4 months
- Canned crab meat: 6-12 months
No matter what, you should use frozen crab meat within 1 year for best quality. Discard if freezer-burned or if you see any discoloration or unpleasant odors when thawing.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Crab Meat?
It is unsafe to refreeze crab meat more than once. Refreezing can increase risk of bacterial growth. If you’ve thawed crab meat in the fridge and won’t use it all, here are some tips:
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Use within 3-5 days. Consume thawed crab meat within 3-5 days.
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Refrigerate meat continually. Keep thawed meat refrigerated at 40°F.
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Discard if any off odors, stickiness, or color changes develop.
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Cook leftover thawed meat. Use thawed meat that won’t get consumed in casseroles, crab cakes, or other cooked dishes.
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Do not refreeze thawed meat. Refreezing thawed meat is not recommended.
While not ideal, one refreeze can be safe if thawed and handled properly in the refrigerator. But avoid making it a habit for food safety.
Signs Crab Meat Has Gone Bad From Freezer
No one wants to bite into crab meat that has gone bad. Here are some signs to watch out for:
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Unpleasant odors. Bad crab meat may smell sour, rancid, fishy, or ammonia-like.
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Change in color. Look for unusual discoloration or graying.
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Dry, stringy texture. Freezer burn causes dehydration and texture changes.
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Unusual crystallization. Large ice crystals means improper freezing.
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Mold or sliminess. This indicates spoilage.
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Weird taste. Taste a small bit if texture and smell seem off.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick from bad crab meat.
Tips for Safely Thawing Frozen Crab Meat
To safely thaw frozen crab meat and retain quality:
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Thaw overnight in the fridge. This is the safest thawing method.
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Or place a vacuum-sealed package in cold water. Change water every 30 mins to ensure it stays cold.
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Microwave on defrost setting if cooking immediately after.
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Never thaw crab meat on the counter. Bacteria grow rapidly at room temp.
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Cook thawed meat within 3-5 days and don’t refreeze.
Follow these tips and your thawed crab will taste freshly-cooked!
Enjoy the Convenience of Frozen Crab Anytime
Freezing crab meat properly allows you to enjoy premium quality seafood whenever the craving strikes. Follow the tips above for freezing in airtight plastic containers and you’ll have delicious crab on hand for months. Just be sure to consume within recommended timelines and watch for signs of spoilage when thawing. With the right techniques, frozen crab can be a convenient, safe way to satisfy your cravings no matter the season!
What about unopened crab meat?
Since the food inside opened cans is now exposed to air, it makes sense that they need to be kept cold. However, some canned foods must also be refrigerated before opening, and this includes canned crab meat. It’s true that crab meat in a can is pasteurized, but not in the same way that other canned seafood is. For this reason, putting delicate meat through the very high temperatures needed to kill bacteria would also make it taste bad. As a result, pasteurized crab meat is not stable at room temperature and must be refrigerated before opening.
When it comes to storing unopened crab, the refrigerator offers the perfect environment for preservation. This means you should put the can in the coldest part of the fridge, like the area usually used for meat storage. The area must be at least 38 degrees or colder to ensure the crab maintains its quality. With the right approach, both opened and unopened canned crab will remain palatable for a long time.
Food Storage Tips : How to Freeze Crabs
FAQ
How long can you freeze crab meat in a plastic container?
What is the best way to freeze crab meat?
How long can crab meat stay in the fridge?
Can you freeze unopened canned crab meat?
Can crab meat be frozen?
Fresh crab meat and opened canned crab meat can both be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to repackage them into freezer-safe containers. Unopened canned crab meat can be frozen, although the expansion that occurs as it freezes may cause the can to burst.
Can you freeze cooked crab?
Once cooked, it can be frozen for up to 3 months to prevent spoilage. There are two methods of freezing cooked crab: freezing the whole crab with its shell or freezing crab meat without the shell. Freezing the whole crab preserves the sweet flavors and texture of the meat and can last up to 6 months.
How long does cooked crab meat last in the freezer?
Avoid overcrowding the freezer for proper air circulation. Cooked crab meat can last up to five days in the refrigerator. However, if you want to extend its shelf life further, freezing is the best option. The frozen crab meat can maintain its quality for at least three months if stored properly.
Can crabs be stored in the freezer?
Properly packaged crabs can be stored in the freezer for an extended period without compromising their quality. The packaging protects the crabs from freezer burn and helps maintain their taste and texture until you’re ready to thaw and cook them.