How Long Can Crab Stay in the Fridge? The Ultimate Guide to Storing Cooked Crab

Crab is a delicious seafood treat that many people love to indulge in. However like any perishable food crab has to be stored properly to avoid spoilage and foodborne illness. So how long can cooked crab last in the fridge?

The shelf life of crab depends on a few key factors

Types of Crab and Preparation

• Fresh cooked crab meat – lasts 3 to 5 days
• Pasteurized canned crab meat – lasts 3 to 5 days after opening
• Steamed crab – lasts 5 to 7 days when properly sealed
• Frozen crab meat – lasts 3 to 6 months in the freezer

Crab can be prepared in various ways like steaming, boiling, pasteurizing etc. The shelf life differs slightly based on the preparation method. However, as a general rule, cooked crab meat will last around 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator.

Proper storage and handling is key to maintaining freshness and extending shelf life.

Proper Storage Temperatures

Temperature is one of the most important factors for preserving cooked crab.

• Store cooked crab in the coldest part of your refrigerator, as close to 32-33°F as possible. The average refrigerator temperature is 36-40°F which allows for faster bacteria growth.

• For best quality, freeze at 0°F or below. Home freezers are usually between 0-10°F.

• Don’t leave crab out more than 2 hours at room temperature before refrigerating.

Sealing and Packaging

• Place cooked crab in airtight containers or heavy duty freezer bags, pressing out excess air before sealing. This prevents freezer burn and oxidation.

• You can also double wrap crab tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing in a container.

• For extended freezing, vacuum seal the crab meat. However, avoid freezing delicate lump crab meat as the thawing process can damage the texture.

• Glass storage containers are ideal for the refrigerator, while plastic containers or freezer bags work well for the freezer.

Signs of Spoilage

• Unpleasant sour, fishy or ammonia smell

• Milky or sticky residue on the crab meat

• Change from white flesh to yellowish color

• Soft, mushy texture

• Mold growth

If you notice any of these signs, discard the crab immediately. Don’t take chances with seafood that has gone bad.

How Long Does Cooked Crab Last in the Fridge?

Let’s take a more detailed look at refrigerator storage times for different types of crab:

• Fresh cooked crab meat – 3 to 5 days
• Canned pasteurized crab meat – 3 to 5 days after opening
• Steamed whole crab – 5 to 7 days
• King crab legs – 3 to 5 days
• Frozen crab, thawed – 1 to 2 days
• Crab cakes or other prepared dishes – 3 to 4 days

The shelf life decreases as time goes on, so it’s best to eat leftovers as soon as possible. Discard any crab that has reached the maximum recommended storage time.

Can You Freeze Crab Meat?

Freezing cooked crab is a great way to extend the shelf life for several months. Here are some tips:

• Cook live crab thoroughly to kill bacteria before freezing raw meat. Avoid freezing raw crab.

• Freeze prepared crab dishes like crab cakes, dips, soups etc. for up to 3 months.

• Vacuum seal lump crab meat before freezing if possible.

• Store king crab legs up to 6 months frozen.

• Label packages with dates and contents before freezing.

• Thaw frozen crab in the refrigerator overnight before use.

• Don’t refreeze thawed crab meat.

While frozen storage can prolong shelf life significantly, freezing and thawing will degrade the texture somewhat. For best flavor and quality, eat fresh cooked crab within a few days.

How to Store Imitation Crab Meat

Imitation crab meat or crab sticks made from surimi typically follow similar storage guidelines as real crab:

• Refrigerate for up to 3 days
• Freeze for up to 3 months

Discard if you notice any sour or “off” smells. Keep frozen until ready to use.

Can you Freeze Whole Cooked Crabs?

Freezing whole cooked crabs is possible but isn’t recommended. The shelf life of a whole crab is much shorter than crab meat. Here are some guidelines:

• Cook and clean crab thoroughly before freezing. Do not freeze raw.

• Remove back shell and gills which can accumulate bacteria over time.

• Freeze whole crabs for no more than 2 months for best quality.

• Double wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

• Thaw in refrigerator before removing meat.

• Use thawed meat within 2 days.

• Don’t refreeze thawed whole crab.

Thawing and Reheating Leftover Crab

• Thaw frozen crab in the refrigerator overnight, not at room temperature or in hot water.

• Refrigerate thawed crab and use within 1-2 days.

• Reheat thawed crab to 165°F. Steaming is best to prevent drying out.

• Don’t refreeze thawed crab meat. Discard if not used within 2 days.

• Consume reheated crab meat within 2 hours. Do not let sit at room temperature.

Proper thawing and reheating helps prevent bacterial growth.

Final Tips on Storing Crab

Follow these simple guidelines to keep crab fresh for as long as possible:

• Cook live crab thoroughly before refrigerating or freezing raw meat. This kills harmful bacteria.

• Refrigerate cooked crab meat right away in airtight packaging. Never leave at room temp more than 2 hours.

• Store crab in the coldest part of the fridge, as close to 32°F as possible.

• Freeze for long term storage up to 6 months. Vacuum seal or wrap tightly.

• Label packages with date and contents before freezing. Use oldest first.

• Thaw frozen crab slowly in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

• Once thawed, use crab meat within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze.

• Reheat thawed crab to 165°F before consuming. Discard leftovers after 2 days.

Following proper storage, handling and thawing methods will help crab stay fresher longer. Trust your nose – if it smells unpleasant or “off”, don’t take chances and throw it out. Stay well within the recommended time limits.

So how long can cooked crab last in the fridge? Up to 5 days refrigerated or 6 months frozen. For best quality and food safety, use crab as soon as possible after cooking. With proper storage, you can safely enjoy leftover crab for several days. Just remember to keep it cold!