Perhaps you already know about imitation crab, which is one of the best foods ever made by humans for people who love crab but don’t like how much it costs. What you may not be familiar with is how to properly store it.
Surimi is a mixed paste made of white fish (usually Alaskan Pollock), starch, sodium, sugar, and natural and artificial flavors. It is used to make imitation crab. The paste is then pressed into thin molds and colored with a thin layer of orange food coloring. This makes a stick that looks and tastes like a real crab leg. But what about storage? Since fake crab isn’t really crab, do the same rules apply? The answer is important because fake crab meat that isn’t stored properly can make you sick with Listeriosis. If you want to know how to store your fake crab the right way, keep reading. You may have been doing something wrong in the past that you can fix for a better future with your tasty (almost) crab.
Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, is a popular ingredient in sushi rolls, seafood salads, and other dishes This seafood substitute is made from mild white fish that has been pulverized and shaped to resemble delicious crab meat If you have leftovers, you may wonder how long imitation crab meat lasts in the fridge to stay fresh and safe to eat.
An Overview of Imitation Crab Meat
Before diving into proper storage times, let’s look at what exactly imitation crab meat is made of
-
The main fish used is Alaska pollock. Other mild white fish like cod, tilapia or hake may also be used.
-
Fish is ground into a dough-like paste and flavored with crab extract to mimic flavor.
-
Starch, egg whites, salt, sugar, and other binders are added to help form the paste into a crab leg shape.
-
The imitation crab logs are then colored with dyes like canthaxanthin to achieve a pinkish-orange hue similar to real crab.
-
Imitation crab is cooked again to set the binders before packaging.
So while it may look like crab, keep in mind that imitation crab is a heavily processed seafood product with significant additives.
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To get the longest shelf life out of opened imitation crab meat:
-
Make sure to store opened packages in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This prevents drying out.
-
Keep imitation crab refrigerated at 40°F or below. Do not store at room temperature.
-
Check for any expiration or “use by” date on the packaging. Do not use past this date.
-
When kept at proper fridge temperatures, imitation crab will stay fresh for 3-5 days after opening.
-
For unopened vacuum sealed packages, imitation crab can last 2-3 weeks past any “best by” date.
-
For maximum freshness, consider freezing imitation crab meat in an airtight container if you won’t use within a few days.
Pro Tip: Portion out imitation crab into the desired amounts before freezing so you can thaw just what you need later!
Signs Your Imitation Crab Has Spoiled
Imitation crab is highly perishable and spoils quickly if not stored properly in the refrigerator. Here are signs that indicate your product may have gone bad:
-
Sliminess – Fresh imitation crab should have a firm, moist texture. Discard if the surface feels very slimy.
-
Fishy Odor – Opened packages that smell overly fishy or ammonia-like are likely spoiled.
-
Off Colors – Look for an unnatural gray, yellow, or brown discoloration.
-
Mold Growth – Fuzzy white or green mold spots indicate spoilage.
-
Soft Spots – Imation crab should feel uniformly firm. Toss if there are mushy spots.
Trust your senses! If imitation crab smells or looks questionable, it’s better to be safe than sorry and throw it out.
Food Safety Tips for Imitation Crab
To avoid foodborne illness when enjoying imitation crab meat:
-
Wash Hands & Surfaces – Always wash hands before and after handling. Sanitize surfaces imitation crab will touch.
-
Separate Storage – Don’t let imitation crab contact raw proteins that could cross-contaminate.
-
Cook Thoroughly – Heat imitation crab to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill bacteria.
-
Avoid Cross-Contamination – Use separate cutting boards and utensils for imitation crab and raw seafood.
-
Discard After 3-5 Days – Do not keep refrigerated imitation crab longer than 3-5 days, even if it looks okay. When in doubt, throw it out!
Delicious Ways to Use Up Imitation Crab
To take full advantage of the short fridge shelf life, use imitation crab meat in these tasty recipes:
- California rolls and other sushi
- Chilled seafood salads
- Wonton wrappers or potstickers
- Tuna, chicken, or pasta salads
- Crab cakes or patties
- Creamy dips and spreads
- Lettuce wraps
- Quiches or frittatas
With proper cold storage and handling, you can safely enjoy the versatility of imitation crab meat for 3-5 days after opening. Follow these recommendations so your crabby creations stay fresh, delicious, and free of bacteria.
Frequency of Entities:
- fridge/refrigerated/refrigerator – 14
- imitation crab/imitation crab meat – 15
- fresh – 5
- store/storage – 7
- opened – 4
- spoil/spoiled – 4
- package – 3
- food safety – 2
- shelf life – 2
- freeze/freezing – 2
- bacteria – 2
- proper – 2
- safe/safely – 2
- days – 8
- sign – 1
- odor – 1
- mold – 1
- touch – 1
- cook – 1
- cross-contamination – 1
- discard – 1
- recipes – 1
Mistake: Not storing imitation crab at the right temperature
It’s important to store your fake crab meat at the right temperature if you want it to last in the fridge or freezer. Since 38 degrees F is the ideal temperature, it is best to keep the seafood on the bottom shelf, which is usually where the fridge is coolest. If your fridge doesn’t come with a built-in thermometer, you can buy one to keep inside and use to make sure it’s at the right temperature. You can also use an instant-read meat thermometer to get a reading on the fly.
If you want to keep your fake crab meat in the freezer, it should be at or below 0 degrees F. This is not the temperature that all home freezers are set to; most are around 10 degrees F. If yours doesn’t go that low, don’t worry. At 10 degrees F, you’re still safe, but your fake crab will only last about a year instead of two. The
Mistake: Thawing your imitation crab meat too soon
If you’re having a dinner party this weekend and want to serve fake crab in one of many tasty ways, don’t start thawing it on Monday. If you let your fake crab thaw too early, it could go bad before you can serve it, which is the worst thing that can happen.
Put the frozen meat in the fridge about 24 hours before you need it to thaw out your fake crab. This allows it to defrost slowly and safely. Once it is thawed out, it should be used within three days.
The fake crab should not be put back in the freezer after it has been thawed if you decide not to use it. For most people, it’s not a good idea to freeze, thaw, and then re-freeze fish because it loses quality over time and will lose even more quality after another thaw.
IMITATION CRAB MEAT — PURCHASED COMMERCIALLY FROZEN. FOOD STORAGE – HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP.
FAQ
How can you tell if imitation crab has gone bad?
How long does packaged crab meat last in the fridge?
Can imitation crab be bad?
How long does crab salad last in the fridge?
How long does imitation crab last?
The shelf life of imitation crab varies depending on whether or not they are vacuum sealed for freshness. The vacuum-sealed packages can last up to a year if stored in the freezer. Unsealed imitation crab lasts between 4 and 5 days when refrigerated. To properly stored imitation crab, the temperature should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long can you keep imitation crab meat in the fridge?
When it’s properly stored in the fridge, it should be eaten within three days just like other varieties of fish, per the USDA. If you cannot eat it within that time frame, store the leftovers in a freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for up to six months. When freezing the imitation crab meat, be aware that its texture will change when it’s defrosted.
How long does crab last in the fridge?
If you’re lucky enough to find fresh imitation crab, it will last for about two days in the fridge. However, most of the time, you’ll find frozen or canned crab, which has a much longer shelf life. A canned crab will last for up to two years in the pantry. Once you open the can, you should consume the crab within two days.
How long does imitation crab meat last if frozen?
If frozen, it can spend up to 6 months in the freezer without signs of spoiling. How to tell imitation crab meat is bad? Some signs of spoilage include the typical “fishy smell”, sour taste, and a slimy appearance. Pay close attention to it when thawed, as usually in its frozen state it’s hard to know whether it has spoiled or not.