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.
Canned crab meat provides a convenient way to enjoy delicious crab flavor whenever the craving strikes Its shelf-stable packaging offers long lasting freshness and makes crab accessible year round. But once a can is opened, it starts the clock ticking on how long the crab inside remains good to eat
Understanding proper storage and use of opened canned crab is key Follow this guide to get the most from your canned crab meat after opening
How Long Does Opened Canned Crab Meat Last?
Canned crab meat will maintain best quality for:
- 3 to 5 days refrigerated.
- 2 to 3 months frozen.
These time frames assume proper rapid chilling and air-tight storage. Times are shortened for less ideal conditions. Some noticeable signs that opened canned crab meat has spoiled are:
- Unpleasant odors.
- Slime formation.
- Discoloration or very soft texture.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out.” Canned crab past its prime can cause foodborne illness.
Tips for Maximizing Opened Canned Crab Meat Lifespan
Here are some tips for getting the most days of freshness from your opened canned crab:
- Refrigerate promptly after opening. Never leave sitting out more than 2 hours.
- Use shallow, airtight containers for storing to minimize air exposure.
- Place refrigerated crab meat on bottom shelf for max cold.
- When freezing, use freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Portion into smaller containers for quicker thawing and less waste.
- Know signs of spoilage like smell and slime. Discard if questionable.
- Keep refrigerated right up until use in recipes, dips, etc.
Adhering to diligent chilling, air exclusion and frequent use gives you the most life from a can once opened.
Maximizing Flavor of Refrigerated Canned Crab Meat
To optimize the flavor of refrigerated opened canned crab for use in recipes:
- Drain liquid from can before refrigerating. This prevents tinny taste.
- Fold in a little lemon juice, vinegar or white wine to freshen.
- Mix in some minced parsley, dill or green onion for a flavor pop.
- Season with Old Bay, lemon pepper or other crab seasonings.
- Place in a bowl of ice to chill right before use.
With a few simple tricks like these, canned crab meat can shift from bland to grand.
Using Refrigerated Canned Crab Meat
Refrigerated opened canned crab lends itself to a versatile array of hot and cold applications like:
- Mixed into crab cakes or crab stuffed mushrooms.
- Tossed in fresh salads for a protein punch.
- Added to pasta, risotto or omelets.
- Topping for bruschetta or crackers for an app.
- Mixed with cream cheese for dips or spreads.
- Used in quiches, frittatas or crab-stuffed peppers.
- Topping for fish fillets and chicken breasts.
Refrigeration keeps the crab meat fresh and ready for any recipe needs.
Freezing Canned Crab Meat for Later Use
Freezing lets you significantly extend the use-by date of opened canned crab. To freeze:
- Place meat in airtight freezer bags or containers. Exclude air.
- Freeze immediately after opening for best quality.
- Portion into recipe-ready amounts before freezing.
- Lay bags flat in freezer for faster freezing.
- Label with date and contents for easy ID later.
- Use within 2 to 3 months for premium flavor and texture.
With proper freezing, canned crab can be stored and enjoyed for months.
Thawing Frozen Crab Meat
To safely thaw frozen crab meat:
- Keep frozen until ready to use.
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight before use.
- Place bag on plate or bowl to catch drips while thawing.
- Submerge bag in cold water if faster thawing is needed.
- Use immediately after microwave or cold water thawing.
- Never try to refreeze thawed crab meat.
Quickly and safely thaw just what you need for a particular recipe use.
Using Thawed Canned Crab Meat
Thawed canned crab can be swapped into any recipe calling for fresh or canned crab. Some simple uses are:
- Mixed with mayo for crab salad sandwiches.
- Added to seafood pasta dishes and risottos.
- Topping for crostini as a party appetizer.
- Folded into omelets, frittatas or quiche.
- Mixed into dips and spread combinations.
- Topping for fish like cod or halibut.
- Filling for stuffed mushrooms or peppers.
Thawed canned crab brings convenience with no compromise on taste.
Tips for Cooking/Heating Thawed Canned Crab
When heating previously frozen crab meat:
- Heat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Avoid overcooking which can toughen texture.
- Fold into casseroles near the end of baking time.
- Add just before serving for dishes like risotto.
- Sauté briefly in a little butter, oil or sauce.
- Stir into hot pasta along with other ingredients.
Take care not to overcook during heating to preserve moisture and flavor.
Getting the Most from Your Canned Crab Purchase
With proper refrigeration and freezing, a single can of crab meat can go a long way. Follow these general tips:
- Store opened can meat in airtight containers immediately after opening.
- Use within 3 days for refrigeration, 2-3 months for freezing.
- Know the signs of spoilage like smell and slime. When in doubt, toss it out.
- Portion into recipe-size amounts before refrigerating or freezing if possible.
- Follow strict chilling rules when thawing previously frozen portions. Use immediately.
- Enhance flavor of refrigerated crab with spices, lemon, fresh herbs, etc before use.
Treating your canned crab meat with care extends its usable life considerably. Follow these guidelines to get the full value from every can you open.
So go beyond the usual crab cakes and explore the many ways to incorporate canned crab into daily menus. With proper handling, this versatile meat stays fresh and flavorful for many meals to come.
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.
Should you rinse canned crab meat?
How long does canned crab meat last after opening?
To maximize the shelf life of canned crab meat after opening, refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container. How long does opened canned crab meat last in the refrigerator? Crab meat that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days. Is canned crab meat safe to use after the “expiration” date on the package?
How long does canned crab meat last after thawing?
Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – canned crab meat that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. How long does canned crab meat last after being frozen and thawed?
Does canned crab meat need to be refrigerated?
The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions – keep opened crab meat refrigerated and tightly covered. To maximize the shelf life of canned crab meat after opening, refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container. How long does opened canned crab meat last in the refrigerator?
Does crab meat expire?
Refer to the bottom of the crab meat package for the expiration date; it will be written in Month/Day/Year format. Please remember that without proper temperature storage, the product will not be able to reach its intended shelf life. Once opened, how long will the crab meat keep?