How you store crab meat and whether it is cooked affect how long it stays fresh in the fridge. Cooked crab meat tends to go bad very quickly if it isn’t stored correctly. Uncooked crab meat should be used within three to four days of purchase. Then, once it’s cooked, if you store it right, it will last another three to five days in the fridge.
Crab meat is one of the most delicious and coveted seafood delicacies. Its sweet, succulent flavor makes it a luxurious treat. However, like any perishable food, crab meat has a limited shelf life. This leaves many fans wondering – how long is crab meat good after the sell by date?
As a hearty crab meat fan myself, I decided to do some careful research to uncover the answers on crab meat’s shelf life. Keep reading for a comprehensive look at how to store crab meat, signs of spoilage, freezing guidelines, and more tips to enjoy crab meat safely after the sell by date expires.
Understanding the Sell By Date
First, let’s clarify what that sell by date actually means. The sell by date is the last date stores are supposed to display and sell the product. It offers a recommendation for peak quality, but not an expiration date.
Crab meat can still be used for a period after the sell by date, as long as it has been properly stored The sell by date serves as a useful freshness guide, but relying on your senses is the best way to determine if crab meat has spoiled
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To get the longest safe shelf life after the sell by date. be sure to store crab meat correctly
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Keep refrigerated below 40°F at all times, even before opening.
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Place crab meat on a low shelf in the coldest section of the refrigerator, never in the door.
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Store opened crab meat in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
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Avoid any cross-contamination by keeping crab meat away from raw meats and their juices.
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Use cleaned utensils and dishes when handling opened crab meat.
Proper refrigeration is key for maintaining both quality and safety. Keeping crab meat chilled prevents bacterial growth.
How Long After the Sell By Date?
With ideal storage, crab meat will typically last:
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2-3 days past the sell by date for peak freshness and flavor.
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4-5 days past the sell by date for acceptable but declining quality and taste.
The firmer texture of jumbo lump crab meat helps it keep a bit longer than claw or special crab meat. But no type of crab meat should be consumed more than 5 days past its sell by date, even when properly stored.
Signs That Crab Meat Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses to determine if crab meat is still good or needs to be discarded:
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Look: Discoloration, slimy texture, unappetizing grayish tint
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Smell: Noticeable unpleasant, sour, ammonia-like odor
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Feel: Unusually soft, mushy, slimy consistency
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Taste: Strong fishy, sour, bitter, acidic flavor
If you notice any of these indications of spoilage, it is safest to throw the crab meat away. Consuming spoiled crab meat can potentially cause foodborne illness.
Can Crab Meat Be Frozen?
Freezing and thawing does impact the texture, but freezing can extend the shelf life. Here are some guidelines:
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Freeze crab meat in airtight packaging or containers to prevent freezer burn.
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For best quality, use frozen crab meat within 2-3 months.
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Thaw frozen crab meat overnight in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
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Do not refreeze previously frozen crab meat.
Preparing Leftover Crab Meat
Rather than letting it go to waste, use leftover crab meat within the recommended window in recipes like:
- Crab cakes
- Seafood salad
- Linguine and crab alfredo
- Crab macaroni and cheese
- Crab stuffed mushrooms
- Crab quesadillas
- Crab salad sandwiches
- Crab omelets or frittatas
Cooking leftover crab meat gives it a slightly longer shelf life in the prepared dish.
Vacuum Sealed Crab Meat
Properly vacuum sealed crab meat, either fresh or frozen, can last significantly longer than traditional packaging. Vacuum sealing removes oxygen and reduces bacteria growth. Follow the use by date for vacuum packed crab meat, stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Choosing High Quality Crab Meat
Not all crab meat is created equal. Buying high quality crab meat from a reputable source to begin with gives you a better tasting product that will keep its freshness longer after the sell by date.
Here are tips for picking top-notch crab meat:
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Choose a trusted brand and local crab when possible.
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Look for crab meat graded as “jumbo lump” for best value.
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Opt for crab meat packaged in the USA under close regulation.
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Avoid discoloration, added fillers, or stray shell pieces.
Investing in high quality crab meat means enjoying every last delicious bite, even those days after the sell by date!
Questions to Consider Before Consuming Crab Meat
Being an educated consumer helps you handle seafood safely. When assessing older crab meat, ask yourself:
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How long has it been refrigerated? Was the cold chain broken?
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Does the crab meat smell normal or is there an off odor?
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Is the color and texture as expected or deteriorated?
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Have I followed the storage guidelines stringently?
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Am I willing to risk eating questionable crab meat?
When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sick!
Trusting Your Own Judgement
While sell by dates, proper storage, and freezing can prolong the shelf life of crab meat, your senses are the best tool for determining safety and quality. Smell and visually inspect crab meat rather than relying on a date. If it looks, smells or feels spoiled – discard it.
Favorite Ways to Enjoy Crab Meat
In my opinion, the sweet succulence of crab meat is too good to waste. Here are some of my favorite ways to savor crab meat at its freshest:
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Simple crab salad with just a squeeze of lemon
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Buttery toasted brioche crab cake sandwiches
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Elevated crab mac and cheese with gruyere and goat cheese
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Light and lemony crab and avocado spring rolls
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Indulgent crab fettuccine alfredo
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Unique crab meat sushi rolls wrapped in soy paper
With proper handling, you can continue enjoying the glorious flavors of crab meat for up to 3 days past its sell by date. Just follow the safety guidelines and use your best judgment to relish crab meat at its peak.
The next time you buy this luxurious delicacy, reference this guide. With the right storage and handling, you can feel confident keeping and preparing crab meat beyond the sell by date for maximum enjoyment of this succulent seafood.
How Should Crab Be Stored?
Don’t leave cooked crab out at room temperature for longer than it needs to be. This will keep it fresh and help it last longer. The maximum amount of time it can sit outside the refrigerator is two hours. Keep it in its original box or a shallow container that won’t let air in. You can also wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Then place it in the coldest part of the fridge, usually the bottom, as the cold air sinks. To further extend its shelf life, you may freeze crab indefinitely. However, it will only be at its best quality if used within two to three months. Use an airtight container with a lid, a heavy-duty freezer bag, or tightly wrap it in freezer wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil to store it in the freezer.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Crab?
Put frozen crab in an airtight container and put it in the fridge overnight. This is the best way for it to thaw. Put the crab in a plastic bag and run cold water over it. If you need it to thaw quickly, put the bag under a sink or bowl full of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the crab is defrosted. Once thawed, the crab should be cooked or consumed immediately.
How can I tell if my meat’s gone bad?
FAQ
How long does crab last after sell by date?
Can you eat canned crab meat past the best by date?
How long is sealed crab meat good for in the fridge?
How to tell if crab has gone bad?
How long does crab meat last after expiration date?
Crab meat should smell a bit sweet; if it has a strong, fishy, sour odorit’s time to toss it. The shelf-life in a fridge is 3 to 5 days and in the freezer is 6 to 9 months. How long is crab meat in a can good after expiration date? How long does an unopened packaged of pasteurized crab meat last after the sell-by date?
How long does canned crab meat last if unrefrigerated?
Properly stored, unopened canned crab meat that was sold unrefrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 5 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that. Is unopened canned crab meat safe to use after the “expiration” date on the can or package?
Is crab meat safe to eat?
Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) – commercially packaged crab meat will typically carry a Best By, Best if Used By, Best Before, or Best When Used By date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer’s estimate of how How long is can crab meat good for?
How long is meat safe to use after a sell-by date?
How long is meat or poultry safe to use after the sell-by date? While product dating is not generally required by federal regulations, many stores and processors may voluntarily date packages of fresh or uncooked meat and poultry products. Use or freeze beef, veal, pork, and lamb products with a “Sell-By” date within 3 to 5 days of purchase.