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.
You’ve just bought some fresh crab and now you’re wondering – how long will this keep in my fridge before it goes bad? It’s an important question to ask, as storing seafood properly is crucial for food safety. Eating spoiled crab can cause some really unpleasant symptoms, so you want to make sure you keep that crab meat in optimum condition.
In this article, I’ll walk through exactly how long uncooked crab will last in the fridge, how to tell if it’s gone bad, plus tips for safe storage My goal is to equip you with all the knowledge you need to keep your crab as fresh as possible!
How Long Does Uncooked Crab Last in the Fridge?
The shelf life for uncooked crab meat stored in the fridge is
- Raw crab meat: 3 to 4 days from the purchase date
- Cooked crab meat: 3 to 5 days from the cooked date
The key is to keep uncooked crab chilled at 40°F or below. Once cooked, the shelf life decreases quickly without proper refrigeration.
According to food safety experts. raw crab meat lasts
- 2 hours at room temperature
- 3 to 4 days in the fridge
- 2 to 3 months in the freezer
Meanwhile, cooked crab meat only lasts:
- 2 hours at room temperature
- 3 to 5 days in the fridge
- 2 to 3 months in the freezer
So it’s clear that crab meat doesn’t last too long once cooked. Make sure to eat it within 3 to 5 days and don’t leave it sitting out!
Proper Storage for Uncooked Crab
To maximize how long crab stays fresh, focus on proper storage:
- Keep raw crab chilled at 40°F or below
- Store in original packaging or an airtight container
- Place crab in the coldest part of the fridge (bottom shelf)
- Never store in the fridge door where temperature fluctuates
- Wrap cooked crab tightly in plastic wrap or foil
- Don’t allow raw juices to contaminate other foods
Once cooked, it’s best to use crab meat within a few days. But you can extend the shelf life by freezing. Wrap the crab meat tightly in freezer bags, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil before freezing. It will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Thaw frozen crab overnight in the fridge. Don’t leave it sitting out on the counter.
How to Tell If Uncooked Crab Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that raw crab has spoiled and is unsafe to eat:
- Strong, sour, or ammonia-like smell
- Mold or slimy texture
- Discoloration or unnatural hues
- Liquid oozing from the meat
- Off taste (do not taste meat if you suspect it’s bad)
Cooked crab also spoils quickly. Signs that cooked crab has gone bad include:
- Sour or “off” smell
- Dry, stringy texture
- Unpleasant taste
- Weird coloration like gray, blue or milky
- Slime or food residue on the crab
Your senses are the best tools for determining freshness. If in doubt, throw it out!
Can Eating Spoiled Crab Make You Sick?
Yes, consuming expired crab meat can cause foodborne illness. Eating spoiled seafood puts you at risk for:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever, headache, chills
- Dehydration
In severe cases, food poisoning from crab can even be life-threatening. But this is extremely rare.
To avoid getting sick, inspect crab carefully before cooking. Look for off-smells, slime, and discoloration. And remember – when in doubt, throw it out! Don’t taste meat you suspect has spoiled.
Storing Uncooked Crab Safely
Now that you know how quickly crab meat spoils, here are some top food safety tips:
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Buy fresh: Pick crab meat that is refrigerated or displayed on ice. Avoid pre-cooked crab meat.
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Check the sell-by date: Don’t purchase crab that is past its sell-by date.
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Keep it cold: Refrigerate crab immediately, don’t leave it sitting out.
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Use within 4 days: Eat fresh raw crab meat within 3-4 days of purchase.
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Handle carefully: Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw crab away from cooked foods.
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Cook thoroughly: Cook crab to an internal temperature of 140 ̊F. Reheating until steaming hot is also advised.
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When in doubt, toss it out! Don’t taste questionable crab meat. Play it safe and throw away crab that smells, looks, or feels off.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect you and your family from food poisoning. Take steps to store seafood safely. Then you can enjoy the amazing taste of fresh crab, without the worries!
Storing Cooked Crab Meat
Cooked crab is even more perishable than raw crab. Follow these storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate cooked crab within 2 hours
- Store in shallow airtight containers
- Place on ice or bottom shelf of fridge
- Eat within 3-5 days for best quality
- Discard crab with an off smell or appearance
Previously frozen or canned crab meat may have a shorter fridge life. Always err on the side of caution when dealing with cooked seafood. The general rule is to eat crab within 3-5 days of cooking for optimal freshness and food safety.
Freezing Uncooked Crab Meat
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of fresh crab meat. Here are some freezing tips:
- Freeze raw crab meat within 2 days of purchasing
- Portion crab meat into airtight containers or bags
- Remove as much air as possible before sealing
- Freeze at 0°F or below for best quality
- Once frozen, crab meat lasts 2-3 months in the freezer
- Thaw in the fridge before using
Avoid freezing crab meat more than once. The texture tends to deteriorate with each thaw. For best results, use freshly thawed or never-frozen crab.
Is It Safe to Eat Frozen Crab That’s Past the Expiration Date?
It’s not recommended to eat frozen crab meat past the printed expiration date on the packaging. The expiration date applies to frozen food as well as fresh.
Crab that has been in the freezer too long can pose some health risks:
- Quality deteriorates over time, resulting in poor flavor/texture
- Bacteria can still grow at freezing temperatures
- Risk of cross contamination increases
- Higher histamine levels may cause allergic reaction
For optimal quality and food safety, try to eat frozen crab meat within 2-3 months. If keeping frozen crab for longer, inspect carefully before thawing and cooking. Check for any signs of freezer burn, odor changes, or texture changes before using.
Answering Common Questions
Here are answers to some other common questions about storing uncooked crab:
How can you tell if thawed crab has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled thawed crab include an unpleasant or sour smell, unnatural discoloration, dry/mushy texture, or milky appearance. When in doubt, throw it out!
Can you refreeze thawed crab meat?
It’s best not to refreeze previously frozen crab meat. Refreezing can negatively affect the taste, texture, and safety of the crab.
How should you handle raw crab meat?
Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw crab away from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils after handling. Cook to proper internal temperature.
Can you get food poisoning from eating undercooked crab?
Yes, for safety crab should be cooked to an internal temperature of 140 ̊F. Consuming undercooked crab poses risk of bacteria or parasites. Reheating until steaming is recommended.
Should you rinse raw crab before cooking?
Washing raw crab is not recommended, as this can spread bacteria. Thorough cooking is the best way to kill any pathogens present.
Can you eat the mustard inside crabs?
The green glands or tomalley inside a crab should not be eaten due to potential bacterial contamination. Cooked crab meat is safe, but discard the mustard.
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.