Crab is a delicious seafood that can be enjoyed in many different ways. You can eat it steamed, sautéed, boiled, or grilled and there are tons of recipes for crab on the internet. Crab is also very fun to cook with because you can use any part of the crab meat (including the legs) to make something tasty in your kitchen! What happens if you can’t cook them yet, but need to store them in the fridge? How long will uncooked crabs last in the fridge?
The shelf life of uncooked crab depends on a variety of factors, such as the best-by date, the preparation method, and how it is stored. The approximate shelf life of uncooked crab without preservatives is 1 to 2 days in the fridge.
How Long Does Uncooked Crab Last at Room Temperature?
Uncooked crabs are considered a perishable food product, so they should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2-3 hours.
Bacteria will start to grow on the crabs after 2 hours at room temperature. If it’s very hot, bacteria could grow on them much sooner.
If you’re not planning to cook the crabs within 2 hours, it’s best to store them in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.
How to Tell if Uncooked Crabs Have Gone Bad
There are two ways to tell if your uncooked crabs have gone bad: smell and appearance.
Smell
If you can smell an off odor from the crabs, then they are bad. This can be caused by bacteria or mold development. If your crab smells, it’s best to throw them out immediately because this means that there is something wrong with them and no amount of cooking will make them safe to consume.
Appearance
It’s important to make sure that your crabs are not only smelling good but also look good as well. The shell should be intact and firm without any holes or cracks in it. The meat inside should be bright red and not brownish or yellowish in color. The claws should be full and plump with no signs of dryness or cracking along their edges.
How To Store Uncooked Crab In The Fridge
To store uncooked crab, keep the crab in a sealed container and place it in the coldest part of your fridge.
Place the container on a plate or other surface that can absorb any drips that leak during transport to prevent spills on other foods.
Do not store uncooked crab near cooked food items because they may cross-contaminate each other while refrigerating and spoil faster than normal due to their different temperatures.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Crabs?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked crab. But there are some important things to keep in mind.
First of all, freezing raw crab is not recommended because it can cause a loss of flavor and texture. Freezing will cause ice crystals to form inside the meat, and these crystals can rupture cell walls and damage proteins in seafood products.
Secondly, I recommend cooking your crabs first before freezing them — this way they will taste better when cooked again later on.
Lastly, freeze uncooked crabs in their shells. This will help keep them fresh and prevent freezer burn to the meat. The shells will act as a shield to prevent the cold temperature from damaging the meat.
Conclusion
Hopefully, I’ve answered your question about how long uncooked crab lasts in the fridge. As you can see, there are many factors at play when it comes to the shelf life of this seafood product. It all depends on how long it takes for bacteria and other microorganisms to spoil foods like these crabs, especially if it’s uncooked. As long as it’s fresh and properly stored in the fridge, you can expect your uncooked crabs to last for about 1-2 days.
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
