Yes. You can freeze blue crabs, however, I would strongly recommend against it. If you are planning on freezing them before cooking them, remove the shell and clean out the inner organs first. For cooked crab meat, place it in an airtight container before freezing. It can last up to 3 months in your freezer. Make sure to place a date on the container so you have a clear “use by” date.
Does freezing crab meat affect the taste?
Freezing crab meat can affect its taste and texture, but these effects can be minimized by properly wrapping and storing the meat, and by thawing it slowly in the refrigerator.
What recipes is frozen crab meat good for?
Frozen crab meat can be used in a wide range of recipes, including crab cakes, crab soup or bisque, crab rangoon, crab Alfredo, crab rolls, and crab omelets. However, I recommend using fresh meat in your crab cake recipe where crab meat is the main ingredient. For recipes where crab meat is just one of many ingredients, using frozen meat is often acceptable.
Try these recipes:
Crab Alfredo: Cook pasta according to package instructions, and toss with a sauce made from butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and the thawed crab meat.
Crab omelet: Beat eggs with a splash of milk and seasonings, and cook in a pan until set. Top with the thawed crab meat and shredded cheese, and fold the omelet in half.
Crab bisque: Sauté onions, celery, and garlic in butter add in thawed crab meat and chicken broth, and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Puree the mixture in a blender or with an immersion blender, and stir in heavy cream and sherry.
How to thaw frozen crab meat
To thaw frozen crab meat, place the container in the refrigerator and allow it to defrost slowly, preferably overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw the crab meat more quickly by placing the container in a bowl of cold water. Do not thaw at room temperature, as this can cause bacteria to grow and spoil the meat. Once thawed, use the meat as soon as possible for the best taste and texture.
Is frozen crab meat already cooked?
Yes. When you buy frozen crab meat from your grocer’s freezer or local seafood market, it has been cooked. Once it has been thawed, you can eat it directly from the container. When thawing it out, be sure to do it slowly to avoid ruining the texture of the crab meat. Many people rush the process or defrost using a microwave. This will cause the crab meat to become soft or mushy.
What is the best way to store leftover crabs?
If you have leftover steamed crabs, you can store safely them in your refrigerator for 3 – 5 days with good results. The best way to store them is to first clean or pick the crabs, and place just the meat in an air-tight container.
What to avoid in handling crab meat
While fresh crab meat is always best, there may be times when you have more than you can eat in one setting. Crab meat is quite expensive, so it makes sense to try to use it for another meal. However, you should avoid the following when it comes to reusing crab meat:
- Do not freeze and thaw it repeatedly. Freezing and thawing crab meat multiple times can cause the texture to become less desirable and the flavor to deteriorate.
- Do not use if it has an off smell or appearance. If the crab meat has an unpleasant odor or looks slimy or discolored, it may be spoiled and should not be eaten.
