Keeping crabs in the freezer....how long

[ILLSWIMHOME]

Just a heads up, uncooked cleaned crabs do not stay good in a freezer for 6 months.  Just an FYI.

[tattoo]

mine are luckey to last a couple of days. 

[Sunpal]

The trick I learned is to put the crabs, after cleaning them, in a double zip-lock bag, and fill the bag with cold water.  Force the air bubbles out and place the bags flat in the freezer.  I've had excellent crabs after 6 months and longer.  They do start to dry out eventually, but I've had some frozen for a year with no complaints.

[KristieInPA]

Doesnt the water make the meat squishy? We are trying to figure out how to freeze crabs for winter supply.

[Sunpal]

Doesnt the water make the meat squishy? We are trying to figure out how to freeze crabs for winter supply

Not at all, just get 'em in the freezer as soon as the bag is filled.  To thaw them I place the crabs in a collander and run cool water on them for a few minutes.  I've never had a problem since I started doing it this way.

[ILLSWIMHOME]

The trick I learned is to put the crabs, after cleaning them, in a double zip-lock bag, and fill the bag with cold water.  Force the air bubbles out and place the bags flat in the freezer.  I've had excellent crabs after 6 months and longer.  They do start to dry out eventually, but I've had some frozen for a year with no complaints.

This time next yr I'll try to remember to post a reply when I try that.....thx for the tip!

[Black Irish]

I pack crabmeat into the Ziplock sandwich size containers and freeze overnight. The next day, top them off with water and refreeze. They stack nicely and no freezer burn for six months. Never had a container hang around longer than that. Softshells can be done that way too. I also freeze cooked claws in ziplock freezer bags, no water and they keep at least six months too.

[tattoo]

Thanks for that GREAT info. I will have to remember that. 

[horsefly]

We've never had this problem. We process them as say in a gumbo style crab. By that I mean it's cleaned live and rinsed (we live legs and biters on) then we put on a tray and pack into 1lb bags. Blast frozen, (not IQF) Just regular freezinf at -20. We sometimes sit on them for 2-3 weeks before our buyer takes shipment then they sit again for up to 6 months. Never had a problem. Here's another idea you can vacuum pack them, getting all the air out helps them keep better and longer.

[masspi]

I have always steamed, cooled and freeze the crabs packed in zip-lock bags and held at about 10 below in my freezer.  I don't clean and have kept them as long as 6 months with no signs of spoilage or degradation of meat quality. Don't know what I am doing right or wrong, but it works for me.