Expert: Greg Shreenan - 7/21/2008

Question
Can I freeze crabs in their shells or do I have to remove the meat?

Answer
Hi Frankie, thanks for allowing me to answer your excellent question.  

You should remove the meat from the crab and then freeze it in a bag if you have had some left over from a meal and you want to save the meat for later.  

You can freeze the whole crab if you boil it then immediately put it in the freezer.  You will want to glaze it if you are going to keep it in there for any length of time.  Take the crab out after it is frozen and rinse it briefly in cold water and then put it back in the freezer in a thick plastic back like a zip lock freezer bag.

Crab meat will not stay long in the freezer before it gets mushy.  2-3 weeks is about the most I would suggest.  I like crab meat on my salad so I just keep it a day or two and sprinkle it on my salad.

Thanks for choosing me to answer your great question Frankie.

May the road rise up to meet you, and the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields...

Have a great day!

Your Friend, The Fish Guy,

Greg