Shelf Life Tips
- How long does frozen crab meat last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep crab meat frozen at all times.
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Properly stored, frozen crab meat will maintain best quality for about 6 months in the freezer, although it will usually remain safe to eat after that.
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Is frozen crab meat safe to eat after the expiration date on the package? Yes, if properly stored - commercially frozen crab meat will typically carry a “Best By," "Best if Used By," “Best Before”, or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the crab meat will remain at peak quality.
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How long will frozen crab meat remain safe to eat? Frozen crab meat that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely, as long as it has been stored properly and the package is not damaged.
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How long can you safely leave frozen crab meat at room temperature? Frozen crab meat should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature, as bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F.
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How to tell if frozen crab meat is no longer good? If dry spots or discoloration have developed on the frozen crab meat, freezer burn has begun to set in - this will not make the crab meat unsafe to eat, but it will harm the texture and taste.
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