The Best Ways to Store Leftover Cooked Crab Legs

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The Best Ways to Store Leftover Cooked Crab Legs

For seafood lovers, few things rival the satisfying crack of crab legs and the succulent meat after a great weekend of crabbing!

Whether from a delicious plate of crab legs from any of your favorite seafood restaurants or a cooked up batch of your own fresh crab meat, I will show you The Best Ways to Store Leftover Cooked Crab Legs.

If you follow my easy steps, your leftover crab legs will maintain their tender texture and freshness to enjoy later!

I will go over the proper ways to store in the fridge or my favorite, freezing crab legs! 

These crab legs shown are from some Dungeness Crab caught a few miles away from us on the Washington State Pacific Coast.

The live crab was brought to shore then cooked up on a grill.

It was a great catch that day and the leftovers were plentiful!

I ended up storing in the fridge for 2 days then freezing for some great crab cakes!

Keep in mind that these instructions I go over will apply to any type of crab you may have.

If you have a larger quantity, or have bigger legs to store, just adjust the size of the bag or plastic container used.

Keep reading as I will go over how to store the crab, what to look for when eating it again, and how to reheat them for your next meal!

Tips to consider when you are ready to store your leftover crab

• Avoid Room Temperature: Never leave cooked crab legs at room temperature for extended periods. Bacterial growth can occur rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). Consuming leftover crab containing harmful bacteria can leading to food poisoning. If you know you are going to have uncooked crab or cooked crab in your car, take a cooler loaded up with ice packs. This ensures the temperature does not fluctuate.

• Refrigerate Promptly: Immediately after the crab legs have cooled down, refrigerate them. The time frame from leaving the restaurant and driving home should be fine. Immediately put them in the coldest part of your refrigerator at a temperature below 40°F (4°C). This cold temperature is the most important thing to remember to extend their shelf life. Check out how to properly wrap them up for the fridge in the section below titled, “Ways to Store Cooked Crab Leftovers in the Fridge”.

• Remove Meat from the Shell: If you have leftover crab meat removed from the shell, or you want to pull the meat from the leg shell before storing, put it in an airtight container to maintain its quality. If you put it in a zip top bag, only keep it this way for 24 hours. When you remove it from the shell it decreases the time it will last in the fridge.

• Make Sure to Use the Leftover Crab or Freeze within 1-2 Days: For the best quality and safety, consume your cooked crab legs within 1-2 days of cooking or purchasing.

Does this method of preserving cooked crab legs work for any type?

Yes! This method of preserving your cooked crab legs works for any type of crab.

Here are some of the most popular varieties of crab that you can find in the grocery store freezer, meat department or fresh from the ocean during crab season!

• Alaskan King Crab Legs: Known for their sweet and succulent meat, Alaskan king crab legs are a seafood delicacy. They are typically the largest and most sought-after crab legs. These are my most favorite of all and the season for them happens during February here in the Pacific Northwest. My husband usually surprises me with some for Valentine’s Day!

• Snow Crab Legs: Snow crab legs have a delicate and slightly sweet flavor. They are smaller than king crab legs but still offer a satisfying crab experience except that you have to crack more shell to get the crab meat out!

• Dungeness Crab: Dungeness crab is known for its rich and sweet flavor. The meat has a tender texture, making it a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. The season for them is in August here in the Pacific Northwest. 

• Blue Crab Legs: Blue crab legs have a distinctive blue-green color and a sweet, briny flavor. They are commonly used in dishes like crab cakes.

• Stone Crab Claws: Stone crab claws are renowned for their sweet and succulent meat. They are often served chilled with a mustard-based dipping sauce.

Ways to Store Cooked Crab Leftovers in the Fridge

• Use a Shallow Airtight Container: The easy method to store cooked crab legs is by placing them in a shallow airtight container. This will prevent moisture loss and keep them from absorbing unpleasant odors from the fridge. I still wrap them in wettened paper towels to help preserve the moisture of the crab meat.

• Use a Large Zip top Freezer Bag: I don’t usually have a large enough container to put the crab legs in, so I will wrap them in cling film then put them in a freezer zip top bag. The thicker plastic meant for freezing prevents other odors from absorbing into the crab. I also put this freezer bag of wrapped crab legs into another bag such as a plastic grocery bag or clean recycled bag. This ensures that if your crab legs do leak out of the original bag it is contained.

How to Store Leftover Cooked Crab Legs in the Freezer

Freezing cooked crab legs is an excellent way to extend their shelf life for a longer period. 

Follow these steps for the best results:

• Wrap Individually:  Before freezing, wrap each crab leg individually in heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap or freezer wrap paper. This will help prevent freezer burn and maintain the crab’s flavor and texture. You can also wrap them in a damp paper towel to help maintain the crab’s moisture.

• Place in Freezer Bags:  Now after wrapping them up, place the individually wrapped crab legs in a freezer bag. This is a great way to ensure they stay as fresh as possible in the freezer. You need to remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it to prevent freezer burn.

• Label and Date: Don’t forget to label the freezer bag with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long the crab legs have been in the freezer since they are only good up to 3 months in the freezer.

• Store in Freezer:  Put the freezer bag in the coldest part of your freezer, ensuring a consistent temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower. This is usually in the back of the freezer on the top shelf. Putting it in the back reduces the exposure to warm air everytime you open the freezer door.

• Use within 2-3 Months: While frozen crab legs can be safe to eat for a longer period, it’s best to consume them within 2-3 months for the best quality. This is still a long time compared to only a few days in the fridge.

The Easiest Way to Check that your Crab Legs are Still Good Before Reheating

After you have stored the crab legs in the fridge or freezer and you are ready to eat them, there are a few ways you can tell if they are still good to eat.

Even if you took all of the precautions and stored them correctly, it is better to err on the side of caution and check anyway.

Here are some key indicators to help you ensure your crab legs are at their best:

• Does it have a sour smell?: Your leftover crab legs should have a pleasant, briny aroma reminiscent of the sea. If you detect a sour or unpleasant odor, it may indicate spoilage, and the crab legs should not be consumed.

• Does it have a slimy texture?: Your crab legs should be firm and not have a slimy or slippery texture. This sliminess can be a sign of bacterial growth and spoilage and it is not worth it to consume them.

• What type of appearance do they have?: The crab legs should have a vibrant and appealing color, depending on the type of crab. For example, blue crab legs should have a blue-green hue, while Alaskan king crab legs should be bright red.

• Do they have a tender texture?: When you touch the crab legs, they should feel firm and have a tender texture. If they are mushy or excessively soft, they may not be any good and need to be discarded.

• Are there ice crystals on the crab legs?: If you’re purchasing frozen crab legs from the grocery store or are retrieving your crab legs you have frozen, check for the absence of large ice crystals. If there are large ice crystals, this can indicate that the crab legs have been thawed and refrozen, or they are freezer burnt.

How to Reheat your Leftover Cooked Crab Legs

Reheating your cooked crab legs is a simple process and can be done in a variety of ways.

I will go over some different ways you can prepare your reheated crab legs for eating.

These instructions are for cooked crab legs from the fridge, or frozen crab legs you have thawed overnight in the fridge.

Before you begin to reheat them, let your leftover crab legs sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.

This is an essential step as it allows the crab legs to heat more evenly.

Make sure to keep them moist by adding some melted butter or olive oil before you start reheating.

You do not want to reheat your crab legs from frozen.

Here are some cooking methods you can try:

• Boiling: Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add in the crab legs. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. This method is quick and retains the crab’s natural flavors. You may want to add in a little sprinkling of some Old Bay Seasoning for added umph.

• Steaming them in Steamer Pots: Place the crab legs in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 5-7 minutes. Steaming preserves the crab’s tenderness and moisture very well.

• Baking: Arrange the crab legs in a shallow baking dish. Brush them with melted butter, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until heated through. You may also consider adding in one inch of water at the bottom of the dish to gently steam them while baking.

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Line your air fryer basket or tray with some parchment paper. Lightly brush the crab legs with oil, and air fry for 8-10 minutes for a crispy exterior. 

• Instant Pot: Place a cup of water in the Instant Pots bottom and put in the steamer rack. You should make sure to add enough water to the bottom of the pot so it comes to pressure. One cup is standard. Add the crab legs to the rack inside of the pot and cook on high pressure for 1-2 minutes. Quick release the pressure as soon as the time is up. You will enjoy the most tender crab meat this way. It is my favorite as it steams the crab in a lot less time than the steamer pot, and does not heat up my kitchen with steam.

The most important thing to remember is that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the crab legs, so adjust accordingly. 

The internal temperature of cooked crab meat should reach 145°F (63°C) to ensure food safety.

Whether you’re indulging in a delicious seafood treat at a seafood restaurant or cooking fresh crab legs at home, following these simple tips for proper storage, freezing, and cooking methods are essential to ensure the best quality and safety. 

Now you know the best way to store your leftover crab legs and how to reheat them for a delicious dinner! Bon Appétit!

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