Freshwater crustaceans, such as crawfish, are among the most popular seafood options. In addition to crawfish, it’s also known as crayfish, freshwater lobster, or yabbies, among other names.
You can refer to it in many different ways. Nevertheless, its high nutritional value and deliciousness never change!
All things, however, have their advantages and disadvantages. These crustaceans are bad because after they die, they turn bad quickly.
Thus, storing them properly is essential. To store any food, freezing is the most recommended method.
Are crawfish freezer friendly? Definitely! Crawfish can be frozen. Uncooked crawfish should be frozen by removing the tails, rinsing them underwater, and then wrapping in freezer paper.
Remove any dead crawfish from the pile, as well as any dead crawfish that have already died. The crawfish tails can be kept for up to five months in freezer bags.
The methods we’ve compiled here will let you know how to freeze crawfish, so keep reading to see all the methods!
Is It Possible to Freeze Crawfish?
As crawfish have a unique texture, they can be stored in the freezer for 3-5 months. Also, you can freeze just the tail or the entire fish.
How To Freeze Crawfish
Whenever you cook crawfish, you usually cook a lot of them, so you’re almost certain to have some leftovers. Our recommendation is to freeze them right away after finishing them setting the freshest possible crawfish. Throw out any dead crawfish (its tail will stick straight out if it is dead).
Since this crawfish did not die from cooking, its meat is probably spoiled and not suitable for consumption.
Below are the steps you should follow when freezing crawfish.
Freezing Uncooked Crawfish
Place the crawfish in a large container filled with water. Wait one hour after that.
Make sure there are no dead crawfish. Remove them immediately if you find any.
Separate the tail straight from the body of the fresh ones. If you want to rinse the tail for a few seconds, place it in a colander.
This step involves dipping the tail in diluted lemon juice with a bit of water. By doing so, the color will be preserved.
Once the tail is wrapped in freezer paper, you are ready to proceed. With the other tail, repeat the same steps.
These wrapped tails should be placed in a freezer bag. A space of 1 inch should be left at the top.
Make sure the bag is dated. Lastly, freeze it.
Freezing Cooked Crawfish
You must first find crawfish with straight tails before you can freeze them. A bad crawfish shows that it has bad meat.
Fresh crawfish should be used instead of those with a straight tail.
Let the crawfish air-dry for about 10-20 minutes in a colander.
Last but not least, place the crawfish in a freezer bag.
How Long Can You Leave Crawfish In The Freezer?
You can freeze both cooked and uncooked crawfish for varying amounts of time.
In the freezer, cooked crawfish remains fresh for about 3 months. You can still eat them after that, but the quality will deteriorate. When left in the freezer for a long time, they become bland.
About 3 months is the maximum time that uncooked crawfish can be stored in the freezer. The majority of frozen items will remain fresh for about 4-5 months if they are vacuum-sealed. here you can find Can You Freeze Scotch Eggs?
Related Questions
Here are some questions related to freezing crawfish after we’ve discussed how to freeze crawfish.
1. Why do crawfish turn black?
As they grow older, crawfish lose color. A crawfish with an older shell (which can still be eaten) is likely to be a bit tougher and more difficult to peel.
2. How long does crawfish last in the fridge?
Depending on the way you store them, crawfish can last up to four days. If you want to preserve the flavor and color of crawfish in the fridge, it’s best to store them in airtight containers.
3. Can you microwave crawfish?
Sure! Crawfish can be microwaved. Make sure you cover it properly with a cloth before putting it in the microwave for 4-5 minutes.
