Can You Freeze Crayfish? – Easy Guide!

I have got amazing news. Yes. You can freeze Crayfish easily and successfully. It is best to freeze it when it is still freshly caught out of the water or maximum within 48 hours.

I just love the fresh out of the sea crayfish. And since it is not often that I go to the fish market, I prefer to buy the fresh seafood in bulk and freeze it when it is still fresh, so that I have it at hand whenever I am craving any seafood dish.

Crayfish, crawfish, mudbugs, crawdads, or yabbies are the mini lobsters of the sea. They resemble the fancy and delicious lobsters so much, but on a smaller scale. Usually enjoyed as a soup or bisques. I love to eat mine with pasta or in a seafood salad. Butter or vinaigrette are also good marinade options for the crayfish.

How to freeze crayfish

Generally speaking, you can freeze raw crayfish or already cooked in a meal crayfish. However, you have to make sure that the cooked one wasn’t previously frozen. If you want to pre-cook your dish and freeze it so that it is ready for serving after quickly reheating it, then you can absolutely do so after making sure it is cool first.

Freezing cooked crayfish:

1. Once your cooked crayfish is cool to at least room temperature, place it inside a freezer bag or a freezer-friendly container and seal it tightly. You can also wrap it in cling film.
2. Label the bag with the date of freezing and the contents so that it is easy for you to distinguish it from all the other food placed in the freezer.

You can freeze the crayfish whole or only the claw meat and tails, whichever you prefer more.

Freezing uncooked crayfish:

1. Before you attempt to freeze your raw crayfish, you have to allow the crayfish to sit in a bowl filled with water for at least an hour.
2. Check the water for any dead crayfish. Discard the ones that are dead.
3. For the rest of the crayfish, separate the tails from the heads, then rinse the tails separately in a colander for at least 20 seconds. You can keep the head to make a delicious soup with them.
4. As a way to preserve the color of the crayfish tails. Dip them in water containing lemon juice.
5. Warp each tail individually in freezer paper. Place all the wrapped tails in a large freezer bag. Seal it tightly, but leave an inch of extra space before sealing the bag.
6. Label the bag with the date of freezing and the contents so that it is easy for you to distinguish it from all the other food placed in the freezer.

How long does crayfish last in the freezer?

It can last in the freezer for up to two months. Refrigeration also works, but only for a few days, so don’t refrigerate unless you know you are going to cook it within a short period of time.

How to defrost crayfish

Generally speaking, meat should be defrosted slowly in the fridge. That’s why, I prefer to just move my crayfish from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to slowly defrost overnight. Don’t attempt to defrost it on the counter.

The smaller the frozen portion, the less time it would take to completely defrost.

Frequently asked questions:

Now that we are done with the detailed steps of freezing both raw and cooked crayfish. Here is a list of some of the common questions that I have gotten throughout the process:

How long does crawfish last in the fridge?

If stored properly in an airtight container, they can last for 2 to 4 days without any change in color or flavor.

Why do crawfish turn black?

The more they age, the darker in color they become. Although still perfectly good and delicious to eat, their shell might be tougher and more towards the dark color.

Can you microwave crawfish?

Yes. You can absolutely do so. Just cover plate with a towel and place it in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes.

Relates posts:

Can You Freeze Water Chestnuts?

Can You Freeze Cottage Pie?

Can You Freeze Lentil Curry?