Knowing the shelf life of fresh mussels is very important, this is because if you eat them when they have turned bad you will definitely get sick. The article below discusses how long you can keep fresh mussels in the fridge in order avoid any catastrophic incidences.
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How long can you keep fresh mussels in the fridge?
You can keep fresh mussels in the fridge for approximately 2 to 3 days. After that they will start to turn bad. In order to keep fresh mussels in the fridge for 2 to 3 days you need to store them using the right method. Here is the correct method for storing fresh mussels in the fridge.
How to keep fresh mussels in the fridge
NB: this is the best method for keeping fresh mussels in the fridge and it is not time consuming.
Step 1
In order to keep fresh mussels in the fridge for 2 to 3 days you have to start by placing the fresh mussels in a bowl. You can pile them in the bowl nothing bad will happen to them. If you have a colander then you can place the fresh mussels in a colander but make sure you place a dish at the bottom of the colander. The dish will help to catch any liquid produced by the fresh mussels.
Step 2
Once you have placed the fresh mussels in the bowl or colander you have to take a wet paper towel or cloth. Place it on top of the fresh mussels, this will help to ensure that the mussels remain fresh.
Step 3
Place the fresh mussels in the fridge. It is highly advisable to store fresh mussels at the bottom of the fridge, usually at the back area. This is where the temperatures of the fridge are really constant.
Tips for keeping fresh mussels in the fridge
- Never store fresh mussels in a closed bag or container. This is because they will die. They need to be stored in an open container so that they can breathe.
- Store fresh mussels as soon as possible. Do not leave them lying around at room temperature. This is because they will spoil faster.
- When keeping fresh mussels in the fridge place them in an area where they do not contaminate other foods. This is because fresh mussels produce liquid while in the fridge and it can spill off and contaminate your other foods.
- Check your fresh mussels on a daily basis and drain out any liquid in the container. This will help to ensure that the mussels stay fresh.
- When placing the fresh mussels in the bowl do not add any water as it can kill them and cause them to spoil faster.
- When keeping fresh mussels in the fridge ensure that the temperature of the fridge is below 40 degrees. That is the most conducive temperature for fresh mussels to be stored in.
How to keep fresh mussels in the freezer
NB: fresh mussels can be kept in the freezer for a long period of time. However, they will die in the freezer but will still remain safe to eat.
Step 1
When you are planning on keeping fresh mussels in the freezer start by cleaning them. In order to do this you need to use a brush and clean the shells with water. Remove the grits and barnacles. Also remove the beards using a scissors.
Step 2
Once you have cleaned the fresh mussels, place them in a freezer bag. Take out as much air as possible from the freezer bag. This will help to preserve the fresh mussels for a longer period of time.
Step 3
Label the freezer bag with the date in which you are storing fresh mussels in the freezer. This will help to remind you of when they are most likely to turn bad. You can keep fresh mussels for 3 months in the freezer.
How to thaw fresh mussels
The best method of thawing fresh mussels is to transfer them from the freezer into the fridge. The process can take a number of hours therefore, you need to be someone who plans ahead when using this method. The other method that you can use to thaw fresh mussels is to thaw the fresh mussels in a bowl of cold water. The process can take you about an hour. Once you have thawed your mussels you have to cook them. This helps to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
How to keep cooked mussels in the fridge
NB: keeping cooked mussels in the fridge only preserves them for 2 to 4 days. Therefore, you need to eat them before they turn bad.
Step 1
When storing cooked mussels in the fridge you need to start by letting them cool down at room temperature. Once they have cooled, take the cooked mussels and place them in an air tight container. You can also add the cooking broth for the cooked mussel before closing the container.
Step 2
Place the container with the cooked mussels in the fridge. They will last for 2 to 4 days.
How to keep cooked mussels in the freezer
NB: the freezer stores cooked mussels for up to 4 months.
Step 1
In order to store cooked mussels in the freezer you have to start by removing the meat from the shells. However, in order to properly take the meat out of the shells you need to ensure that the cooked mussels are at room temperature. This is because it can be a bit hard to extract the meat while the shells are hot.
Step 2
Once you have removed the meat from it shells the next step is to place it in an air tight container or a freezer bag that is leak proof. Add the broth to the cooked mussels and seal the freezer bags or container.
Step 3
Indicate the date in which you are storing cooked mussels in the fridge. This will help you to remember when they are most likely to turn bad. Keep cooked mussels in the freezer for 4 months.