Yes, There's A Correct Way To Store Imitation Crab Meat

Like many home foodies, you may have figured out by now what imitation crab is made of: it's minced white fish like cod or pollock that's mixed with binders and seasonings and shaped into rolls called surimi. Despite being a dupe for the many types of fresh crab on the market, surimi definitely has a valid place in the food world. It is cheaper than the real thing and still tastes great in preparations that involve a lot of additional ingredients like crab rangoons, creamy dips, or even crab cakes.

Because imitation crab is seafood, you have to be careful about how you store it. The CDC confirms that food poisoning from improperly cooked or stored seafood is particularly risky because there are so many types of bacteria and diseases that can develop when it goes bad. Luckily, the correct way to store imitation crab is effortless — just keep it frozen until the day before you plan to prepare it, then thaw it in the fridge. Surimi will keep for up to six months frozen. Once prepared, it can be held in an airtight container in your refrigerator for no more than five days.

Cooking seafood straight from frozen never yields the best results, and it is always better to thaw it first. The same rule applies to imitation crab — you can safely prepare it straight from the freezer, but the texture and delicate, sweet flavor will suffer. Leaving it in your fridge overnight will get the job done. For the best results, leave the crab in its packaging until you're ready to use it. Keep in mind that the FDA recommends your freezer be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and your fridge should be set no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temps are associated with ideal breeding conditions for nasty pathogens.

If you're wondering whether your surimi has gone off, the good news is that your nose knows the truth, and so do your hands. Bad surimi will have an unpleasant, fishy odor and feel slimy to the touch. It will also taste sour, although, hopefully, you don't get to the point of actually consuming it.