John Myers
Once the mussels are clean, you’re ready to pack them for freezing. Use a resealable, heavy-duty plastic bag to store the shellfish for freezing. Just place the shellfish inside, squeeze out as much air as you could then write the storage date. Stick in the freezer and you’re done.
How do you prepare mussels to freeze?
Here are your steps to freezing fresh muscles:
- Place live mussels in shells into heavy-duty freezer bags.
- If you find any opened shells, you should tap them to see if they close.
- Leave some headspace in the bag and then release as much air as possible.
- Seal the bag tightly.
- Label and date the packaging.
- Store mussels in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can you freeze mussels without cooking them?
Mussels, either raw or cooked, freeze extremely well. The main thing to remember about freezing mussels is that you should only freeze those that are still alive, and any mussels that are ‘dead’ after being cooked (their shells are closed or cracked) should be discarded.
How long can you keep mussels in the freezer?
How long do raw mussels last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – mussels that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
How do you preserve fresh mussels?
Cover them with a damp cloth or towel. Keep them in the fridge between 1°C and 4°C. Don’t store mussels in water or a sealed container – they will die. You can store them in ice in the fridge, but you must have a way for the melted ice to drain so the mussels don’t submerge.
Do mussels freeze well?
When kept in the fridge, fresh mussels will keep for 2 to 3 days. But when kept in the freezer, frozen fresh mussels could keep for 4 months or so. We recommend consuming the mussels quickly for optimal flavor.
How long can I keep mussels in the fridge?
Cover the mussels with a clean damp cloth or paper towel, it’s important not to store the shellfish in water. Place into the fridge and store for up to 2 – 5 days (I actually recommend to consume within 2 for best taste, however!) Check on the Mussels daily and drain any build up of water.
Can you cook mussels from frozen?
If your frozen mussels are still in the shell, you can steam them in a pot filled with one inch of water, wine or broth for five to seven minutes or until the mussel shells have opened. You can also saute them in oil or butter over high heat. Discard any mussels that haven’t opened.
How do you cook frozen mussels in the shell?
Bring to a boil, then dump in the mussels and cover. Reduce heat to moderate and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mussels open wide. This will take 3 to 6 minutes, but check frequently after 3 minutes.
