How long do stone crab claws last?

Stone crabs are a species that lives and dwells in the ocean. They crawl along the shallow areas of the ocean floor in search of food. Crabs are caught for commercial purposes as they are well-renowned for their delicacy. Once Stone Crab Claws are harvested, they should be cooked immediately or frozen.

Freeze only Stone Crabs Claws that are intact with no shell cracks. The unbroken shell can protect the meat for up to six months in a freezer. Thaw the frozen Stone Crab Claws in the fridge and allow them one to one and a half days to thaw completely. Beware that the meat quality can be compromised if you thaw the claws at room temperature or under running water. 

To cook the freshly harvested claws, boil water then add the stone crab claws. Allow the water to re-boil after adding the claws, then cook for six minutes. The claws are ready for consumption when warm, although most people like them cold. If you prefer eating them cold, remove them from the pot and keep them on ice for about 45 minutes.  

Florida laws forbid capturing the entire animal. One is only allowed to harvest claws without harming the crab. After harvesting the claws, fishermen are advised to return the crab safely into the water. The species can regenerate claws up to four times in their lifetime. 

How long do stone crabs stay fresh?  

Are you wondering, how long do stone crabs keep their freshness? Although it is best to eat stone crab claws immediately after harvesting, they can stay fresh for up to 48 hours if uncracked. Cracked claw leftovers may be put in an open container and stored in the coolest part of your home fridge. Instead of cracking all the stone crab claws at once, it is best to crack them in bits to allow them a longer shelf-life. To answer the question of how long stone crab claws keep fresh, consider whether the claws are intact or cracked. George Stone Crab offers crabs in four sizes; large size, medium, jumbo, and colossal. Choose a size that best meets your needs to enjoy the delicacy while still fresh. 

How long are stone crab claws good for?  

In order to know how long stone crab claws are good for consumption, store them in the coolest part of the refrigerator and consume them in one or two days after harvesting for the best experience, quality, and taste. Orders from the George Stone Crab are delivered ready for consumption. In case of leftover stone crab claws, put them in an uncapped container and place them in the refrigerator’s coldest part. Alternatively, you can place them in a cooler packed with ice but be keen to drain the water frequently. 

How long can you keep stone crab claws in the refrigerator?  

Fresh stone crab claws can last in the refrigerator for three to five days. Surround the meat with ice. Steamed claws may last between five to seven days in the refrigerator. If the stone crab claws are already cooked, store them at 32-28 degrees in the refrigerator or pack them in ice to last for two to three days. You can keep your cooked claws fresh by wrapping them in aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss or freezer burns. How long stone crab claws are good for depends on the conditions they are stored in. 

Freeze intact and uncracked crab claws at zero degrees or below. Frozen uncracked claws can last up to six months if you store them at the recommended temperatures. It takes about 12-18 hours to thaw frozen claws in a refrigerator. Remember that there is a possibility for quality loss if you attempt to thaw the claws at room temperature or under running water. If the claws are stored under the right conditions, they can retain their texture and flavor. 

How to store stone crab claws?  

After shipment, unpack all stone crab claws and keep them in the refrigerator, uncracked. It is also possible to store them in the refrigerator and place on them a container packed with ice. 

George Stone Crab recommends the techniques and factors to consider capturing the best, high-quality, and most delicious stone crabs in Florida. Some of the recommended steps to ensure you get perfect stone crab claws include: 

• Search for large and heavy stone crabs with thick and hard shells to protect the inner meat. The crab should also have nice-looking claws. 
• Consider the claw-to-body ratio. The large and meaty claws should be directly proportional to the crab's body. 
• Select the stone crabs that have bright vibrant colors. The dull-colored ones may be old or sick and could have adverse effects when eaten. 
• Avoid catching a crab if it has broken or missing claws. Since Stone crab meat comes from the claws, choosing the one with missing or broken claws means there will be less meat to enjoy. 
• Be sure to use sustainable catching and storing methods that do not harm the crab after harvesting the claws. How claws are harvested determines their quality and condition by the time they are delivered to the consumer. 

To prepare stone crab claws, first ensure they are fully thawed in the refrigerator. Crack open the claws to remove meat from the shells. You can enjoy the claw on its own or dip it in sauce. However, do not overpower the claws’ unique flavor with sauces and heavy seasonings. You can enjoy the claws as part of a seafood party or as an appetizer. 

Where to buy stone crab claws? 

We believe that the best stone crab claws are never frozen, that's why we have a dedicated team of more than 80 fishermen bringing in the freshest stone crabs for you.

Packed and delivered in less than 36 hours of being caught and cooked to get them to you overnight all around the US and Canada. Order now your fresh stone crab claws with us while they’re still in season: Start here.