Food

Handling Leftover Crawfish

Crawfish, just like any other type of sea food is highly perishable. Therefore, you need to store it the right way in order to extend its shelf life. The article below focuses on how you can handle leftover crawfish so that it retains its flavour and taste for a long period of time.

How to handle leftover crawfish when storing it

Store leftover crawfish in the fridge

The first way of handling leftover crawfish is by storing it in the fridge. This will help to extend its shelf life while also preserving its taste. In order to store leftover crawfish in the fridge you need to start by letting it cool down before packaging it. The next thing is to place the leftover crawfish in an air tight container then place it inside the fridge. Leftover crawfish that is stored in the fridge can last for 3 to 4 days. Therefore, you need to use it within that time frame to avoid disappointment.

Store leftover crawfish in the freezer

The second way of handling leftover crawfish is by storing it in the freezer. You can either store cooked crawfish as a whole or you can peel it if you have time. When handling cooked crawfish that you intend on freezing you have to start by letting it cool off. Take a freezer bag and place the leftover crawfish inside, make sure you leave about an inch of headspace. Before sealing the bag you should take out as much air as possible. This will help to reduce freezer burn. Leftover crawfish that is stored in the freezer can last for approximately 3 months.

How to defrost leftover crawfish

You have to handle leftover crawfish very well especially when you are defrosting it. This is because if you use the wrong handling method for defrosting you can compromise the flavour and texture of the crawfish. To defrost leftover crawfish simply transfer it from the freezer into the fridge and let it thaw overnight. If you are looking for a faster method then you can always place the packaging of the leftover crawfish in water and let it defrost for 30 minutes. Avoid using hot water as it cooks the crawfish which then causes it lose its flavour.

How to handle leftover crawfish when reheating it

Reheat leftover crawfish by steaming it

This is actually one of the best methods for reheating leftover crawfish. This is because it revives the succulent flavours of the crawfish. When using this method you will need a large pot and a steamer basket. Start by placing spice blends in the pot, you can add spices like crawfish crab or any homemade spices that you think will add flavour to your leftover crawfish. Move on to add water but, make sure it does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the mixture to a boil and once it has boiled add the leftover crawfish. Cover the pot with a lid and let the leftover crawfish reheat for about 4 to 6 minutes. Once you are certain that it’s done, take it out of the pot and check if it has reheated completely. If not you should place it back and reheat for an additional 30 or 45 seconds.