Store Fresh Oysters
People who love fresh seafood can catch their own oysters, or buy them live from fish markets or seaside fish stands. Raw oysters, like any fresh shellfish, are best consumed immediately. However, it is possible to store them for a few hours or even overnight if they are going to be used for a menu in the next couple of days. This can be done safely while preserving the taste and freshness as long as they are kept very cold. Store fresh oysters on in a refrigerator in order to keep them tasting delicious, or shuck them and freeze them for use at a later date.
Contents
Steps
Storing Fresh Oysters on the Shell
- Stack the oysters on a clean, dry plate or baking tray. Lay them on their shells, so the fish is pointing up and not facing the plate.
- Soak a clean, light kitchen towel in cold water and ring it out. The towel should be completely saturated with water, but not dripping or leaking.
- Place the wet towel gently on top of the oysters, covering the plate or the tray completely.
- Keep the towel wet. Continue to check it, and if it begins to dry out, soak it again and place it back on top of the oysters.
- Place the tray in the refrigerator, on the shelf that is closest to the freezer. Freezing the oysters will kill them, but it is important to keep them very cold. Do not place them under any raw meats that may leak onto the oysters. They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
- Shuck the oysters when you are ready to use them. Run them under cold water and remove them from their shells by scrubbing them with a stiff brush.
Storing Fresh Oysters That are Shucked
- Lay shucked oysters on a plate and cover them with a wet paper towel. They can be kept in the fridge, on the shelf closest to the freezer, for 7 to 10 days.
- Freeze shucked oysters by covering them completely with water or liquor. Use a container or plastic wrap so they doesn't infuse with other smells in the freezer. Place them in the freezer for 3 to 6 months, but use them as soon as possible. When it is time to thaw them, do so in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Finished.
Tips
- Keep refrigerator temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1.67 to 4.4 degrees Celsius).
- Leave the grit and dirt on the oysters when storing them in their shells. This will keep them moist and will help to insulate the fish.
Warnings
- Do not store live oysters in airtight containers or plastic bags. They will die from a lack of oxygen.
- Do not store live oysters on ice because the melting fresh water could kill them.
Things You'll Need
- Large plate or tray
- Clean wet towel
- Refrigerator
- Stiff brush
- Paper towels
Related Articles
- Shuck Oysters
- Buy Oysters
