Like other shellfish varieties, fresh oysters should be consumed immediately. However, if you don't have the option to eat them right away, you can store them for a few days in the refrigerator or you can freeze them to make them last longer. The storage process may seem complicated at first, but you only need to go through one step at a time to find that it is actually quite simple.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Store Oysters in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Do not wash the oysters and do not remove them from the shell
They taste better if they are peeled just before eating. It is also easier to keep them whole and less likely to spoil.
- If you bought them already shelled and they are closed in a plastic container, store them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.
- Do not remove the sand or other impurities: they will help protect the shellfish and keep it moist.
Step 2. Pour the ice into a small bowl or open container
Use a container that you can easily put in the refrigerator. Remove any lid and pour a layer of ice on the bottom.
- Oysters should not be kept in a closed container, otherwise they could suffocate.
- During the chilling process, you will need to replace the ice every time it melts. If you think you can't do this regularly, it's best to avoid using ice.
Step 3. Arrange the oysters on the ice bed
They have to stay cold to stay fresh as long as possible, just like in a fish shop. Position them so that the concave part of the shell faces down. This simple step will help them retain their juices.
Step 4. Dampen a kitchen towel with cold water and use it to cover the oysters
Use a thin, clean tea towel, dip it in cold water, and then wring it out to get rid of the excess. Place it on the oysters to prevent them from drying out without risking poisoning them with fresh water.
- If you prefer, you can use wet kitchen paper or newspaper instead of a tea towel.
- Oysters live in salt water, so fresh water is lethal to them. For this reason they should not be immersed directly in water.
Step 5. Put the container in the refrigerator
Oysters should be stored at a temperature between 2 and 4 ° C. Make sure there is no raw meat on the top shelf to prevent liquids from dripping into the container with the oysters.
You should check the oysters at least once a day while they are in the refrigerator. This is because, if the cloth dries, it is important to wet it again. Also, if the ice melts you have to throw the water away and add more
Step 6. You can keep the oysters in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days
To avoid any health risks, eat them within 48 hours of purchasing them. Sometimes oysters can last even longer, but as the hours go by, the health risks increase. To avoid food poisoning or other ailment, it is best to eat them within a couple of days.
- If there is an expiration date on the package, eat them within the stated limit.
- If you think you won't be able to eat them within 2 days, put them in the freezer.
Step 7. Open the oysters when you are ready to eat them
Rinse them under cold running water and then April. Once opened, slide the blade of the knife under the shellfish to gently detach it from the shell.
Before eating an oyster, inspect it to make sure it is still good. If the shell is damaged or the shellfish smells odd or appears cloudy and grayish, brown, black or pink, throw the oyster away
Method 2 of 2: Store Oysters in the Freezer
Step 1. Rinse the oysters and avoid shelling them
By keeping them inside the shell, the chances of them going bad decrease, and generally they remain tastier. Unlike when you store them in the refrigerator, before freezing them it is important to wash them under cold water to remove any bacteria present on the shell, which could cause them to go bad.
If there is not enough space in the freezer to store the oysters with their shells, you can open them before freezing them. In this case, keep their juices for later use
Step 2. Place the oysters in a freezer-safe container
To prevent them from spoiling, it is good to close them in a container to keep them away from moisture. If you intend to keep them whole, it is best to use a food bag. If, on the other hand, you have decided to open them and remove them from the shell, transfer them to a plastic container.
To protect them from cold burns, leave no more than 1-2 cm of empty space at the top of the container
Step 3. Add their liquids, if you removed them from their shells
If you have shelled the oysters, to keep them soft and moist, pour their juices into the plastic container in which you intend to store them in the freezer. Ideally they should remain completely submerged in their liquid.
If the juices aren't enough to submerge them, add a little water
Step 4. Seal the container
If you used a food bag, squeeze it to let the excess air out, then seal it before placing it in the freezer. Unlike when you store them for a short time in the refrigerator, in this case it is important to close the container to preserve the quality of the oysters until use.
- If you used an airtight container, make sure the lid is closed properly to protect the oysters from air and moisture.
- Mark the packaging date on the bag or container using a permanent marker or label.
Step 5. You can store oysters in the freezer for up to 3 months
If you have done all the steps correctly, the oysters will stay fresh even for 2-3 months. To make sure they're not going to apples, check them regularly and throw away any that have broken shells or have taken on a cloudy color and grayish, brown, black or pinkish hues.
Remember that oysters will gradually become less flavorful while remaining fresh for a long time
Step 6. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before eating
Carefully remove them from the freezer and transfer them to a large, free space in the refrigerator. Depending on the temperature, the defrosting process could take up to 20 hours.
- Leaving oysters to thaw in the refrigerator is one way to make them last longer. You won't have to eat them right away once thawed.
- If you prefer, you can speed up the process by soaking the oysters in cold water. In this case, however, you will have to eat them immediately as soon as they are defrosted, otherwise they will go bad.
