The best time to eat raw oysters is immediately.You can keep your oysters in the fridge or freezer for a while if you can't eat them right away.The storage process is fairly straightforward when you break it down.
Step 1: Don't shuck or wash your oysters.
Oysters are best eaten immediately after being shucked.The chance that oysters will go bad is reduced by keeping them in their shells.Store your oysters in the freezer until you are ready to use them.Leave the oysters clean.This will help to keep the meat moist.
Step 2: Ice can be put into a bowl or container.
You can place a bowl, small cooler, or similar container inside your fridge.Make sure the container has a lid.A layer of ice should be poured into the container.Oysters should not be kept in a sealed container.Doing so will kill them.If you won't be able to check your oysters regularly, do not pour any ice into the container.
Step 3: Place your oysters on top of the ice bed.
Similar to seafood merchants, you will be storing your oysters on ice to keep them fresh.The deeper side of your oysters should be turned so that they face down to help retain their juices.
Step 4: Place a towel on top of the oysters.
Ring out the excess liquid by dipping a clean kitchen towel in cold water.Place the towel on top of the oysters.It will prevent fresh water poisoning and keep the oysters from drying out.The oysters can be covered with damp paper towels or newspaper.Oysters are salt water creatures, so submerging them in fresh water will poison them and lead to their death.
Step 5: Put the container in the fridge.
It is possible to set your refrigerator to a temperature between 35 and 40 F.If you store your oysters above raw meat, the juices won't get onto them.If you can, check on your oysters at least once a day.If the towel is wet, put it back in.If the ice in your container is melting, replace it with new ice.
Step 6: You can keep your oysters in the fridge for up to 2 days.
If you want to be safe, remove and consume your oysters within 2 days.Eating oysters that late puts you at greater risk of food poisoning and other illnesses.If your oysters have an expired date, use that as a guide for maximum storage time.If you need to store oysters for more than 2 days, freeze them.
Step 7: Shuck.
You can open the oysters' shells once you finish storing them.Remove the shell from the oyster by running a knife under it.Use a knife to separate the oyster from the rest of the shell.If you want to eat an oyster, inspect it to make sure it's still good.If the shell appears to be damaged or if the meat is cloudy, throw the oyster away.
Step 8: Take the oysters out of the shells and rinse them off.
Oysters that are kept inside their shells will be less likely to go bad.Unlike refrigerating oysters, rinsing the shells under cold water is a better way to clean them off.You can shuck oysters if you don't have enough room in the freezer.Save the internal liquor for later use if you do so.
Step 9: Oysters can be placed in a freezer-safe container.
If you want to keep your oysters safe, place them inside a freezer-safe bag.You can use a plastic container for shucked oysters.Leave no more than a small amount of head space in the container to prevent freezer burns.
Step 10: If you are freezing shucked oysters, put oyster liquor in the container.
Pour the alcohol you removed during the shucking process into your freezer-safe container to help your oysters retain their juiciness.Continue pouring until you have submerged the oysters in the liquid.You can fill the container with water if you don't have enough liquor.
Step 11: The container should be sealed.
Press any excess air out of the bag using your fingers.seal your container before putting it in the freezer.It's better to close the container than it is to keep the oysters refrigerated.If you use a solid plastic container, make sure the lid is tight.The storage date should be written on the container.
Step 12: Oysters can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Fresh oysters should last between 2 and 3 months.If your oysters have cracked shells or cloudy meat that is a pink, black, brown, or grey color, look over them frequently and remove it.The taste of oysters will degrade gradually, even though they are safe to eat during this time.
Step 13: Take your oysters out of the fridge.
Take your oyster container out of the freezer and put it in the open part of your fridge.It can take up to 20 hours to thaw your appliances.Thawing your oysters gives them a slightly longer shelf life, meaning you don't have to use them immediately after they thaw.You can thaw your oysters by submerging them in cold water.They will go bad if you don't eat them immediately after they thaw.