How Long Will Mussels Keep in the Fridge After Being Cooked?
Once cooked, mussels can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. After cooking the mussels, it is important to place them in an air-tight container and refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. If the mussels cannot be consumed within four days, they can be frozen for up to three months. While foods frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit remain safe indefinitely, this time frame ensures that quality remains intact.
Mussels are cooked by steaming, broiling, baking or grilling. It is important that they are stored cold in the refrigerator before cooking them. Live mussels are best stored wrapped in wet paper towels and refrigerated for up to one week. Shucked mussels can also be kept refrigerated for about one week when immersed in their liquids and stored in a tightly covered container. Raw, shucked mussels can be frozen as well, in their liquids, for up to two months.
Before cooking mussels, always wash the shells well and, if desired, remove the fibrous, dark beard protruding from the shell. It is important to cook mussels to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, while not extending cooking time too much, as this can create hardened, tough mussels. Live mussels can be steamed or grilled until their shells open, and shucked mussels are best baked.
