How Long Do Thawed Scallops Last in the Fridge? Definitive Guide

Scallops are shellfish that have been very popular in many countries. These fish are found in saltwater environments, and the adductor muscles inside their shells are edible, serving as a main seafood meal. However, scallops are frozen in refrigerators to keep them long before cooking. In this article, let’s see how long thawed scallops last in the fridge.

Factors That Affect the Shelf Life of Thawed Scallops

Because of the unique taste of the scallops, now it has become a main choice for seafood lovers. Yet keeping the freshness and the safeness of this fish is somewhat difficult. Therefore, knowing what affects the shelf life of thawed scallops is important to serve them deliciously.

The first thing you must be concerned with is how scallops are stored. By storing scallops in the right way, you will be able to enjoy them fully with its tenders texture and the kind of sweet taste.

Fresh scallops should be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer if you want to keep them for 3 months. The dangerous bacteria in collapse will cause a failure to store them correctly.

However, before cooking, the frozen scallops should be thawed. It will take several hours or overnight, so do not thaw at room temperature.

This affects the shelf life of the fish, and direct sunlight might kill the life. Therefore, store the scallops right after you buy them.

How Long Do Thawed Scallops Last in the Fridge?

This is the most frequently asked question regarding the lifespan of the thawed scallops. Usually, after complete thawing, sea scallops that are not cooked should be refrigerated between 33 and 39°F and consumed within 2-3 days.

If not, the fresh scallops should not be refrigerated for more than two days. In general, the scallops should be cooked within one day.

If you wish to keep them for a long period, the ideal way is to freeze them, which can last up to 3 months.

In addition, the thawed scallops, which are defrosted in the fridge, can keep an additional 1 to 2 days before cooking.

The most suitable way to keep scallops healthier and tastier is to overwrapping the original packaging with aluminum foil and storing them in a freezer. This will maintain the quality and will be safe beyond the time.

Proper Storage Techniques for Thawed Scallops

Proper storage techniques often matter when it comes to cooking thawed scallops. As earlier explained, storing the fish is the most important technique.

Thawed scallops should not be stored in water or any container subjected to room temperature. Becasue the sunlight destroys the vital nutrients and the water absorbs unhealthy chemicals and bacterias.

Here are some extra tips to increase the quality of your thawed scallops. To do so,1st bring some freezer bags or moisture-resistant wrappers.

Then seal the scallops using a vacuum sealer. This technique will protect the newness of the fish without letting them into the air. For the best results, double wrap and store in the freezer.

Label them, including the date you bought the scallops and the day you sealed them. Mentioning the dates will be beneficial when you are ready to cook. Lastly, Set the freezer to 0 degrees F or below.

However, if you have already shucked the scallops, here are some tips for storing them properly. Like thawed scallops, store the shucked fish in your fridge at 32 to 40 degrees.

Unlike the fish already in the shell, the shucked scallops have a high risk of being spoiled. Therefore, cover them with a damp cloth to increase the shelf life.

Signs That Thawed Scallops Have Gone Bad

The easiest way to check whether your thawed scallops have gone bad is by checking the smell and the look. Many raw food materials stink after being spoiled, and the scallops also emit a sour smell. Also, you can observe the color of the scallops and decide whether it is still good or bad.

Scallops are originally cream or off-white. If you notice any dullness or greyness in the scallops, that is a sign of bad scallops.

Additionally, checking the texture will be an extra advantage if you can not decide only by checking the smell and look of the scallops.

The slimy texture is the perfect sign to identify the condition of the scallops. If you feel any slipper or greasy texture on fish, your scallops must not be able to cook or eat.

Risks of Consuming Spoiled Thawed Scallops

As mentioned above, there is a high risk of consuming spoiled thawed scallops mainly becasue they absorb harmful chemicals from water and contain bacterias that affect humans as both long-term and short-term diseases.

Food poisoning is the major drawback of having spoiled thawed scallops. The symptoms follow vomiting, fever, stomach pain, cramps, etc.

However, the symptoms usually develop within 2-3 hours after eating, and the most common signs, like headache, itching, and rashes, could occur rapidly.

According to the seafood poisoning summary, there is a 0.01% to 12% chance of causing death after consuming spoiled thawed scallops.

Diarrheic shellfish poisoning(DSP) is another risk that can be obtained by eating spoiled thawed scallops.

This usually happens when consuming toxic bivalve mollusks such as mussels and scallops. Similar to seafood poisoning, the symptoms such as vomiting and cramps can be developed under 30 minutes after eating.

Alternatives to Thawed Scallops

Many of us wonder whether there are real alternatives to thawed scallops. Luckily yes! The most recent alternative recipe for scallops is the King Oyster Mushrooms.

This is also called the fake scallops. The other reason this food is more famous is that this is 100% vegan.

The king oyster mushrooms are similar to thawed scallops with a visually thick texture.

Apart from vegan alternatives, scallops usually taste like their cousins. Clams and Oysters. They also have the sweetness of a real thawed scallop. Also, an oyster’s tender, buttery texture is much similar to the taste of scallops. If not, you can try other shellfish such as Crab, Shrimp, Lobster, etc.

Watch this one,

Video Credits – KnowSeafood

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