We generally tell customers oysters stay fresh up to 14 days, but our results showed the period of freshness may actually be longer. We like to err on the side of caution, so 14 days from harvest is probably a good rule of thumb to follow.
Once opened, oysters will keep for up to 7 days in the fridge, but be aware: they will absorb any strong flavours (for example rock melon and onion tend to taint the flavour, no matter how well packed your oysters are). When buying live oysters, make sure the shells are firmly closed.
When properly cared for live oysters will live in your refrigerator for 10 to 21 days. Are they alive? When oysters are dead in their shells they are no longer suitable to eat. To see if your oysters are alive, the shell should be closed or close when tapped lightly.
Shelf Life
Shucked oysters will have a good-through date. If they go past this date, you'll want to discard them. Shucked oysters typically have a 10-14 day refrigerated shelf life upon receipt.
If there are large cracks or broken or damaged areas, throw the oyster away. There should be no gaps within the shell. If the shell is also open, the oyster is bad. Oyster shells are glossy white in color with pink and gray streaks, if yours looks greenish or brown, you should discard the oyster.
Cover the oysters with a damp paper towel or damp cloth and place them in the fridge. They should keep for up to seven days like this, but it's best to eat them within a day or two.
We generally tell customers oysters stay fresh up to 14 days, but our results showed the period of freshness may actually be longer. We like to err on the side of caution, so 14 days from harvest is probably a good rule of thumb to follow.
The best way to store them is in their bag, inside a bowl with a damp cloth over the top. But please: Do not store the oysters directly on or underneath ice. Oysters will die if they sit in fresh water. You can keep them on a tray of ice for an hour or so but avoid letting them sit in a puddle of fresh water.
If properly cared for oysters can live out of the water in their shell for around 4 - 5 days.
When you bring raw oysters home, store them in their shell, large shell-side down, in the refrigerator (no lower than 33 F) for up to five days (although the flavor is best when they are consumed within 24 hours of purchase). They should be packed in either a mesh bag or in an open container covered with a damp cloth.
Kept at a proper temperature and prevented from drying out, an oyster can live in your fridge for up to a month, or even a little longerHowever, understand that the longer your oysters are out of the water, the more likely you are to lose a few. Always check to make sure the oysters are closed before you eat them.
Oysters may be eaten safely during any time of the year. However, oysters are highly perishable and can spoil quickly in the hot summer months if they are not properly refrigerated.
Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters in months with the letter “r” – from September to April – to avoid watery shellfish, or worse, a nasty bout of food poisoning.
Clams, mussels and oysters in the shell are alive and the shells close tightly when tapped and live crabs, lobsters and crayfish will move their legs. Shucked oysters are plump and have a mild odor, a natural creamy color and clear liquid or nectar. Do not cook or eat shellfish that have died during storage.
Oysters that are still in the shells should only be frozen live. A live oyster will keep its shell tightly closed or will close it when tapped. If you have plenty of freezer space and want to freeze the oysters in the shells, simply wash the shells thoroughly and place in moisture-vapor resistant bags.
To maintain their freshness, wrap the Oysters in a damp tea towel or cloth and place in the fridge, closest to the freezer. Whatever you do, do not store Oysters in a sealed container; or on ice; or in water; or in the freezer.
It's vital to clean your oysters well before shucking. Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove sand, dirt, and debris. You can also put your oysters into a cold icy saltwater bath to soak for an hour in order to purge them of sand and grit.
Once people have polished off the first round of oysters, dump out the semi-melted crushed ice in the serving bowl, and replenish with the extra crushed ice you processed earlier. Transfer the second round of shucked oysters from the sheet tray to the bowl of crushed ice. Rinse and repeat until you're out of oysters.
Typically, a jar will last for about a week after opening if properly refrigerated. Just like milk, you can “smell test” a jar to see if the oysters are still good.
They freeze beautifully. You can freeze the oysters directly in the jar or bag they arrived in or you can transfer them to a ziplock freezer bag. Try to use within 3 months. Some of our favorite recipes for shucked oysters include fried, oyster casserole, or in an oyster roll.
In the case of oysters, this little mollusk contains so much zinc that it should only be eaten occasionally. Eating them once or twice a week should land you in a nutritional sweet spot. Make sure you balance your zinc intake with enough copper — especially if you really enjoy oysters!
Fridge Is Fine
You can also store your oysters in the refrigerator in a closed container or sealed plastic bag. Oysters don't breathe once they are taken out of the water. They will keep fresh like this for 1-2 weeks after harvest.
How Many Oysters Can You Eat In One Sitting? What is this? Oysters are an irresistible dish on your table. Still, based on our research, only six oysters per person is the ideal human consumption for the main course, and if served as an appetizer, three to four oysters per person are enough to consume.
Put the mesh bag with oysters in a plastic bag. Close the plastic bag airtight*. Store the plastic bag with the oysters in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy the oysters. *Oysters hibernate while in the fridge, so they don't breath.