We’ve all been in that situation where you just have too much leftover food. Maybe you had a big dinner and overbudgeted how much food you would need, or maybe you were a guest and the host stuck you with some of the leftovers. Whatever the reason, you may be looking at that leftover lobster and wondering this: is it good or bad to eat? Here we provide you with the answers:
How long does lobster meat last?
The answer to this question depends on whether or not your lobster meat is cooked. Uncooked lobster meat lasts only a few hours—this is why most lobsters are boiled alive at restaurants.
Cooked lobster meat, meanwhile, can last three to four days in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.
Signs your lobster has gone bad
If it’s been past the four-day mark (or the four-month mark for frozen lobster), you may be wondering if that lobster is still good to eat. Thankfully, bad lobster meat is pretty easy to pick out. There are a few tell-tale signs that will give you a clue as to whether or not you should heat it up again in the oven:
- Pungent odor: Open your bag or box of lobster and take a good sniff—do you automatically pull back? Lobster should never smell bad, so if you’re scrunching your nose up after a quick sniff, you’re better off tossing the meat than eating it.
- Soft, cottage cheese-like consistency: If your lobster meat smells OK, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good to eat. Take it out of the bag and see how it feels. Does it still feel tough and solid, like it did when you first cooked it? Or does it feel soft, almost like cottage cheese? If it’s the latter, then your lobster has gone bad.
- Slimy meat: Does your lobster meat feel slimy to the touch? Do you find yourself reaching for the napkins immediately after handling it? Then chances are you have spoiled lobster meat on your hands.
- Discolored meat: Take a good look at your lobster. If your meat is discolored, even turning green or white in places, then it’s definitely gone bad.
- You’re just not sure: Maybe you’ve performed the above tests and came up with inconclusive results. It happens. In this scenario, it’s best to throw it away rather than risk potential food poisoning.
To learn more about safely eating and storing your lobster, contact Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. today!
