How long do shucked clams, mussels, and oysters last?
Shucked clams, mussels, and oysters keep for 3 to 10 days in the fridge, up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.
No guideline
3 to 10 days
from the package date
3 to 4 months
best quality within
How to tell shucked clams, mussels, and oysters have gone bad
General signs for seafood: shellfish, the group USDA lists shucked clams, mussels, and oysters under.
- Shells that stay open and will not close when tapped
- Cracked or broken shells on live shellfish
- Strong ammonia or sour smell instead of a fresh sea smell
- Shrimp with a slimy texture or spreading black spots
- Live shellfish that float in water instead of sinking
More on seafood: shellfish. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store live shellfish in a breathable container, like a bowl covered with a damp cloth, never sealed in plastic or submerged in water. Keep them cold, near 32 to 40 F (0 to 4 C), and cook the same day if possible. Refrigerate cooked shellfish and shrimp promptly and use within a couple of days.
More in seafood: shellfish
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.