Shelf life depends entirely on how recently the alligator was caught. Alligator meat is usually sold as frozen pieces or fillets. Meat should always be firm with a fresh aroma and no discoloration. You should safely store thawed alligator meat in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to two days. Alternatively, you can freeze tightly wrapped meat for up to six months. Before cooking, you should thaw any frozen alligator meat in the refrigerator overnight.