You had plenty of salmon before freezing it and right after thawing it, you realize that you still have some salmon leftovers. Been there, done that.
The next logical step is to ask yourself and then google whether you can refreeze salmon. Congrats, that’s how you ended up here reading this article and I’m glad that you did.
I’ll be as direct as possible when it comes to answering all your questions. Let the games begin!
Can you refreeze salmon?
– YES, you can!
Is It Safe To Refreeze Salmon After Thawing?
Yes, it’s safe to refreeze salmon after thawing if the food has been handled properly. Worry not, this isn’t something I’ve just made up but it’s confirmed by the USDA:
“If raw or cooked food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking or heating, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing.”
There’s also one thing that you SHOULDN’T do. According to the USDA, you shouldn’t refreeze any food left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours. Of course, you shouldn’t refreeze undercooked salmon or spoiled salmon, which brings us to the next important point.
How will you know that the salmon is spoiled?
First things first, check the expiration date. Then, do a quick observation test according to the following guidelines. If your salmon has appearance, smell, and texture as described below, then you shouldn’t refreeze it but toss it:
• Appearance: Dull, gray, dark spots, discoloration, mold
• Smell: Strong fishy smell, sour, ammonia-like smell
• Texture: Slimy, sticky.
How To Refreeze Salmon After Thawing
Okay, now that you’re sure your salmon isn’t spoiled, it’s time to refreeze it properly without compromising its quality. Here’s how you’ll do it:
Step 1: Put the salmon in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and remove as much air as possible.
Step 2: Write the refreezing date on the label of the freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Step 3: You should consume the refrozen salmon within 3 to 4 months.
The “Side Effects” Of Refreezing Salmon
Even though it’s safe to refreeze salmon that has been handled properly, there’s one disadvantage to doing so.
By refreezing salmon, you compromise its quality in terms of the taste of salmon, its flavor, and its appearance. That being said, here are the effects of refreezing salmon you should know about:
Key Points
Can you refreeze salmon?
– Yes, you can refreeze salmon that isn’t spoiled and hasn’t been left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours.
How long should you keep refrozen salmon in the freezer?
– Refrozen salmon should be consumed within 3 to 4 months.
What are the effects of frozen salmon that can impact its quality?
– Slightly mushy texture, loss of freshness, duller color, and minimal impact on protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
P.S. I hope my direct answers have helped you figure out what to do with your salmon leftovers. Cheers!
See also: Can You Freeze Oysters? 4 Key Steps To Do It Properly
