If we talk about the best innovations in the cookery world, then we have to say frozen fish. In ancient times, when people bought fish, they could never tell whether the fish they were buying were really fresh! Fortunately, times have changed and new techniques have developed, so today fish can be preserved when they are freshest. Nowadays, when most of the seafoods are caught, they are flash frozen, and this helps to preserve the fish at its peak freshness and keeps it that way until it reaches your kitchen! Also, they are properly packed in vacuum-sealed bags for the best results. The only thing that you have to keep in mind before cooking is that you have to defrost it.
So, if you have some frozen mackerel fish or other fish in your freezer and are not sure how to proceed with the defrosting method, then here’s a blog for you on this topic.
Now, what’s the ideal method to defrost a fish? Learn the right techniques here.
Is It Safe to Defrost a Fish?
When defrosting a fish, most people’s main concern is safety. This is a genuine concern, and we acknowledge that. Generally, what you all are concerned about is how during the defrosting process you can ensure that the bacteria do not grow on it, and lead to food poisoning. You would be happy to hear that the most efficient way of defrosting fish is also the safest way to do it.
It is important to point out that we are considering that the fish you have stored in your freezer is frozen it commercially, and vacuum sealed. The frozen fish can consist of an individual portion, like fillets or steaks, or even a whole fish like trout or tilapia.
Now, there are two ways in which frozen fish can be thawed. The method you will use will depend on the time you have at your disposal.
Defrosting Fish in the Refrigerator
The safest method to defrost your frozen mackerel fish or other fish is to defrost it in your refrigerator. What you need to do is from the freezer you have to transfer it to the refrigerator before you go to sleep and let it stay overnight. You will find the next day that the frozen fish has completely defrosted and is ready to be cooked. In case your fish is properly packed in a vacuum sealed bag, then you don’t have to worry about leaking. You can transfer it to a tray or a plate. When you are ready to cook the fish, just cut the plastic, wash the just defrosted fish, and then with the help of a paper towel, dry it, and you will be all set to cook it.
For some reason, if your frozen fish is not sealed, make sure you do it yourself. So, just put the frozen fish in the resealable bag and seal it to ensure that when you defrost it in the refrigerator, it does not leak.
The reason that this method is considered the safest way to defrost your fish is that it ensures that the fish is never sufficiently warm for food-borne bacteria to grow on it and infest the fish. The main drawback of this method is that you have to remember that you have to defrost the fish in your refrigerator the night before. If your frozen fish pieces are thin and you forgot to defrost them the night before, doing it in the morning can also work if you plan to cook the fish later at night for your dinner.
Defrosting a Fish in the Cold Water
Now, what to do if you forgot to defrost your frozen salmon fish or any other fish the night before? Many have this question: “Is there any method to defrost fish faster than the refrigerator method?” The answer to this is yes! The next most preferred method to defrost fish is to do it under the cold water. Like the last method, we are also assuming in this method that the frozen fish you have is sealed and moisture-proof, and if not, then make sure you do it yourself. Then, transfer the fish on a plate and place the container inside the sink, pour water in it. Keep the water running for some time. Also, ensure that the water is not warm (hot water is not recommended at all) and is cold.
Since the fish stays completely submerged in the cold water, you will see that it will defrost the fish sooner than the cold temperature in the fridge. Even a small amount of water would cause a little convection effect and speed up the defrosting process. So, when you follow this method, know that it might take a maximum of 30 minutes to defrost. After the defrosting is done, make sure to cut open the package, wash the fish properly, and then with a paper towel dry it.
Conclusion
So, these are the two best ways to defrost a frozen mackerel, salmon, or other fish. However, it is important to note that the more fat the fish has, the more time it will take to get defrosted, whether you use the first or the second method. Now, while in this blog we have just shown the two best methods to defrost a fish, you may have other questions in your mind, which will be covered in the next blogs. However, one important point that you must never forget is that you must always purchase frozen fish from a top-notch platform that is well-known for delivering the best quality frozen fish. So, if you are based in Brazil and looking for the best platform there, then you can get in touch with Brazil Chicken S.I.F. To reach out, dial 011 4948-3670, or drop a mail at sales@brazilchickensif.com.
