Have you ever wondered, "Can I freeze smoked salmon?" I wondered about this too. I enjoy smoked salmon, but I do not want to eat the entire fish in one sitting.
Smoked salmon is a dish I enjoy every once in a while. I also sometimes get a smoked salmon when I host a special event, such as a New Year's Eve party with friends and family. Only eating a little and throwing the rest away seemed wasteful to me, so I decided to look into it and share what I found with you.
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Types Of Fish That Can Be Frozen
Yes, you can freeze smoked salmon! You can also freeze other types of smoked fish. It does not matter if you have a whole smoked salmon or just smoked fillets.
Smoking the salmon is a simple and delicious way of cooking it. This process helps to kill any bacteria, viruses or parasites that could be lurking in the fish. Frozen smoked salmon will last for about 3 months in a refrigerator freezer or about 6 months in a chest freezer.
The most important thing to remember when freezing smoked salmon is that air is the enemy. As noted by Salt Chef, air can cause oxidation, which could lead to spoilage, freezer burn and loss of flavor. You will need to make sure that there is no air around your piece of smoked salmon when you put it into the freezer.
Preparing Smoked Salmon For The Freezer
Cut Into Pieces Or Leave The Fish Whole
When freezing smoked salmon, you can either leave the fish whole or you can cut it into pieces. I found it easier to cut it into small pieces that match the serving size I would typically eat within one to two days. Smaller pieces are also easier to wrap and store in the freezer.
After unwrapping your smoked salmon from its store packaging, cut it into pieces that are about the right amount to eat within 24 to 48 hours. You will not be able to freeze it again once it is thawed, so smaller portions are better than large hunks of the smoked fish.
Wrap The Salmon
According to this website, the smoked salmon may lose some of its texture and flavor if it is not prepared and wrapped properly for freezing.
To start preparing the smoked salmon for the freezer, use a sauce brush and lightly brush both sides of the fish with olive oil. This helps to seal in the flavor and protects the salmon from freezer burn. The video below explains that the biggest risk to freezing smoked salmon is freezer burn.
There are several methods that you can use to wrap smoked salmon that will help you to avoid the problem of freezer burn. One method is to wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap. Take the time to fold in and secure all of the edges so that there is no air between the wrap and the salmon.
Next, use freezer wrap like this to wrap around the salmon. The freezer paper provides an additional layer of protection against freezer burn. Make sure each side of the smoked salmon has at least 2 layers of plastic wrap and 2 layers of the freezer paper.
If you would like to save yourself a step, consider investing in a vacuum sealer such as this one. With a vacuum sealer, you do not have to use both plastic wrap and freezer paper.
Via Amazon.com
The vacuum sealer uses a special type of plastic wrap that is heat activated and forms a seal around the food. The sealer squeezes air out of the package before it is sealed shut. Using a vacuum sealer also helps to keep your hands clean.
To avoid leaving a fishy smell in the vacuum sealer after wrapping up several packages of smoked salmon, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to clean and sanitize it.
Storage Containers And Labels
Via moneycrashers.com
Containers such as bowls or boxes are not recommended for use on smoked salmon. This is because these containers allow too much air to circulate around the fish. The air could lead to freezer burn.
Stick with the plastic wraps and freezer papers. It is also important to label your packages of frozen salmon before putting them into the freezer. You can use labels like these, noting the contents of each package as well as the date of freezing.
Peel the label off of the adhesive backing and attach one to each package of smoked salmon that you plan to put into the freezer. Make sure to use up the frozen salmon within 6 months of freezing it.
Thawing And Enjoying Smoked Salmon
Your smoked salmon will be good to eat for up to 6 months of storage in a chest freezer that has been maintained at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you are ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor, remove one of the wrapped packages of smoked salmon. Allow the salmon to thaw in the refrigerator.
Depending on the size of the pieces that you wrapped, the thawing process could take up to 24 hours. It is important to keep the smoked salmon cold as it thaws, and you should never use hot water or leave the smoked salmon on the countertop to thaw. Doing so could cause germs to start growing in the salmon.
Once the smoked salmon is fully thawed, you can eat it. You do not have to cook it or do any other special food preparations.
Give It a Try!
Freezing smoked salmon allows you to continue enjoying one of your favorite foods while saving money. Preparing the salmon for freezing is easy, especially if you choose to use convenient tools such as vacuum sealer.
How To Freeze Smoked Salmon Round Up
- Brush smoked salmon with olive oil.
- Wrap smoked salmon in two layers of plastic wrap and freezer paper.
- Label the packages with the contents and date. Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw frozen smoked salmon in the refrigerator and enjoy!
If you want to cook smoked salmon, I recommend you try this recipe from BusyWifeBusyLife - Thanks Sherita for this tasty recipe!
If you have any questions about freezing smoked salmon, please leave them in the comments box below. If you find this helpful, feel free to share it on your social media.
Sources:
- http://www.geeksonfood.com/how_2288748_freeze-smoked-salmon.html
