When you’re making a meal for yourself or your family after a long day, you probably think about how easy it will be. Yes, you want to enjoy a healthy recipe that tastes great and is good for you. But slaving over a hot stove and going through a tricky meal prep process probably won’t be on your list of things to do.
If you belong to Costco, you know that their huge selection of frozen foods comes in handy times like these. There is a lot of tasty seafood on the warehouse retailers website’s cold and frozen food section, like breaded fish sticks, farm-raised shrimp, Chilean sea bass, and more. The store also has a good selection of frozen salmon, which is a great meal when you want something tasty and healthy. The flash-freezing method, which many stores use to keep seafood and other goods fresh, is what keeps these items fresh.
As a Costco fan, I love stocking up on their fresh wild salmon fillets whenever they go on sale The quality is excellent, and the price just can’t be beat But with a family of 4, I often end up buying more salmon than I can use before it goes bad. Which led me to wonder – can I freeze the fresh salmon from Costco to save it for later?
Yes, definitely! Freezing fresh salmon is a great way to keep it fresh and make it last longer. And Costco’s salmon freezes beautifully. If you know how to freeze food correctly, you can enjoy tasty frozen salmon for months to come.
In this article I’ll share everything I’ve learned about successfully freezing salmon from Costco. You’ll find tips on storage thawing, and cooking so you can make the most of this handy freezing hack. Get ready to save money and reduce waste with freezer salmon on demand!
Why Freezing Costco Salmon is a Smart Move
Freezing fresh salmon from Costco offers several advantages:
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Saves money: If you buy in bulk when it’s on sale, you won’t have to pay full price later.
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Reduces waste – Freezing prevents spoilage so no salmon goes bad
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Provides convenience – Frozen salmon is ready to thaw and eat anytime
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Locks in freshness – Freezing preserves texture, flavor and nutrients
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Allows stocking up – Build your frozen salmon inventory during sales
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Adds variety – Enjoy salmon year-round by freezing different cuts
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Makes meal prep easier – Thaw frozen salmon for quick weeknight dinners
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Improves budgeting – Plan exactly how much salmon you need by freezing
Clearly, keeping a stash of frozen Costco salmon makes good financial and practical sense. Time to learn how to do it right!
Step-By-Step Guide to Freezing Salmon from Costco
Follow these simple steps for successfully freezing fresh salmon fillets or steaks from Costco:
1. Select Fresh Salmon
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Inspect for freshness – choose moist, firm salmon without dry spots or unpleasant odors.
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Check expiration date – pick salmon with the furthest expiration date for maximum freeze time.
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Look for specialty cuts – take advantage of Costco’s selection like King, Sockeye and Coho.
2. Prepare the Salmon
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Clean fish – rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Portion salmon – cut into meal-sized portions if freezing large fillets.
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Remove skin – peel off skin to prevent water loss during freezing.
3. Package Salmon
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Place salmon in freezer bag – remove air and seal tightly.
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Optionally, wrap in plastic wrap – creates extra moisture barrier.
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Label bag – mark type of salmon, quantity, and freeze date.
4. Freeze Salmon
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Arrange flat in freezer – ensures quick, even freezing.
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Freeze at 0°F or below – proper temperature preserves texture and flavor.
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Freeze within 2 days of purchasing – for ideal freshness and quality.
And that’s it – your fresh Costco salmon is now frozen and storage ready!
Handy Tips for Freezing Costco Salmon
Follow these freezer salmon pro tips:
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Double wrap salmon in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Place salmon pieces in a single layer in the freezer to freeze faster.
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Use a deep freezer for longer storage – up to 9 months frozen.
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In a regular freezer, use frozen salmon within 3 months.
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Separate meal-size portions in freezer bags for easy thawing.
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Rotate frozen salmon – use older salmon first for maximum freshness.
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Add frozen salmon directly to cooking recipes – no need to thaw first.
Thawing Frozen Salmon from Costco
Thaw frozen Costco salmon safely using these methods:
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Refrigerator – Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Place on a plate or in a container to catch drips.
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Cold Water – Submerge bagged salmon in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Takes about 2 hours for a 1 lb fillet.
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Microwave – Defrost salmon in the microwave using the defrost setting if available. Check often to prevent cooking.
Cooking Previously Frozen Salmon
You can cook thawed frozen salmon just like fresh – it retains great taste and texture. Some cooking ideas:
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Baked salmon – Brush with oil or marinade and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
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Salmon burgers – Make patties with minced salmon, breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning. Pan fry or grill 4-5 minutes per side.
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Salmon cakes – Mix flaked salmon with mashed potatoes or breadcrumbs. Pan fry into patties and top with lemon cream sauce.
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Grilled salmon – Coat with olive oil and grill for 3-4 minutes skin side down, then flip and grill 2-3 more minutes.
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Salmon tacos – Break into chunks and pan fry with taco seasoning. Serve in warm tortillas with desired toppings.
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Salmon salad – Flake chilled salmon over greens, vegetables, boiled eggs, and toasted nuts. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
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Smoked salmon – Cure raw salmon with salt, sugar, and spices. Then hot or cold smoke until cooked through.
How Long Does Frozen Salmon Last?
Frozen properly, salmon lasts the following timeframes:
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Deep freezer at 0°F – 9-12 months
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Freezer section of refrigerator – 2-3 months
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Door shelf of refrigerator – 1-2 months
Discard any thawed salmon that smells unpleasant or has visible mold. For best quality and food safety, use frozen salmon within the timelines above.
Is Previously Frozen Salmon Safe to Eat Raw?
Salmon frozen solid at 0°F from a reputable retailer like Costco is safe to eat raw after thawing, as long as it has been stored properly. However, check with your doctor first if you are pregnant, elderly, or have a medical condition that weakens immunity. For maximum safety, pregnant women should avoid raw salmon.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Salmon from Costco?
It’s not recommended to refreeze salmon that has been completely thawed. Any thawed salmon should be cooked fully and eaten within the next 3 days for food safety. Refreezing may allow harmful bacteria to grow. However partially thawed salmon can be safely refrozen as long as ice crystals remain.
Storing Thawed Salmon Safely
To store thawed salmon:
- Keep thawed salmon refrigerated at 40°F or below
- Use within 2 days for best quality
- Discard if unpleasant odor develops
- Do not refreeze fully thawed salmon
Proper refrigerated storage prevents bacterial growth and keeps thawed salmon in prime condition for cooking.
Enjoy Your Frozen Salmon Treasure Trove!
By learning how to properly freeze fresh salmon from Costco, you can always have a stash ready for quick weeknight dinners and easy meal prep. Follow the tips above to successfully freeze, store, thaw, and cook delicious frozen salmon fillets. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and gain convenience with freezer salmon made easy. Get ready to become a salmon freezing expert!
How does flash freezing work?
Food manufacturers rely on complex freezing processes to ensure their products remain fresh for as long as possible while in storage. Manufacturing.net provides insight into the best practices for freezing food, such as the speed at which items are frozen. To maintain the best possible quality, foods must be frozen rapidly to prevent their water content from crystalizing and rupturing cells. Additionally, foods should be subject to freezing at their peak freshness before they begin to degrade. With seafood and other animal-derived products, the best time for freezing is immediately after the raw item has been processed.
Of course, using the right freezing methods is about more than just quality. The USDA says that frozen seafood is safe “indefinitely,” which means that it won’t cause foodborne illness or other problems as long as it is cooked the way the manufacturer says it should be. However, the agency does add that the “flavor and texture” of seafood will decrease in long-term storage. So, the next time you want to make a seafood meal, you might want to check out Costco’s fresh fish counter.
How to prepare and store a whole salmon from Costco
FAQ
How long is Costco salmon good in the fridge?
Is it OK to freeze store bought salmon?
Can I refreeze Costco previously frozen salmon?
Can you freeze a whole fresh salmon?
Does Costco sell frozen salmon?
As you can see, Costco carries quite a variety of salmon products. They have everything from canned salmon to salmon burgers to smoked salmon and, of course, frozen and fresh salmon filets. Everybody likes options, but sometimes this can lead to analysis paralysis. Should you go for frozen or fresh salmon? Farmed or wild?
How much does Costco salmon cost?
Here are Costco salmon prices as of 5/1/2022. How much is Salmon at Costco? Costco Atlantic salmon goes for roughly $10 a pound, and both Kirkland Signature fresh and frozen sockeye salmon costs about $13 per pound. Fresh and frozen salmon have similar prices, so pick based on the occasion and how you want to cook and serve it.
Can You Freeze frozen salmon?
I wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and then put them in a resealable freezer bag labeled with the date and how many pieces are inside. Then I can just thaw overnight for salmon anytime in the next few months, or even cook directly from frozen in the air fryer.
Is frozen salmon fresher than fresh?
Some even argue that frozen salmon is fresher than fresh salmon because they almost immediately freeze the fish to “lock in” the freshness. When it’s defrosted, it may taste closer to a 1-day-old fish than the fresh salmon that has been sitting in Costco’s refrigerator for a few days. When to Buy Fresh Salmon?