Smoked salmon is one of my favorite foods I love having it on hand to make easy appetizers, salads, pasta dishes and more. But since it’s quite expensive, I don’t want to waste any of it This led me to wonder – can you safely refreeze smoked salmon after thawing?
The good news is that you can freeze smoked salmon again to make it last longer. But there are some important rules to follow to keep it fresh and keep the quality from going down.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about properly refreezing smoked salmon, including how long it keeps and the best storage methods.
Is It Safe to Refreeze Smoked Salmon?
Refreezing smoked salmon is completely safe, provided it has been thawed and handled properly. According to food safety experts, any raw protein like fish can be refrozen after thawing if:
- It was thawed slowly in the refrigerator (not at room temperature).
- It was kept at 40°F or below while thawing.
- It was thawed for no more than 2 days.
If these things are true, the smoked salmon that has been thawed can go straight back into the freezer. I like to freeze them in single servings so I don’t have to thaw more than I need later.
Quick thawing smoked salmon on the counter or in water should be avoided. Using these methods to thaw the fish, it should be cooked right away instead of being frozen again.
Does Refreezing Affect Quality?
Refreezing does slightly diminish the quality of smoked salmon compared to fresh frozen. Each thaw/refreeze cycle causes more moisture loss, affecting the texture. The bold color may also fade more over time.
That said, properly frozen and refrozen smoked salmon retains its safety and most of its flavor. It will still taste delicious in dishes or appetizers. Just use refrozen fish a bit sooner for best moistness and appearance.
How to Refreeze Smoked Salmon
To retain as much quality as possible, here are some tips for refreezing smoked salmon:
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Refreeze it as soon as possible after thawing in the fridge.
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Cut into individual serving sizes or recipes before refreezing.
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Wrap the salmon very tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags, removing all air.
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Use within 2 months for best flavor, texture and color.
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When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator again overnight.
Vacuum sealing the smoked salmon provides the best protection against freezer burn which compromises texture and moisture. But tightly wrapped smoked salmon will still refreeze well for at least a month.
I like to wrap servings in plastic wrap, place in Ziploc freezer bags and press out all the air before sealing. Then I pop them right into the freezer to quickly re-solidify the fish.
Storing Refrozen Smoked Salmon
Properly wrapped, refrigerated thawed smoked salmon keeps for up to 3 days before needing to be cooked or refrozen.
In the freezer, refrozen smoked salmon keeps well for 2-3 months. The flavor remains good but the texture gets a bit more mushy over time compared to fresh frozen salmon.
For best quality, try to use your refrozen smoked salmon within 1 month. Store it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
If vacuum sealed before refreezing, the smoked salmon can last up to 6 months frozen. But the taste and texture will start to decline after 3-4 months.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Smoked Salmon More Than Once?
It’s not recommended to refreeze smoked salmon more than once. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles significantly degrade the quality.
The salmon may still be safe but the texture will become quite mushy. The flavor will be weaker and colors faded compared to fresh smoked salmon.
For best results, only refreeze thawed smoked salmon once. Be sure to label the bag with the refreeze date so you know how old it is. Use within a month or two.
Storing Fresh Smoked Salmon
Fresh, unopened smoked salmon bought at the store keeps well frozen for 2-3 months. An unopened vacuum sealed package can last up to 6 months frozen before the quality starts to decline.
Once opened, smoked salmon will last around 3-5 days tightly wrapped in the fridge. Only thaw as much as you plan to eat within a few days.
For the longest shelf life, freshly smoked salmon can go straight into the freezer. Wrap portions in plastic wrap or vacuum seal. Frozen, it will keep for 2-6 months.
Enjoying Refrozen Smoked Salmon
The good news is refrozen smoked salmon retains much of its bold, smoky flavor. It makes delicious appetizers, brunch dishes, pasta, pizza and more!
Some favorite ways I like to use up refrozen smoked salmon:
- Smoked salmon wraps with cream cheese, veggies
- Eggs Benedict topping
- Mix into pasta, risotto or fried rice
- Salad topping paired with citrus, nuts, greens
- Smoked salmon dip or spread
- Pizza topping
With proper freezing and thawing techniques, you can feel good about refreezing smoked salmon to save money and reduce waste!
Here’s How to Refreeze Fish
The short answer to your question about whether you can refreeze seafood that has already been frozen is yes, but only if it was defrosted in certain ways.
Refreezing fish properly can be a culinary lifeline. Think of the times you had thawed seafood in your refrigerator and couldn’t use it right away. Perhaps you defrosted a couple of sockeye fillets but made other dinner plans. Or maybe you thawed more Wild Alaska Pollock portions than you needed.
Before we talk about the best way to freeze fish again, let’s go over some important dos and don’ts.
Do Thaw Under Refrigeration
Keep it cold! You can safely refreeze fish if it was originally thawed overnight in the fridge. Under USDA guidelines1, it’s safe to refreeze any previously frozen food that has been thawed in the refrigerator. The guidelines assume the food hasn’t spoiled before being refrozen, of course.
This principle also applies to raw fish and seafood. Your dinner date with your friends got rained out? If so, wrap those halibut steaks again and freeze them for next weekend’s dinner.
If the protein has been kept at 40F or lower, it can be frozen again without any problems. This temperature is the food safety threshold for defrosting under refrigeration2.
Seafood that is partially thawed can be refrozen, too. Doing a second freeze can help when you want to use a smaller portion of seafood. For example, if you want weathervane scallops but don’t want to eat the whole pack, you can break it up by letting it defrost a little at a time in the fridge. You can refreeze whatever you don’t plan to use.
Perfect Smoke Salmon With No Brine
FAQ
Can you refreeze smoked salmon twice?
Can I freeze smoked salmon that was previously frozen?
Can previously frozen salmon be refrozen?
Why is smoked salmon not suitable for freezing?
Can You refreeze smoked salmon?
The only thing that affects how well the salmon refreezes is the ingredients used in preparing smoked salmon. As long as the ingredients used in marinating the smoked salmon are freezer-friendly and you have followed the refreezing instructions cautiously, it is completely safe to refreeze smoked salmon and can be stored for up to 6 months.
Is smoked salmon safe for kidneys?
Smoked salmon is safe for the kidneys, as long as it does not exceed the renal load, that is, the amount of recommended daily protein.
Can You thaw frozen smoked salmon?
The best way to thaw frozen smoked salmon is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the quality of the fish. While it is generally not recommended to refreeze smoked salmon, proper storage and handling can help extend its shelf life.
How long can smoked salmon be frozen?
Sealed store-bought salmon can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. However, after you have opened the seal, it’s advised to use the frozen salmon before the expiration date mentioned on the packaging. Can you refreeze defrosted smoked salmon?