You reach into the freezer to grab some fish fillets for dinner, only to discover dry, icy patches on the surface. Uh oh, it’s freezer burned While discolored and dried out fish may not look very appetizing, you may be wondering if it’s still safe to eat Can you salvage freezer burned fish to feed your family or is it destined for the trash?
Freezer burn is a common occurrence, leaving many home cooks confused about what to do with affected frozen foods. When it comes to fish, it’s a particularly delicate protein prone to quality deterioration during freezing.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the safety and quality of freezer burned fish You’ll learn how to determine if it’s still usable, the best cooking methods, steps to prevent future freezer burn, and more.
What is Freezer Burn Exactly?
Before determining if it’s edible, it helps to understand what causes freezer burn in the first place. When food is frozen, the water inside expands forming ice crystals. During storage, air can penetrate the packaging and come into contact with the frozen food. This air causes the ice crystals to turn into water vapor in a process called sublimation.
The problem is this vapor doesn’t refreeze, instead escaping the food. The result is desiccated spots that are dry and discolored. Flavor compounds also evaporate along with the moisture, compromising taste.
While unsightly, freezer burn itself doesn’t make the food unsafe. It is purely a quality issue rather than a food safety one. Keep this in mind when deciding what to do with freezer burned fish.
Is Freezer Burned Fish Safe to Eat?
The good news is yes, fish affected by freezer burn is 100% safe to eat according to food safety experts. It may be dry and tasteless in parts, but it shouldn’t make you sick. As long as the fish was stored properly at 0oF or below and has not surpassed its use-by date, it should still be fine for consumption.
The key is checking carefully for any signs of spoilage beyond the freezer burn. Make sure the texture hasn’t become slimy or too mushy. Give it a sniff test for any seriously funky odors beyond slight freezer smells. If it otherwise seems unspoiled, feel confident cooking up that freezer burned fish.
Tips for Cooking Freezer Burned Fish
While freezer burned fish won’t harm you, the texture and flavor may be less than stellar. Trimming off any hard icy sections can help reduce the dryness. Here are some other great tips for restoring freezer burned fish:
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Poach, boil or steam to rehydrate it. The moisture will bring some juiciness back.
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Bake, grill or pan fry using a marinade, sauce or vinaigrette. The extra liquid will prevent drying out.
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Opt for heavy, flavorful sauces like tomato or cream to mask any off-flavors.
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If fish looks too dry for traditional cooking, use it in fish cakes, dip or soup.
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Intense seasonings like Cajun spices, lemon pepper and garlic can spice up taste.
With the right techniques, you can transform freezer burned fish into a tasty meal and avoid waste!
How to Prevent Freezer Burn in Fish
Now let’s talk about how to avoid freezer burned fish fillets in the future. Follow these simple guidelines for keeping frozen fish in optimal condition:
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Place fish in air-tight packaging like zip-top freezer bags, squeezing out excess air.
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Wrap fish tightly in plastic wrap to create another protective barrier.
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If storing longer than 2-3 months, overwrap packages with foil or freezer paper.
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Freeze fish as quickly as possible at 0oF or below to minimize ice crystal formation.
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Avoid overcrowding the freezer so air can properly circulate around packages.
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Store fish toward the back of the freezer, away from the door where temperature fluctuates.
With proper freezing and storage habits, you can avoid most freezer burn on fish. But some discoloration may still inevitably occur over longer storage.
How Long Can You Keep Frozen Fish?
Speaking of storage time, a question that often arises is just how long fish stays fresh and tasty when frozen. Here are some general guidelines based on type:
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Lean fish like cod, flounder or haddock: 6-8 months
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Fattier fish like salmon, tuna or mackerel: 2-3 months
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Shellfish like shrimp, scallops or crab: 3-6 months
Of course quality slowly declines over these lengths of time, so the sooner you can eat frozen fish the better. Mark your calendar to use frozen fish a month or two before these timeframes so it still tastes great.
And remember, keeping your freezer very cold at 0oF, avoiding thawing/refreezing, and minimizing exposure to air will help extend freezer life.
Common Questions About Freezer Burned Fish
If you’re new to dealing with freezer burned fish, chances are you still have some lingering questions. Here we’ll tackle some of the most frequently asked:
Is heavily freezer burned fish safe to eat?
If fish is heavily affected to the point that it’s dried out and mushy throughout, it’s best to discard it. At this stage, the quality is very poor and not worth trying to salvage. Stick to minor freezer burn spots that can be trimmed off.
Can you get sick from eating freezer burned fish?
You cannot get ill directly from freezer burn alone. However, fish that has been stored too long past its prime in the freezer or has thawed/refrozen multiple times can potentially become unsafe from bacteria growth. Always inspect fish closely and watch for odd smells, colors or textures. When in doubt, throw it out.
Should you rinse off freezer burned areas on fish?
No, do not rinse or soak frozen fish prior to cooking. This can promote bacteria growth. Simply trim any desiccated sections after thawing. Rinsing should only be done immediately before eating for fresh fish.
Can you refreeze fish after freezer burn?
Previously frozen fish that develops any freezer burn should not be refrozen after thawing. The moisture loss and cellular breakdown make it highly prone to spoilage if frozen again. Refreezing is also not recommended from a quality perspective.
Should you eat freezer burned fish raw?
Raw fish dishes like sashimi, poke and ceviche rely on ultra-fresh quality fish. The dehydration and texture changes from freezer burn make thawed frozen fish a poor choice for eating raw. Cook previously frozen fish.
Don’t Waste That Freezer Burned Fish!
Now you know that fish with minor freezer burn is perfectly safe to eat with some extra TLC in cooking and preparation. With the technique tips and preventative measures provided here, you can stop needlessly throwing out decent frozen fish.
Spend a few minutes inspecting and trimming any desiccated sections, then pick a recipe that adds moisture and flavor back. From lemon zest baked cod to Cajun blackened tilapia, your freezer burned fish can be transformed into a delicious dinner.
Have you salvaged freezer burned fish before? We’d love to hear your experiences and favorite cooking methods in the comments!
When to Use Food With Freezer Burn
If your food only has light freezer burn and you still want to cook it all the way through, defrost it the right way and use it as planned. If certain sections have more severe freezer burn than others, you can cut these parts away before cooking. Regardless, if freezer burn is the only problem, the food will still be safe to eat.
When to Toss Food With Freezer Burn
Freezer burn may not make food unsafe to eat, but it can affect the taste, texture, and color. Severely freezer-burned food will have an off taste that is especially noticeable in raw foods. If the freezer burn is extensive, its best to toss the food and learn from your mistakes.
Keep in mind that freezer burn by itself does not make food unsafe to eat, but foods that are frozen in the wrong way can still go bad. If the food has an off smell upon defrosting, discard it. Pay attention to how long foods have been frozen to make sure you eat them when they are at their best. To avoid freezer burn, follow these steps.