Can You Freeze Salmon?

You can freeze raw or pickled salmon as well as smoked or seared salmon. The prerequisite is that the fish is still completely unspoiled – the smell test and a visual check will provide information in case of doubt. The salmon should definitely not smell strongly of fish and have a firm pink surface. If you want to freeze fresh salmon and eat it raw as sushi, for example, this test is particularly important. It is always advisable to store the salmon in the freezer for at least 24 hours before eating it raw, as parasites in the salmon die when it freezes. It is best to clean and fillet whole fish ready to cook and freeze the portions individually. It is important to place the salmon in an airtight container in the freezer. Thoroughly squeeze the air out of freezer bags or use a vacuum sealer. How long you can freeze fresh salmon depends on this: If you do it carefully, the fish will last up to 18 months.

Thaw salmon properly

To thaw, place the salmon in the refrigerator for several hours. Whether you can double freeze thawed raw salmon like other foods is a matter of kitchen hygiene and taste requirements. If the fish has been stored at room temperature for a long time, the risk of germ formation is high. In any case, do not freeze again. As a precaution, this also applies to goods for which you cannot trace the cold chain. Since the consistency and aroma suffer with every freezing process, single freezing and thawing is recommended for this reason alone.

How long can you freeze roasted and smoked salmon?

Hot-smoked Stremel salmon and smoked salmon slices can be frozen directly in the sales packaging. An additional freezer bag reduces the risk of freezer burn. Deep-frozen in this way, salmon can be kept for around three months, and longer storage times can be at the expense of the taste. Also, thaw smoked salmon slowly in the refrigerator – or alternatively in a water bath if you don’t have time. Quick defrosting in the microwave at low wattage is also possible. Cooked, grilled, or roasted salmon stays fresh for up to three months. Reheat cooked fish immediately after defrosting, for example by using it in our salmon and spinach quiche.