Defrosting Salmon: What to Do and What to Avoid

Whether you have popped fresh fish in the freezer yourself or you have bought frozen fish from the store, you probably know that this is an amazing way to eat healthily, cut down on food waste and save money. However, lots of people are unsure exactly how to defrost their frozen salmon safely. Defrosting salmon filets correctly is vital as accurate thawing improves the fishes flavor, quality and taste.

How to Defrost Frozen Salmon

When you need to defrost frozen salmon, you must keep in mind that you are going to have to maintain the tasty flavor of the fish, in addition to ensuring that the salmon does not spoil in the process. Unlike other sorts of foods which can be defrosted on the countertop, salmon must not be defrosted in this way as it is not safe. Instead of putting your frozen salmon out on the counter to defrost, you will need to use other approaches that will mean your frozen fish is safe for feasting on.

Frozen salmon is thawed fully when it is flexible when you move it and you are able to bend it a little. Luckily there are a number of ways to safely defrost salmon at home. Defrosting in your refrigerator, microwave defrosting or defrosting in icy water are just some of the methods you can use. Every way to defrost salmon will have its own set of things to avoid and you will need to understand the essential precautions that you have to take to guarantee that your salmon is in ideal condition for your plate.

Defrosting Salmon in the Refrigerator

The majority of frozen salmon that you buy from the store will come in plastic. These contained bags are perfect for defrosting as you can leave the salmon in the bags to thaw out. It is vital to remember to place the salmon in the refrigerator and do not leave it out not on the countertop. The temperature of the fish is very central when defrosting. By using a refrigerator, you will let the filets stay cool, and as salmon spoils far too easily, this decreases your chances of having to throw bad fish away. Also, you need to think about just how long salmon can be kept in the refrigerator for after it has thawed through. Eating perished fish will cause your family health complications, and if you are not careful this could include food poisoning.

Usually, it will take several hours to defrost your fish in the refrigerator. The best way to achieve this is to simply leave it overnight, which is typically a sufficient amount of time for the salmon to defrost through completely. It is equally important not to leave your fish in too long as it will become tough and tasteless.

Microwave Thawing

If you are looking to defrost your salmon rapidly, then you will need to use this technique to thaw your fish. But there are a couple of things that you need to recognize in order to ensure that it is done correctly. Lots of microwave owner manuals will provide you with comprehensive instructions on how to defrost salmon, however there is basic technique to do it:

• Have an estimate of the weight of your salmon pieces.
• Select the “defrost” setting and enter a time that matches the weight of the fish.
• Look in on the fish frequently.
• Halt defrosting as soon as you are able to bend the salmon, but when you can see that it is still slightly icy.
• For best results cook your salmon straight away once it has been thawed.

Discovering how much your salmon weighs is a great way to work out just how long defrosting your piece of salmon will take, but then again checking on the salmon repeatedly is imperative. It might also help take a break in proceedings during the defrosting process occasionally to turn the salmon over as you defrost it, which will guarantee a more uniform defrosting. Where a salmon thaws unequally, it might then make it more tough to cook. Furthermore, it is important to say that some microwaves will be more powerful, so know your power settings as you do not want your salmon to dry out during cooking.

This is the best way to defrost salmon quickly, and the method that people use most often as this is likely to be the fastest way to do it, but then you need to remember that you can damage the salmon if you overcook it as you defrost it.

Icy Water Defrosting

When you need to thaw frozen salmon without using an electrical appliance, then you can follow a process using icy water which will work out just as well. Usually, it only takes around an hour to do so you will soon be cooking up fresh fish. To achieve this, take the following steps:

• Fill up a large pan with cold water from the tap and add ice cubes.
• Put the salmon, which should still be wrapped in plastic, in the pan.
• Look over the salmon occasionally and push the centre of each piece of fish which should feel soft as soon as it is defrosted.

When you use icy water, the temperature is very significant, as the quality of your salmon will deteriorate if the water gets warm. By using icy water, this is the guaranteed way to defrost your fish safely. The thinner the filets the more quickly they will defrost so keep checking on them.

Things to Avoid

• Evade cross contamination when defrosting fish by always washing your hands properly before and after touching and raw salmon.
• At no time use the same kitchen utensils to plate up your fish that you have used when cooking the salmon.
• Refrigerate leftovers instantly and use or throw the out within two days.

With each of these approaches at hand, knowing how to defrost salmon correctly will ensure that you are well-equipped to cook perfect frozen salmon the next time you need to make a quick and healthy meal.

Sources:

1. What to Do (and What to Avoid) When Defrosting Salmon – Kitchn
2. Defrosting Fish – Fresh From The Freezer