Can You Freeze Smoked Salmon And How To Do It Right?
If you have a question like “can you freeze smoked salmon”, this article is geared towards giving you the best answer and the best way to do it right.
Can you freeze smoked salmon? Most of us will encounter such question, and so we wonder if we can actually freeze smoked salmon. Considered as a tasty treat, you might come to the point of buying a bunch of it. But will you with the leftovers? Knowing that it could only be fresh for a short period in the refrigerator, what should you do now? So, you again wonder if you can freeze the smoked salmon.
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Can You Freeze Smoked Salmon?
The answer to this question is a definite YES! Of course, freezing smoked salmon is possible. Whether in whole, half or fillet, smoked salmon could be kept in the freezer as for prolonging its life. So, if you’ve cooked a lot of salmon wherein leftovers are possible, worry not as you can always put this dish in the freezer.
There is the fact that no fish is more smoker-friendly than the salmon. And this is a well-known secret to the Native Canadians and Native Americans on the Pacific coast before the Europeans set foot in the North America. Indeed, salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, and protein.
With the benefits and popularity of the salmon, they will preserve their catch through cutting filets from the fish then cure them by coating with a salt and draping the filets over the pole that is above a smoldering fire. And sometimes they would build smokehouses having walls that are made of animal hides.
And another way of smoking the salmon, practice in the Pacific Northwest, was to butterfly the fish, then attach it to the stake, and jam it in the ground around the campfire. This fish was gently cooked and also smoked at the same time. This was a method wherein refrigeration isn’t available yet.
Though refrigerating smoked salmon is widely available these days, still we couldn’t simply give up the taste of this dish, its delicate smoky flavor, and so freezing them is the best way to preserve them longer. But, the way you do the process of freezing the salmon will make a difference, so make sure you know how to do it right.
Before Freezing
Before you freeze the smoked salmon, you must know how long you could keep it in there. As you keep it in the fridge, it could last for about two months. So, if you plan to use the salmon within the said timeframe, freezing it might not be an option at all.
On the other hand, if you want to make it last longer, you can freeze the smoked salmon. With that, it could last for up to six months before its taste degenerates. And even foods with salmon could also be frozen, but there is also a need to consider the shelf life of the other ingredients.
How To Freeze Smoked Salmon?
Here’s the right way on how you can freeze smoked salmon:
- Cut the smoked salmon into small and thin slices if it was a big and whole piece the moment you purchased it. Cutting will make it a lot easier to defrost the salmon and a lot faster too. You might also take out a little bit of salmon from the freezer based on the numbers of guests you are to serve.
- After you sliced the smoked salmon, put the individual slices into two or more layers of the plastic wrap then wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn from happening. Though optional, an extra layer of the aluminum foil might be useful in terms of protecting the smoked salmon from freezer burn.
- And now, put the sliced pieces of the smoked salmon in different freezer bags, and you have to make sure that you seal them tightly and release any excess air prior to closing them up.
- Finally, you need to label and date the freezer bags of the smoked salmon having the date of first freezing. These freezer bags could be taken out of the freezer bags on an individual basis based on how much smoked salmon you want to use and consume.
Well, it will be your decision whether how many slices of smoked salmon you will put in the freezer bag. It could only be one slice or you can put five slices based on your preference. Remember that individual slices of salmon will not stick together once into freezing process so there is actually no reason why they must be separated in different bags.
There is also no need to place any object or barrier between the slices of this smoked salmon so long as the bags are sealed tightly. Smoked salmon could last up to 6 months or even more in the freezer without having any problems.
Thaw And Enjoy!
So, your question “can you freeze smoked salmon” is now answered. And this smoked salmon could last for up to 6 months in a chest freezer which has been maintained at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, if you are now ready to enjoy your frozen smoked salmon, you remove one of the wrapped packages of the smoked salmon. And allow the salmon the thaw in the fridge.
Based on the size of their pieces which you wrapped, the process of thawing might take up to 24 hours. You should take note that salmon must be cold as it thaws and you must never use hot water or leave the smoked salmon on the countertop just to thaw. If you do that, germs might begin to grow in the salmon.
And once it is fully thawed, you can now eat the smoked salmon. You don’t need to cook it or do any other food preparations. Just enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Indeed, smoked salmon is a great and delicious addition to your meal, may it be breakfast, lunch or dinner. Though it could be a bit expensive, it is absolutely so easy to freeze them and preserve them for almost numbers of months. This will make your purchase worth it. No need to ask “can you freeze smoked salmon” rather, just go and get even a bulk of it with no worry as you can definitely freeze them. Watch this to learn how to freeze salmon and other fish as well.
I hope you enjoyed this article! Please leave your suggestions or questions in the comments section below! We will be very pleased to hear your thoughts! Happy reading everyone!
