There’s little so frustrating as coming home hungry and craving fish, only to find you forgot to take it out of the freezer. This common occurrence doesn’t need to stop you from enjoying the fish anyway, as fish can still be delicious when cooked from frozen.
Chefs are always singing the praises of fresh and local ingredients, but experts at Taste of Home magazine say that, in the case of seafood, “fresh fish doesn’t always equate to first-rate flavour”. The magazine says that most stores receive frozen fish that’s thawed before it goes into the fish counter, so the quality “deteriorates as the day goes on”. Flash-frozen fish, on the other hand, is “almost always a high-quality product”, as the freezing process preserves the fish’s freshness and texture.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to wait hours and hours for your fish to thaw. Taste of Home says it’s a little-known secret that “it’s safe to cook most fish straight from the freezer”.
The magazine said one of the best ways to cook frozen salmon is by grilling it in foil. The foil “protects the frozen flesh from the grill’s harsh flames”, which can burn the exterior before the inside has thawed and cooked through. It also traps the steam inside, helping the salmon thaw more evenly.
Season the fish after a few minutes of cooking when the surface thaws enough to become sticky. Brush the salmon with oil and season it with the seasonings of your choice before sealing the packet tightly. You can also put some vegetables into the packet.
Grill the packet over medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. Be careful when opening the packet to check for doneness, as the steam will be very hot.
The best side dishes for salmon include veggies, grains and salads. Taste of Home suggests pairing salmon with herb-roasted vegetables like potatoes, carrots, asparagus or broccoli. To make the meal more filling, add a grain like pasta, quinoa or rice.
If you want to thaw fish before cooking, this can take between 12 and 24 hours, depending on the size. When cooking, aim for an internal temperature of 63C for safety and optimal flavour.
