How to Defrost Fish Safely

on Jul 12, 2023, Updated Nov 14, 2024

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Defrosting fish safely may not be difficult, but it does need you to follow certain dos and don’ts. Here are a few different methods on how to defrost fish safely like an expert.

frozen fish on a wooden platter with text overlay

We’re a family of seafood lovers, so dishes like Mangalorean Fish Fry, Goan Prawn Curry, Amritsari Fish Fry, and New Orleans Shrimp Sausage Gumbo are a regular part of our weekly menu. For the longest time, we would go out and buy fresh fish the morning I planned to cook it. But over the last few years, I have switched to frozen fish for a number of different reasons.

One being that most likely fresh fish isn’t exactly fresh, especially if you live in a city like Bangalore which isn’t near the sea. Most vendors selling fresh fish actually just thaw previously frozen fish and sell it as fresh. This makes it unhygienic as well as lose essential nutrients.

Frozen fish, on the other hand, is usually frozen within a few hours of it being caught. This helps the fish retain its structural integrity, prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, and locks in essential nutrients.

So now that we have that out of the way, let’s find out how to defrost fish safely..

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Method #1: How to defrost fish in the fridge
Method #2: How to defrost fish in cold water
Things To Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Favorite Fish Recipes

Method #1: How to defrost fish in the fridge

Simply remove the pack of frozen fish from the freezer the night before/or the morning of when you plan to cook it and place it in the refrigerator. This will make sure that your fish thaws out gradually.

Tip: Place it on a tray to catch any defrosted water – it’ll save you a mess later!

This method requires about 6 to 10 hours for the fish to thaw, depending on the size, type, and thickness of the cut. So it won’t work for those sudden fish cravings. But it is one of the best ways to maintain the integrity, nutrition, and freshness of the fish.

Method #2: How to defrost fish in cold water

Remove the frozen fish from the original packaging and transfer it to a bowl.
Fill the bowl with cold water, and submerge the pack of fish fully in it.
Change the water every 30-45 minutes until the fish is completely thawed.

This is the method I personally love using to defrost my fish in a safe and hygienic manner. It’s also faster and does not need any advance planning (I can never remember to start defrosting fish the night before).

P.S. The temperature of the water has to be cold or cool to touch, not warm and definitely not hot. You can also use tap water as long as the water isn’t warm or hot to touch (can happen during summers)

Things To Avoid

Warm water: Warm or hot water can cook the surface of the fish, change its texture and structural integrity. Always use cold water when defrosting any seafood.
Leaving it on the countertop: Even though this won’t cook the fish, the temperature difference between freezing and room temperature may change the texture or lead to bacterial growth.
Avoid direct contact with water: When thawing, it is best to keep your fish separated from water by keeping it in a resealable plastic bag or its original packaging. Too much contact with water can make the fish soggy, texture mushy, and the final dish a lot less flavourful.
Do not refreeze thawed fish: Once your fish is thawed, it is best to cook it immediately. Avoid re-freezing your fish at all costs as that can change the structural integrity of the fish, and cause harmful bacteria to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the defrost function in my microwave to thaw fish?

While the defrost function on your microwave might seem like a brilliant idea to defrost your fish fast, it is actually the worst possible way to defrost frozen fish. Can you do it? Sure. But it is absolutely not recommended. The sudden change in temperature from the freezer to microwave could shock the fish leading to breakdown of structural integrity, change in texture, and bacterial growth. All of which make it unsafe for consumption.

What is the best way to defrost fish quickly?

All of us have days when we are in a hurry and need the fish to be defrosted ASAP. And according to experts, here’s how to defrost fish quickly, in about 30 minutes:
– Keep the fish in its original vacuum-filled packaging (or a resealable plastic bag) and place it in a big bowl of cold tap water.
– Fully submerge the package in water. If needed, you can place a dish or bowl on top to keep it in place and prevent it from bobbing up and down otherwise it won’t thaw out evenly.
– Change the water frequently, every 10 minutes or so, to prevent it from getting cooler as that will delay the defrosting process.
– After about 30 minutes, take the fish out of the water and see if it bends easily. If it does, your fish is ready to cook. If not, leave it in there for another 10 minutes or so.