My friends and I love eating smoked salmon dishes. Whenever we go on picnics, they always request for me to prepare some of my original recipes. On our last trip, they’ve asked me to prepare a lot of smoked salmon sandwiches. Unfortunately, many of our friends that we are expecting to come haven’t been able to come due to certain reasons. So I now have plenty of excess smoked salmons. How can I best preserve them so that they will not be wasted? Can I freeze them?
Smoked salmons are really great for many dishes. Aside from being tasty and delectable, smoked salmons also offer a handful of health benefits. Smoked salmon is a great source of protein, magnesium, selenium, vitamin B, and vitamin D.
But they can only last for one to two weeks in the pantry. Freezing is one the most common and effective way of preserving salmon. Smoked salmon can last for 3 to 6 months frozen at 0˚F.
Can You Freeze Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon can be frozen. Freezing can keep them for 3 to 6 months. They can be frozen whole or chunked. Individual servings must be placed in airtight freezer bags which are marked with the freezing date.
It is crucial to tightly seal the smoked salmons or else they will dry out. They should be defrosted in the refrigerator at a temperature of at most 40˚F to keep the quality and the harmful bacteria from growing.
Freezing does not take away much of its flavor. It is very important to note, however, that refreezing degrades their texture and flavor significantly.
So be sure to wrap them tightly before putting them in a zip-lock bag to avoid defrosting and refreezing them. To do this, you may double their wrapping.
Freezing is actually an excellent way to preserve smoked salmon’s color, taste, and texture. This is why many people prefer to buy already frozen smoked salmon.
It is quite easy to freeze smoked salmon. Just make sure that each step is done properly. Make sure to do your own research if unsure about anything.
How to Freeze Smoked Salmon
Freezing is known as the best way to preserve smoked salmon. Here are a step-by-step guide and some very helpful tips for freezing smoked salmon:
Cut
If you purchased whole smoked salmon, it is best that you cut it first into serving size chunks. This is so that you will be able to thaw only some of it if you decide to.
Place in the container
Wrap them into two layers of plastic wraps to avoid freezer burn. You may also add a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. Place the wrapped smoke salmon in a freezer bag keeping as much air as possible out.
Freeze
After wrapping the smoked salmons and placing them in freezer bags, make sure to seal them tightly. Do not forget to mark them with date.
Thawing
Remove the desired amount from the freezer. You can only do this if you have frozen them into chunks. Defrost them in the refrigerator until completely thawed. Thawed smoked salmon have the same quality as when they are fresh.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Smoked Salmon?
Smoked salmon is a delicious and versatile seafood that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra smoked salmon? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover smoked salmon:
- Make a frittata – A frittata is a quick and easy way to use up leftover smoked salmon. Just add some smoked salmon, eggs, and vegetables to a pan and cook until set. You’ll have a delicious and healthy meal in no time.
- Top your salad – Smoked salmon makes a great addition to any salad. Just add it in with your other favorite ingredients, and you’ve got a tasty and healthy dish in no time.
- Make a sandwich – Smoked salmon can also be used to make a delicious sandwich. Just add some smoked salmon, cream cheese, and vegetables to a piece of bread, and you’ve got a tasty and easy meal.
- Make dip – Smoked salmon dip is a great way to enjoy the taste of smoked salmon. To make smoked salmon dip, simply combine smoked salmon, cream cheese, sour cream, and spices in a food processor and blend until smooth. Serve with crackers or vegetables for dipping.
- Use it as an appetizer – Smoked salmon can also be enjoyed as an appetizer. Just top some crackers or toast with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and you’ve got a delicious and easy appetizer that everyone will love.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover smoked salmon. Next time you find yourself with extra seafood, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Smoked Salmon Recipes
There are many smoked salmon recipe dishes available. Here are some of the most popular recipes which you can do at home:
Smoked Salmon Pasta
This is a cheap yet delicious smoked salmon recipe. This dish is not overloaded with sauce so that the flavor the smoked salmon is emphasized. You can enjoy this dish with parmesan and parsley.
Smoked Salmon Sandwich
This is one of the most popular smoked salmon dishes. Delight in this luscious sandwich also filled with egg, mayonnaise, kale, and other fillings.
Smoked Salmon Salad
This fabulous healthy and dainty salad is stuffed with smoked salmon, tomato, cheese, and vinegar cream. This dish is also very easy and quick to make.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze smoked salmon. Frozen smoked salmon will last for 1-2 months in the freezer if stored properly. Freezing also preserves texture which means your frozen meal will taste just as good after being heated up again. Here are some things I would recommend you keep in mind when freezing smoked salmon: remove the skin and bones before freezing it, use a rubber spatula to get out all of the air while sealing tightly, store properly, and label the bag with today’s date.
Now that you know how to freeze your smoky salmon, please share your experience with me in the comment below!