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April 16, 2025

How do you defrost frozen fish?

At Golden Ocean, we sell top-quality fish year-round, straight from the source. Thanks to modern freezing techniques, such as Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) , we freeze the fish at extremely low temperatures immediately after harvest. This optimally preserves nutrients, texture, and flavor.

To optimally enjoy our (frozen) fresh fish, it's important to thaw it correctly. Below you'll find the most important do's and don'ts for thawing fish.

Do's – How to defrost fish correctly

1. Let the fish thaw slowly in the refrigerator

The best and safest method is to let the fish thaw slowly in the refrigerator.

  • Time : Allow 8 to 12 hours, depending on the size and thickness of the product.

  • Benefits : This method preserves flavor and texture, and limits the chance of bacterial growth.

  • Use a bowl or plate to catch any spilled liquid. This prevents cross-contamination with other foods.

  • It's best to leave the fish in its original packaging . This helps preserve the flavor, especially if it's vacuum-sealed. If the packaging has already been removed, wrap the fish securely in a plastic bag or foil.

 

2. Thaw in cold water (below 5°C)

If you are short on time, you can thaw fish faster in cold water.

  • How? Place the fish (preferably in a sealed plastic bag) in a bowl of cold water.

  • Change the water every 10 minutes , until the fish is completely thawed.

  • Make sure the water remains below 5°C to prevent bacterial growth.

 

Don'ts – What to avoid

  • Thaw at room temperature.
    Never leave fish on the counter. Temperatures above 4–5°C (39–41°F) promote rapid bacterial growth.

  • thawed,
    do not refreeze fish. Repeated freezing affects the texture, flavor, and nutritional value. Process or eat the fish immediately after thawing.

  • Using warm water or the microwave.
    Although it seems faster, defrosting with warm water or in the microwave causes uneven heating. This can lead to (partially) cooking the fish, resulting in a loss of flavor and texture.

  • Using the sun or oven:
    Do not thaw fish in direct sunlight or a hot oven. This increases the risk of bacterial growth and an uneven thawing process.

 

Finally

If you follow these tips, you can enjoy the taste and quality of Golden Ocean fish all year round – as if it were freshly caught.

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