Can You Freeze Cod? – How to Freeze Cod? – How Long Does Cod Last In The Freezer?

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Can You Freeze Cod?: Cod is a popular type of fish that can be cooked in multiple ways. It is a white fish with a mild flavor that is really versatile in cooking. Cod can be sold fresh, frozen, or canned.

Do you have a stock of cod? And wonder how long cod lasts in the fridge? Can you freeze cod? Yes, to extend the shelf life of raw cod, freeze it; when freezing, place the cod in the freezer as quickly as possible after purchase. Read on to find out all the details related to the shelf life, storage, freezing, and thawing of cod.

Can You Freeze Cod

Can You Freeze Cod?

Yes, you can surely freeze cod. For best quality, it is advisable to freeze the cod on the day of preparation or purchase. However, if you plan to eat the fresh cod roe within a few days, freezing may not be needed, simply keep it in the refrigerator instead.

You can easily freeze cod before or after cooking it. The only difference between the two freezing methods is that you will need to allow the cod sufficient cooling time before freezing it if you have cooked it.

You can maximize the shelf life of cod in the freezer by overwrapping the original store packaging with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper, or by placing the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag in order to prevent freezer burn. Let’s get into the details of the cod freezing process in the next section.

How To Freeze Cod?

You can properly freeze cod by following the steps listed below:

  • Cool: If you are planning to freeze cooked cod, you will need to leave it at room temperature until it has completely cooled. However, be careful not to leave it sitting out for too long, as fish that has been exposed to room temperature for too long might spoil.
  • Wrap: Wrap each piece of cod tightly in a sheet of tin foil or cling film. Wrap them properly to prevent them from sticking together during the freezing process.
  • Bag Up: Place the wrapped pieces of cod into a suitably sized freezer-safe bag and write the freezing date and the use-by date on it.
  • Freeze: Finally, place the labeled bag of cod into the freezer and leave it there for up to three months.

Find Out:

How Long Does Cod Last?

Do you wonder how long raw cod lasts in the fridge or freezer? The shelf life of cod depends to a large extent on storage conditions; therefore, keep cod refrigerated at all times. So how long does raw cod last after the sell-by date? Once the cod is purchased, it may be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days.

The “sell-by” date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the cod will remain safe to use even after the sell-by date if it has been properly stored. To maximize the shelf life of cod, unopened raw cod should be kept in its original store packaging when refrigerating; do not open the package until ready to use.

How long can raw cod be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature; therefore, cod should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. How long does raw cod last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 3 months, but it will remain safe beyond that time.

Best Tips For Freezing Cod

Abide by the below-given tips to freeze your cod in the best possible manner:

Freeze Individual Portions

If you have more than one piece of cod, it’s important to wrap and freeze them separately. If you place them in the same wrapping, it will be difficult to separate them when you come to remove them from the freezer. Once the cod is individually wrapped, you can place them in the same freezer-safe bag to save on space in the freezer.

Prep the Fish Beforehand

If you have a whole cod or anything bigger than a filet, you will need to prepare the fish before freezing it. Gut, de-bone, and skin the fish before going to the steps to freeze the filets correctly. You can freeze the cod before or after cooking it, as per your preference.

Freeze Other White Fish Varieties

We have told you how to freeze cod, but if you have haddock, roe, or any other species, you can freeze them by following the same steps listed above.

How Do You Defrost Cod?

To defrost frozen cod, remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw. Simply let it sit overnight to thaw. Thawing cod in the refrigerator will help retain its quality as the fish is thawed evenly. Try to cook the cod within 24 hours after it’s thawed completely to avoid bacterial growth. However, if you need cod quicker, you have the option to thaw it using a microwave or place it in warm water.

For defrosting cooked cod, remove them from the freezer and transfer them to the fridge. Let the cod thaw overnight in the fridge or for at least 5 hours so that it will thaw evenly throughout. Cooked cod, once thawed in the fridge, can then be kept there for an additional 3-4 days before cooking.

Now you may ask how long does raw cod last after being frozen and thawed? If you defrost your cod in the refrigerator, it can be kept for an additional 1–2 days before cooking; cod that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be cooked immediately. How long does cod last in the fridge once it is cooked? Cooked cod can stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and about 3 months in the freezer.

If you are willing to learn the freezing method of oysters and wondering whether you can do it or not do have a look at our article on Can you Freeze Oysters and clear your doubts.

Can You Refreeze Cod?

You may refreeze cod, but only under certain conditions. For instance, when the cod has not been completely thawed and is being thawed in the fridge. The reason why you can’t refreeze cod after it has completely thawed is due to the texture deterioration. On complete thawing, most of the moisture will leak from the flesh.

Meaning the texture will be broken up and cause the flesh to fall apart. On refreezing, the cod will no longer hold its structure, and the flesh will become mushy.

Do Cod Freeze Well?

Yes, cod freezes very well because the fish is high in water content and lean in fat. The key to keeping the fish fresh and preserving it for a long time is proper storage. Like any other food stored in the freezer, the longer the cod is kept there, the higher the chance that it will get freezer burn.

While you can’t prevent freezer burn, you can lessen the chance of the cod getting freezer burn by prepping the fish and storing them in a freezer-approved storage bag or airtight container.

How To Use Leftover Cod?

If you are wondering what to cook with your fresh or defrosted cod, here are some recipes to try out:

  • Cod Roe Fritters
  • Poached Cod Roe with Pickled Celeriac Mayo
  • Boiled Cod Roe With Shrimp

How To Tell If Cod Has Gone Bad?

There are a few things to look for when determining whether raw cod is spoiled:

  • The best way is to smell and look at the cod. Signs of bad cod are a sour or strong fishy smell, discard any cod with an off smell.
  • Second, check the color of the fish to see if it’s significantly darker than it was when you bought it.
  • Finally, check the texture of the cod. If the cod is slimy or sticky, that’s another sign that it’s no longer fresh.

FAQs On Freezing Cod

1. Does Freezing Fish Ruin It?

No, it does not. If you freeze fresh fish and wrap it sufficiently to ensure it is stored airtight, then freezing will not ruin your fish. The only time it will ruin, is if you try to refreeze fish multiple times.

2. Do you need to clean cod before freezing? 

Yes, cod can be cleaned by cutting off the head and tail, then slicing down the center of the fish. You may also soak the cod in a saltwater solution for a few minutes before cleaning to help remove any blood or slime.

3. How long can cod stay out at room temperature?

Cod can stay at room temperature for a few hours, but it’s best to refrigerate it as soon as possible. When cod goes bad, it smells fishy and tastes sour because of bacterial contamination.

4. Can you freeze cod fish cake?

Yes, the cod fish cake can be frozen, both cooked or uncooked. But to ensure that the fish cakes don’t stick together while frozen, it’s best to flash freeze them beforehand. Make sure to seal the lid tightly, label it with the freezing date, and then place it in the freezer.

Wrapping Up

We hope this article helped you know all the necessary details of freezing cod the right way. Properly stored, the cod can last for up to four months in the freezer. Again, it’s advisable to freeze cod roe on the same day that you’ve purchased it. So what are you waiting for?

Follow our best tips and freeze your cod right now. Don’t forget to share your experience of freezing cod with us in the comment section. Check our latest articles Can you Freeze Sushi and do not mix any wellness updates.

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