Every month, I prepare salmon for my family a few times. While I’d prefer to always have fresh wild-caught fillets, frozen salmon is more convenient for weekday meals. Often, I purchase salmon already frozen, but sometimes I freeze fresh salmon that I’ve purchased. Luckily, thawing either type is straightforward and ensures quick weeknight dinners are lag-free.
According to the USDA, you should thaw frozen foods in one of three ways: refrigerator, cold water, or microwave. Following these expert recommended guidelines helps to mitigate the risk of foodborne illness. Let’s delve into each technique separately.
Note: While it can be tempting to leave the salmon on the counter or run warm water over it, the USDA strongly advises against these practices. Salmon should be kept out of the “danger zone” of temperatures between 40°F to 140°F. When cooking, ensure the salmon reaches a core temperature of 145°F.
Checking that your salmon is fully thawed is simple. Attempt to bend the fillet in half and if it resists, it needs more time. If it bends with ease, then dinner will be ready in a jiffy!
Thawing Methods Pros and Cons:
1. Refrigerator: Takes 8 to 12 hours to thaw, but this method doesn’t require hands-on time and the salmon can be cooked within a day of thawing. The downside is that you need to think ahead because a full thaw can take up to 12 hours.
2. Cold Water: This method takes 1 to 2 hours to thaw and can be done quickly, allowing you to prep dinner while it’s defrosting, using only a container, cold water, and a timer. The downside is the need to monitor the process closely, setting a timer to ensure safe defrosting, and changing the water every 30 minutes.
3. Microwave: This rapid thawing method takes only 2 to 4 minutes. The downside is that microwaves can cook the salmon instead of just defrosting it, so it requires close observation. Additionally, it can impart an unpleasant odor to your microwave.
Remember, thawed salmon should be cooked immediately for maximum freshness and safety. No matter which method you choose, the reward will be a delicious salmon meal.
