freezing mackerel

[toontastic]

In the past I've froze mackerel for bait over the winter but never for eating. Do they freeze ok and is it best to freeze fresh or cooked. If they're no good frozen what's the best way to preserve a few.

[39TDS]

I was told recently that frozen for eating is best used within 4 months. Never really thought of it before.

I have one of those freezers where things get put in it but nothing ever gets taken back out again. I doubt I am the only one.

[Thunderbird]

I've kept 'freshly' frozen mackerel well-wrapped in the freezer for ages (years) and eaten it with no issues. Same with every other meat or fish to be honest.

I would freeze fresh then cook later.

Edited June 28, 2014 by Thunderbird

[FalconFN]

I don't think it freezes well at all as it goes a bit mushy when cooked. If you have too many to eat fresh then I would cut some into strips and souse them, along with some onion and pepper corns, in a balsamic vinegar and brine solution, that way they will easily last a week or so. Also try brining and hot smoking some, afterwards they will freeze really well if tightly wrapped.

[clakk]

always frozen after seafishing devon/cornwall as long as their gutted n the black mesh inside is removed keep for months no issues when cooked atb

[Berettacocker]

Catch, clean then straight into a cool box full of ice. We all do our best when we get them home, but doing this really makes the difference.

[welsh1]

Freeze fresh and as said no problems defrosting many months after and eating

[fandango]

Try vacuum packing your fish,,,, I do all mine in the vac packer, as we tend to get quite a few,, for mackerel I vac pack in the summer and smoke them during the winter,, along with eating un smoked ones,, they unfreeze perfectly,, I have fish in my freezer from 2012 which is still perfect,,, had some bass the other day which had been vac packed and frozen in 2012,,, it was perfect........ Started going through the remnants of last years mackerel to make room in the freezer for this years catch, so we have been eating mackerel since April,, iif its vac packed i know it will be good......... Well worth the money these machines I think,,,,,, every thing that goes into my freezers gets vac packed,, from rabbits, geese, ducks, venison, crabs & lobsters plus any bulk buy foods" even herbs from the garden................ Though its the best thing for fish especially mackerel which doesn't really like being frozen.

[thepasty]

can freeze it fine but it doesnt take to freezing too well, as has been said already the flesh loses some of its firmness, still tastes fine but texture changes a bit.

 

The vac bagging sounds like its worth a try.

[Blackpowder]

I hot smoke mackerel then wrap them in cling film, then into zip lock bags. Eat them up to six months after freezing, they are ok but not as good as fresh smoked/cooked but the still make good pate and fishcakes.

 

Blackpowder

[toontastic]

Thanks for the tips, gonna vac pac them and give making fish cakes a go.