How to freeze fish
No vacuum sealer, no problem
YEARS AGO, I was cleaning salmon along the Kenai River in Alaska when I noticed a man who was cleaning his fish with a tub full of water beside him. He put each fillet into a freezer bag and eased it into the water before zipping it closed. Curious, I asked him to explain his method. He graciously shared his fish freezing system, which I still use today.
The first step, he said, is to fill a container with water deep enough to completely submerge your resealable bag. Next, place fish fillets inside the bag, neatly laying them side by side. This allows you to stack the fillets neatly in your freezer. Zip the bag most of the way closed, leaving about an inch open at one end, then gently lower the packaged fillets into the tub of water, allowing the water to push the air out of the bag until only the open end of the bag is above the water line. Finally, zip the bag closed, creating an air-free package.
This method helps prevent freezer burn, which decreases the quality of frozen food items. It’s a great way to remove most of the oxygen in the bag before freezing your fish—no vacuum sealing machine required. This system also creates neat, stackable packages, saving freezer space.
Over the years, I’ve added some of my own refinements. I suggest you use a double-sealed bag for best results. If one of the locks on the bag fails, you have a second as a backup. I like to use my cooler for dipping the bags, but a 5-gallon bucket will work—or anything that is deep enough to submerge your bag. Another tip is to put some ice in the water. It’s always best to put fish in the freezer when it’s already cold, so I will even refrigerate my packaged fillets for an hour or so before putting them in the freezer. Try this packaging system after your next fishing trip and enjoy fresher, firmer fillets when you decide to cook a few for dinner.
There are so many lessons and techniques that we learn while afield. Some fall by the wayside, while others stand the test of time. This lesson that I learned on the Kenai River in Alaska, so long ago, is a keeper.
