Defrost fish fast using salt: A game-changing kitchen tip
Many people face the challenge of quickly defrosting fish. The desire for a quick and healthy meal often contradicts the time needed to defrost frozen fillets. However, a simple and effective method can speed up this process by several hours.
14 November 2024 17:34
Fish is a great alternative to heavier meat dishes like pork chops or roasts. It is easy to digest, full of nutrients, and works well in many kitchen variations—from frying and grilling to baking. However, cooking with frozen fish can be problematic, especially if we forget to defrost it properly. Fortunately, a simple trick will help you quickly prepare the fish for cooking, even if you just took it out of the freezer.
How to quickly defrost fish? Here’s a proven method
Do you often forget to take the fish out of the freezer in time? You’re not alone. In such situations, many people resort to less effective solutions, like pouring boiling water over the fish, which, unfortunately, can negatively affect its texture and taste. Meanwhile, anglers recommend a simple method that works quickly and doesn’t damage the delicate fish meat. The secret is… salt.
Salt - a natural ally in defrosting
To effectively defrost fish in a few minutes, just use a small amount of salt. Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Take the frozen fillets out of the packaging and place them on a plate or board.
- Sprinkle the meat with a little salt and gently rub it in. You don’t need a lot—just a thin layer will do.
- Wait a few minutes. The salt will start to accelerate the melting of the ice covering the fish, and the meat will quickly regain its natural texture.
Thanks to this trick, the ice will begin to melt almost immediately, and you’ll save a lot of time that you would normally spend waiting for the fish to thaw slowly.
Other methods of defrosting fish
Besides the salt method, there are other ways to quickly defrost fish, such as:
- Defrosting in water: Place the frozen fillets in a bowl of cold water. Change the water with fresh water periodically.
- Defrosting in the refrigerator: This is the safest but slowest method. Take the fillets out of the freezer in the evening and place them on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. In the morning, they’ll be ready to use.
- Defrosting in the microwave: It is not recommended to defrost fish in the microwave as it can lead to uneven defrosting and a loss of meat quality.
