How to Freeze Catfish. Catfish have a nice, mild flavor and can be cooked in a variety of ways: baked, grilled, pan broiled, fried or microwaved. Whether you caught a school of fish yourself or bought extra at the store because of a sale, freezing catfish for later eating is easy.
Clean the fish if it is whole as soon as possible. Cut into portion-size fillets for easier cooking.
Rinse the catfish fillets under cool tap water. Pat dry with a towel.
Get plastic wrap that will fit around the fish tightly. Squeeze all the air out before putting in the freezer. Use a vacuum sealing machine to get an airtight seal easily if you have one.
Wrap again tightly with aluminum foil. Label the contents with a dark felt pen and mark the expiration date before you freeze it. Use the catfish within 3 months of freezing it.
Immediately place in the freezer. Make sure nothing is placed on top of the catfish until it is frozen.
Consider using heavy-duty plastic freezer bags as an alternative. Place the fish in a bag and freeze for a few days. Remove from the freezer and add a very small amount of water. Move the bag around to take out any air around the fish, reseal the bag and refreeze.
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Tips
- When you buy from the grocer, make sure that the eyes are firm and clear. Avoid buying those that have sunken, dark eyes. Flesh should be firm when touched.
- You can store catfish in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and then freeze.
- Never let it defrost at room temperature. Instead, place in the refrigerator overnight or place under cool, running water.
- Freezing in water causes the fish to absorb the water.
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