HELP Can I Refreeze Fish?

[MAKmom]

I just realized that I put frozen Salmon & Tilapia in the frige instead of the freezer. It defrosted can I refreeze?

I found this after I realized someone knocked over a pitcher of Icetea. This is before any morning coffee.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Safety, fine; quality, no. Cook and enjoy later today.

http://www.abaslesbac.org/mrs_cookwell/fact_sheets.shtml#refreeze

 

[MAKmom]

Thanks for the link, cute site. I saved to favorites. I'll cook the salmon & refreeze the Tilapia...I'll make it into breaded fish sticks no one will know the difference with the ketchup

 

[icebrat001]

I thought once you defrosted something that it couldn't be refrozen.

 

[nwdisgal]

I thought once you defrosted something that it couldn't be refrozen.

You can refreeze it, but it can affect taste, quality and texture.

 

[bicker]

The rule-of-thumb is:

Freeze thaw freeze. Not a good idea.

Freeze thaw cook freeze. No problem.

However, that's a matter of texture, typically, not safety.

This is what the USDA says:

Once food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through defrosting. After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods. If previously cooked foods are thawed in the refrigerator, you may refreeze the unused portion.

If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly.