Can You Freeze Spanish Mackerel?

Asking this question at the fishing pier may lead to a conflicting pool of answers.

One common question you may have is “can you freeze Spanish Mackerel?”

Many anglers warn against freezing Spanish Mackerel due to its high oil content. Some may say it will get mushy, smelly, and deteriorate. 

Table of Contents

• How To Freeze Spanish Mackerel
• How Long Can Spanish Mackerel Be Frozen?
  • How to Tell if Frozen Fish Has Gone Bad
• How Does Freezing Affect Spanish Mackerel?
• Best Way to Defrost Spanish Mackerel
• Can You Refreeze Spanish Mackerel?
• Conclusion

How To Freeze Spanish Mackerel

You may be ready to throw that extra mackerel away but hold on, there is still hope. Given the proper precautions, Spanish Mackerel can be kept frozen just as well as any other fish. Here’s how:

After you catch a Spanish mackerel you should immediately put it on ice or better yet, make a slurry with ice and saltwater in your cooler. This will keep the fish at sub-freezing temperatures until you can put it in your freezer.

Before you even think about freezing your Spanish mackerel you should bleed it, fillet it, and cut out the bloodline.

Doing so will prevent any unwanted flavors from seeping into the meat from the blood or guts of the fish and also prolong the time until it spoils.

If you know that you plan to freeze your Spanish mackerel, don’t delay. Put your fillets in the freezer immediately, not the fridge.

You want to keep it as fresh as possible before you freeze it so that it will have maximum freshness when thawed.

The best way to store Spanish mackerel fillets in the freezer is to vacuum seal them.

First, pat them dry to prevent ice crystals from forming, and wrap each individual fillet in plastic wrap. Then place them in your vacuum seal bags, remove the air, and place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

Many of us don’t have access to a food vacuum sealer, but any Ziploc-style bag also works well, just make sure to remove as much air as possible.

A great method for doing this is to put your fillets in and then partially submerge the bag underwater to force the air out of the opening.

How Long Can Spanish Mackerel Be Frozen?

If you take all of these precautions your Spanish Mackerel should be fresh for up to 3 months and taste nearly as good as the day you caught it. 

If you are looking to freeze mackerel for bait, it follows the freezing rules of other bait fish such as mullet.

How to Tell if Frozen Fish Has Gone Bad

If you are unsure whether or not your frozen catch is still edible, don’t worry, there are lots of signs to look for to tell if fish is good or bad. 

• Flesh changing color: Usually the flesh will turn gray or yellow when it gets rancid. It can also have smaller spots of discoloration that indicate that it hasn’t been stored properly

• Bad smells: If your fillets are smelling fishier than when you put them in, they may be starting to decompose.

• Ice crystals: Ice accumulating on your fish inside of the packaging means that it has gotten freezer burn and the texture will most likely be ruined.

How Does Freezing Affect Spanish Mackerel?

If you do everything right you might not even notice a difference between fresh and frozen Spanish mackerel. You may, however, see that the flesh has lost a little bit of firmness and that “freshly caught” taste. This is perfectly normal. 

Best Way to Defrost Spanish Mackerel

Plan to defrost your fish the night before you use it for the best results.

Unwrap your mackerel from the packaging you froze it in, place it in a covered bowl, and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Do not thaw at room temperature. This will ensure that it defrosts evenly and completely.

Can You Refreeze Spanish Mackerel?

Absolutely not. Refreezing any fish destroys the consistency of the flesh and also puts it at higher risk for contamination of foodborne illness. Only remove what you want to eat from the freezer.

Conclusion

Although Spanish Mackerel might not be the most ideal fish to store in your freezer, using these precautions will ensure that it stays delicious and has a long shelf life so you can get your seafood fix without having to break out the rod and reel.

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