Defrosting individual frozen fish fillets---- in their plastic packets, or not?
The directions in the packet says to remove the plastic packets first before defrosting. But the packet helps to manage the mess and stops fishy water running all over the place. I defrost them by submerging them in room temp. water.
Is there any danger in defrosting them in their original packet?
Best Answer
If you defrost in water, by all means keep the plastic on. If it weren't wrapped, you'd put it in a baggie anyway and not dump it directly into the water.
The instructions to unwrap are for defrosting in the fridge and to allow the water to run off. Fish is often covered in a thin protective layer of ice, which you want to be able to drain instead of staying on for a long time.
For the relatively short time in a defrosting water bath, you will be fine. Just pat the fish dry before frying or you get a lot of spattering.
From a food-safety perspective you should be using cold water, btw, it works just as well and you can be sure your fish stays out of the danger zone.
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Quick Answer about "Defrosting individual frozen fish fillets---- in their plastic packets, or not?"
If you defrost in water, by all means keep the plastic on. If it weren't wrapped, you'd put it in a baggie anyway and not dump it directly into the water. The instructions to unwrap are for defrosting in the fridge and to allow the water to run off.Can you thaw frozen fish in packaging?
There is an easy solution. Either take the fish out of the package or simply cut a hole in the vacuum package to allow air inside before putting the fish into the refrigerator to thaw. This is no longer an anaerobic environment. So no longer risky.Why do you have to remove fish from packaging before thawing?
When vacuum-packaged fish is not properly stored and thawed it has the potential to create a deadly toxin that can harm consumers. Fish is a known source of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum type E. This bacteria is a spore former that can grow at temperatures above 38F and without oxygen \u2013 such as a vacuum package.Can you thaw fish in plastic?
The short answer: botulism develops only at specific temperatures and if there is little to no oxygen present. To eliminate risk, avoid thawing your fish in an intact vacuum package. Botulism toxin, while scary, is easily destroyed by heating your food to at least 185\u2109 for five minutes.What is the recommended way to thaw a package of frozen fish fillets?
Key TakeawaysHow to Properly Quick Thaw Frozen Fish
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