Buying Seafood
Seafood is a highly perishable food. Be sure to purchase your fish from a reputable supplier with proven safe seafood handling practices. After that, it’s up to you!
Always be sure to pick out seafood items at the end of your shopping trip – removing them from refrigeration at the last possible moment. Pack your seafood items with other cold items in the same grocery bag. Do not pack edibles in the same bag with chemical products or fragranced items such as dryer sheets.
Use these indicators to ensure the fillets are fresh:
- LOOK: A fresh fillet should have a nice shine to it. This indicates the fish has not dried out (if previously frozen, expect less shine). Dull flesh may indicate the fish is not as fresh as possible. There should be no discoloration (darkening, browning or yellowing of the edges). The bloodline of a Tilapia fillet, for example, should be a nice shade of red or maroon, not brown.
- TOUCH: The fish should be cold to the touch. The flesh should be firm. Press the flesh with your finger (or ask your fish monger to). If the pressure leaves a lasting indentation, the fish is probably safe to eat, but perhaps not as fresh as it could be.
- SMELL: All fish should have a ‘sea or bay breeze’ and mild smell – not a ‘fishy’ or ammonia smell. Smell is perhaps the best indication of whether your fish is fresh or not. If the fish has been marinated or breaded by your grocer, we recommend using smell as your best judge for freshness.
For whole fish, indicators of freshness include clear eyes which bulge a little, moist, firm skin which, like fillets, will not keep a lasting indentation when pressed with your finger and a mild sea or bay breeze smell.
Handling & Storing Seafood
Once you’ve purchased your seafood, refrigerate it as soon as possible (within half an hour of buying).
If necessary, use a small cooler or ice packs to keep your seafood cool on your way home.
Immediately upon arriving home, remove the fish from its fish counter packaging (make sure your hands, all utensils and surfaces are clean).
Rinse the tilapia with cold water and pat dry with a fresh paper towel.
Cook your fish right away to ensure the tastiest meal and always cook fresh fish within 2 days of purchase.
If storing your fish for later, place the fillets on a clean plate, pan or other non-metal surface and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure that your refrigerator is cooling to 32°F. Warmer temperatures will cause the quality of your fillets to deteriorate quickly.
If fillets smell fishy or ammonia-like at any point, they should be discarded.
If you do not plan to use your fillets within 2 days of purchase, wrap them tightly in plastic and then foil, label the package with the date and place in your freezer.
Your fillets will remain fresh while frozen, if packaged properly.
Thawing Seafood
To thaw frozen fillets remove them from your freezer and place them (still in their packing) on a plate in your refrigerator for 24 hours.
Allow to thaw while refrigerated. Never thaw fish at room temperature – this will increase bacteria, cause the fish to lose fluid, and hasten deterioration of the flesh.
Alternative thawing methods:
- Run the fillets under cold water, or place them in cold water (replenish every 30 minutes) until completely thawed.
- In a microwave, use the lowest defrost setting, and avoid overheating which will cause the fish to cook.
Defrosted fish should be fully cooked immediately after thawing.
Cooking Seafood
Always ensure that your hands, all surfaces and utensils are clean.
Rinse your fillets under cold water (pat dry with a paper towel) and follow your favorite recipe.
Clean all cutting boards, utensils and surfaces that have come in contact with your fresh fish quickly after use.
Regardless of method, the internal temperature should reach between 140-145°F. Monitoring your fish as it cooks is the best way to ensure the perfect outcome.
If you test your fillet with a fork, you will know it is done if the meat flakes easily.
You should never eat undercooked fish.
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers – use within 2 days.