[Explanation with photos] Freezing and storage period of yellowtail fillets, carefully selected recipes!

Have you ever thought, ``I wish I could buy a lot of fatty, nutritious yellowtail at once and store it in the freezer.''

Although it is not well known, yellowtail is an ingredient that can be frozen.

If you try the freezing method we'll introduce below, you can store foods that can only be stored for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator for nearly 10 times as long.

We also introduce the optimal thawing method, storage period, and recipes depending on the freezing method, so please read until the end.

Nutrition of yellowtail

Nutritional value and calories of yellowtail

The calorie content is 257kcal per 100g, and the composition of the three major nutrients is as follows.

Protein 21.4g
Fat 17.6g
Carbohydrate 0.3g
Reference: Japanese Food Standard Composition Table 2010

You can see that protein and fat make up the majority of calories.
Fish fat is extremely healthy as it also contains unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are effective against lifestyle-related diseases.

In addition, yellowtail contains the following nutrients:

【mineral】
Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese

【vitamin】
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid

It contains a variety of nutrients, especially vitamins B, E, and iron.

Efficacy of yellowtail

Benefit #1: Improve your energy metabolism for a body that doesn't get tired.

"I don't feel well..."
"I can't get rid of the fatigue from work..."

In such cases, proteins, fats, and vitamin B are effective.

When you are tired or unmotivated, your body is running out of energy. Protein and fat are sources of energy, so by consuming them you can charge your body with energy.
Also, by taking vitamin B at the same time, you will be able to smoothly convert the food you eat into energy.

Through these functions, you can obtain a body that does not run out of energy and does not get tired.

Benefit 2: Prevents lifestyle-related diseases by making blood thinner

Yellowtail fat contains unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Unsaturated fatty acids are fats that are found in large quantities in fish and have the effect of thinning the blood.

If you eat thick, greasy foods on a daily basis, your blood will become more viscous and thicker. This greatly increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.

On the other hand, by incorporating unsaturated fatty acids into your body, the blood in your body becomes smoother and flows more smoothly. This reduces the risk of blood vessel blockage and reduces the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.

What's more, yellowtail is a very filling fish, so it can be used as a satisfying substitute for meat.

Advantages of freezing yellowtail

Allows long-term storage

The first advantage is that it can be stored for a long time.

Yellowtail in season is really delicious and reasonably priced, but it doesn't last long. Even if stored in the refrigerator, it will last for 2 to 3 days. In the meantime, freshness is gradually lost.

At times like this, you should try freezing. Refrigerating can only keep food for 2 to 3 days, but freezing allows it to last many times longer.

If it becomes possible to store food for a long time, it will be possible to buy large quantities at once, which will have a positive effect on household finances.

Reduces cooking time

The second benefit is that it reduces cooking time. This is effective when pre-seasoned and frozen.

As I will explain later, one method of freezing is to put seasonings in a freezer bag and pickle the yellowtail fillet there.

If you use this method, the flavor of the seasoning will seep into the fillet between freezing and thawing.
If you do this, all you have to do is defrost and bake. Cooks in less time.

Also, if you pre-season the food, you can put it in a freezer bag and seal it, so you can get a strong flavor with less seasoning.
As a result, this will lead to healthier dishes with less salt.

How to freeze yellowtail

Here we will explain how to freeze yellowtail fillet.
Please note that freezing sashimi is not recommended as the texture will be greatly affected after thawing.

When freezing one slice at a time

1. Wipe the water thoroughly and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

2. Place in a freezer bag and freeze.

When marinating and freezing

1. Add the teriyaki sauce to a freezer bag (how to make the sauce is in the recipe section).

2. Place the fillets in a freezer bag and freeze.

When salt-grilled and frozen

1. Sprinkle salt on the fillets and grill.

2. Once it has cooled down, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap.

3. Place in a freezer bag and freeze.

How to thaw yellowtail and storage period

How to defrost yellowtail

No matter which method you use to freeze it, please thaw it in the refrigerator.

If you want to use it for dinner, put it in the freezer that morning, or if you want to make it as a side dish for a lunch box, put it in the freezer the night before.

​If you want to thaw it quickly, we recommend thawing it in ice water.
Defrosting in ice water is a method of thawing food by filling a bowl with ice water and submerging the freezer bag in it.
It is characterized by being able to thaw faster than defrosting in the refrigerator and using less water than defrosting under running water.

If you're in a hurry, thawing in the microwave is a last resort.
However, microwave ovens tend to cause uneven thawing and overheating, so it is best to use them only as a last resort.

Storage period of yellowtail

No matter which method you use for freezing, please plan on keeping it for up to 3 weeks.
If fresh and properly frozen, it can be stored for this length of time.

On the other hand, if you freeze something that is not fresh or if you repeatedly take it in and out of the freezer, the quality will deteriorate even while frozen.
Please note that the taste and flavor may have deteriorated even before the recommended 3 weeks.

>> [How long does frozen meat and fish last? 】Best before date and tips for extending the best before date

5 easy recipes using yellowtail

Boiled in sleet

☑材料（2人分）
・ぶり　2~4切れ
・大根　5㎝分
●めんつゆ（3倍希釈）　小さじ1
●すりおろししょうが　小さじ1/2
◆水　大さじ4
◆めんつゆ（3倍希釈）　大さじ1
・小麦粉　適量

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen yellowtail in the refrigerator or in ice water.
2) Wipe off excess water and soak in the seasoning ● for about 10 minutes (if you freeze it with seasoning, skip this step).
3) Wipe off the liquid from (2) and sprinkle a thin layer of flour all over.
4) Heat oil in a frying pan and brown both sides of (3).
5) Add the grated daikon radish and the seasonings ◆ and simmer for about 5 minutes over medium-low heat.

yellowtail radish

☑材料（2人分）
・ぶり　2~3切れ
・大根　1/4本
・すりおろししょうが　小さじ1
・水　1000cc
・砂糖　大さじ2
・醤油　100cc
・酒　100c

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen yellowtail in the refrigerator or in ice water.
2) Peel the daikon radish and cut it into 1.5cm-thick half-moons.
3) Put the radish in a pot, add water (not listed) until it covers the radish, and bring to a boil. .
4) Once it boils, simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
5) Drain the radish in a colander, add 1000cc of water, soy sauce, sake, sugar, and ginger to a pot and bring to a boil.
6) When it boils, add yellowtail and radish.
7) Cover with a lid and let it sit on medium heat for 20 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes.
8) Once the flavor has soaked in, it's done.

Teriyaki

☑材料（4人分）
・ぶり　4切れ
●醤油　大さじ3
●酒　大さじ3
●砂糖　大さじ3
●みりん　大さじ2
・片栗粉　少々

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen yellowtail in the refrigerator or in ice water.
2) Put the seasonings (●) in a bowl and marinate (1) for 20 to 30 minutes (if you have seasoned and frozen, skip this step).
3) Lightly wipe dry with kitchen paper and sprinkle potato starch on both sides.
4) Heat oil in a frying pan and fry over low to medium heat. Once it's slightly browned, flip it over.
5) Once both sides are grilled, add the remaining sauce and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes to bring out the shine.

Miso pickled

☑材料（2人分）
・ぶり　2切れ
・しょうが　1かけ
●醤油　小さじ1
●味噌　小さじ1
●酒　小さじ1
●みりん　小さじ1
●砂糖　小さじ1
●ほんだし　小さじ1/4
●水　大さじ2
●おろししょうが　適量

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen yellowtail in the refrigerator or in ice water.
2) Put water, ginger, and (1) in a small pot and simmer over medium heat for about 4 minutes.
3) Boil down the seasonings in a frying pan, add the yellowtail, mix with the sauce, and it's done.

★Separate heating allows for shorter cooking times.

Fisherman flavored miso soup

☑材料（2人分）
・ぶり　200g
●玉ねぎ　1/4
●しめじ　1ふさ
●白菜　100g
●水　400cc
・だしの素　小さじ1
・味噌　大さじ1

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen yellowtail in the refrigerator or in ice water.
2) Cut the onion and Chinese cabbage into 1cm wide pieces, and lightly loosen the shimeji mushrooms.
3) Place water, onions, yellowtail, shimeji mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage in a container in this order, cover with plastic wrap, and heat in the microwave (600W for 6 minutes).
4) Add the dashi stock and miso and warm it in the microwave again (600W for 2 minutes) and it's done.

Conclusion

How do you freeze yellowtail?

Freeze the fillet as is, season it and freeze it, grill it with salt and freeze it. I introduced three methods, but the most recommended is to season and freeze.
After all, it is attractive that you can add a strong flavor with a small amount of seasonings and that you can significantly shorten the cooking time.

If you want to thaw the food, you can thaw it slowly in the refrigerator, or if you are in a hurry, use ice water to thaw it quickly while saving water.

If you have bought a lot at the supermarket, please try this method.

>> Click here for how to freeze meat

>> Click here for how to freeze fish

>> Click here for other ways to freeze vegetables