Introducing how to freeze/thaw salmon roe and how long to store it [includes carefully selected recipes]

Did you know how much food can be frozen?

Salmon roe, a luxurious ingredient, shines like a jewel, and just by adding a small amount, it instantly transforms your dishes into a gorgeous party menu.

The season for salmon roe is autumn. If you get it cheap in the fall and freeze it, you can enjoy it deliciously on New Year's Day. If you want to improve cost performance, we recommend buying in bulk when it's cheap and storing it in the freezer.

When you purchase frozen food in bulk online, it is easier to use if you partially defrost it, divide it into portions, and store it in the freezer.

We'll show you how to freeze the luxurious salmon roe and 5 easy recipes.

Benefits of freezing salmon roe

Freezing salmon roe allows for long-term storage. Adding just a small amount can make a dish look gorgeous, but it can be expensive if you buy it when you use it.

We recommend buying when it's in season or when it's cheap, or buying it in bulk online or at Costco, dividing it into smaller portions, and freezing it. Especially during the New Year, there are many guests and there are many opportunities to cook fancy dishes.

Salmon roe, which is in season in autumn, can be frozen for up to a month, so you can keep it on hand until around the New Year. If you can freeze it properly and store it for a long time, you can buy it in bulk at a good price.

By keeping salmon roe on hand, you can prepare gorgeous dishes even if you have unexpected guests.

Freezing method

How to freeze raw salmon roe in small portions

1) Place a large piece of plastic wrap in an airtight container such as a Tupperware container that can be frozen.
2) Add the desired amount of salmon roe and wrap it tightly with the plastic wrap you laid out in step 1).
3) Lay more plastic wrap on top of 2), top with salmon roe and wrap.
4) Repeat step 3) until the lid does not collapse when closed, then close the lid and seal.
5) Refrigerate at a low temperature as soon as possible.

How to divide frozen salmon roe into portions and freeze them

1) Transfer the frozen salmon roe to the refrigerator and let it sit for 2 to 3 hours to partially thaw.
The time shown is a guideline, as it will vary depending on the amount and the condition of your refrigerator.
It's okay if you can loosen up. You can prevent deterioration by not completely thawing the food.
2) Divide into single-use portions and wrap in plastic wrap or place in aluminum cups.
3) Place in an airtight container such as a ziplock bag, remove air, and freeze at a low temperature as soon as possible.

[Key points when freezing]
In either method, it is important to avoid exposing the food to air and to freeze it quickly at a low temperature.
When freezing raw salmon roe in small portions, be careful not to crush it.
Wrapping it in aluminum foil with good heat conductivity or placing it in a metal bat will allow you to freeze it quickly at a low temperature.

Thawing method and storage period

How to defrost salmon roe

If you want to freeze the salmon roe, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator for half a day. If you really want to thaw it quickly, put it in a plastic bag, seal it, and then put it in ice water to thaw it.

If you are concerned about the quality of the food after it has been frozen for a long time, you can also heat it. You can enjoy it deliciously by adding it to stews while frozen, or cooking it as an ingredient in udon or spaghetti.

How much storage period

Frozen salmon roe has a shelf life of about one month. There are differences depending on the condition of the refrigerator and the condition before freezing, so be sure to check before eating.

If there are strings, smells, or broken grains, there is a high possibility that they are rotten and should be discarded.

5 easy recipes using frozen salmon roe

Easy festive food! Salmon parent and child mixed rice

☑材料2人分
・甘塩鮭　2切れ
・冷凍ご飯（炊いたご飯でも可）　茶碗3杯分
・酒　大さじ1
・冷凍いくら　大さじ3～4
・三つ葉（葉の部分）　4～5枚
・白煎り胡麻　大さじ1

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen salmon roe.
2) Put the salmon in a silicone steamer, sprinkle with sake, cover, and heat in a 600W microwave for about 6 minutes to cook completely.
If you don't have a silicone steamer, you can just cover a heat-resistant dish with plastic wrap.
If it is not heated enough, check the situation and heat it again.
3) Once cooled down, remove bones and skin, add thawed rice and mix.
4) Add sesame seeds and mitsuba leaves, mix gently, and serve in a bowl.
5) Garnish with salmon roe and it's done.
　　
If you want to cook rice, it's easier to put the salmon on top of the polished rice, sprinkle with sake, and then cook the rice. Sprinkling some seaweed on top will make it even more gorgeous and delicious.

Enjoy frozen! rich cream pasta

☑材料1人分
・パスタ　100ℊ
・冷凍ウニ　適量
・冷凍いくら　適量
・玉葱　1/4個
・しめじ　1/4房
・生クリーム　50㏄
・牛乳　50㏄
・味噌　小さじ1
・麺つゆ　大さじ2
・オリーブオイル　大さじ1

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen sea urchin and frozen salmon roe.
2) Heat a frying pan, add olive oil, and fry the onions.
3) When the onion becomes transparent, add the shimeji mushrooms and stir-fry further.
4) Boil the pasta for less time than the instructions on the package.
You can also use water pasta that has been soaked in salted water for about 3 to 5 hours.
5) Add the fresh cream and milk to the frying pan from 3), toss lightly, and add the mentsuyu and miso to adjust the taste.
6) Add the pasta and bring to a boil. Add the sea urchin and salmon roe, toss lightly, turn off the heat, and serve in a bowl. We also recommend sprinkling chopped seaweed or parsley at the end.

Easy and stylish! Consommé jelly

☑材料
・むき海老　適量
・枝豆　適量
・プチトマト　適量
・豆苗　適量・冷凍いくら　適量
・水　350㎖・顆粒コンソメ　4ℊ
・粉ゼラチン　3ℊ
・塩コショウ　適量

<How to make>
1) Dissolve the gelatin in 1 tablespoon of water (not listed) and thaw the frozen salmon roe.
2) Add water, peeled shrimp, and granulated consommé to a pot, bring to a boil, then season with salt and pepper.
3) After turning off the heat, add 1) and mix thoroughly to dissolve.
4) Pour 3) into a glass and garnish with cherry tomatoes and edamame beans taken out of the pods.
5) Once it has cooled down, put it in the refrigerator to cool and harden.
6) Once it has cooled down and solidified, add the bean sprouts and salmon roe and it's done.

Great for home parties! appetizer salad dip

☑材料
✩キャベツ100ℊ
✩ピーマン　1/2個
✩枝豆　鞘から出した状態で15ℊ
・マヨネーズ　大さじ2
・シーザードレッシング　小さじ2
・塩コショウ　少々
・クラッカー　6枚
・乾燥パセリ（無くてもOK）　少々
・冷凍いくら　少々

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen salmon roe.
2) Put the vegetables in ✩ into a multi-chopper and chop.
You can also roughly chop it with a knife.
3) Add mayonnaise and Caesar dressing, mix, and season with salt and pepper.
4) Place step 3 on a cracker, garnish with salmon roe, sprinkle with dried parsley, and it's done.

Stamina UP! Sticky colorful udon noodles

☑材料4人分
・乾燥うどん　300ℊ
・濃縮麺つゆ　大さじ4
・山芋（納豆でも可）　200ℊ
・水　100㏄
・オクラ　8本
・冷凍いくら　適量

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen salmon roe, boil the udon noodles according to the instructions on the package, and wash thoroughly with water.
2) Grate the yam, add the mentsuyu and water and mix.
Check the taste and if it seems too weak, add more mentsuyu to adjust the taste.
3) Arrange the udon noodles in a bowl and cover with 2).
4) Boil the okra with salt, cut it into rounds, and decorate with the salmon roe.

Conclusion

What do you think about how to freeze salmon roe and 5 easy recipes?

It's convenient to have salmon roe on hand because you can easily make it look gorgeous just by decorating it in small amounts, and you can make dishes for parties and entertaining. You can save money by buying in bulk when it's cheap and freezing it in small portions instead of buying it when you want to use it.

The key to freezing food is to avoid exposing it to air and to freeze it quickly and at a low temperature. If you receive a large amount of frozen food without dividing it into portions, it is convenient to partially thaw it in the refrigerator, then divide it into portions and freeze it.

Try out how to freeze salmon roe and some easy recipes that will make you feel luxurious even with a small amount.